Zalando Investor Relations Material

Zalando, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is an online platform that specializes in fashion retail. It was established in 2008 and currently operates in over 15 European markets. The company offers a selection of over 300,000 products, encompassing more than 2,000 brands. Its main selling point is its online shopping platform which combines user-friendly navigation, various payment options, and efficient delivery services with a vast selection of various fashion apparel and accessories.

Zalando's journey began with selling flip-flops and has since transformed into a fashion giant Their offerings include including big names like Adidas, Calvin Klein, and Michael Kors. Founders Robert Gentz and David Schneider, initially inspired by US-based Zappos, sought to bring a similar comprehensive online shopping experience to the European market, focusing particularly on shoes. Today, the company sells just about everything within apparel, even if they still offer a vast selection of shoes.

The cornerstone of Zalando's success is its dedication to providing an exceptional customer experience. The platform's interface is user-friendly, with a personalized, AI-driven recommendation system that tailors product suggestions to individual customer preferences. Zalando also offers flexible payment options and a generous return policy, ensuring that the online shopping experience is as frictionless as possible.

Zalando's extensive logistics network plays a significant role in its service quality. The company operates several large fulfillment centers across Europe to ensure quick and efficient delivery. It has also recently piloted same-day delivery services in select cities, further enhancing customer satisfaction. Despite stiff competition from global giants like ASOS and Amazon, Zalando holds a strong position in the European online fashion market.

Over the years, Zalando has evolved from a simple e-retailer to a full-scale online platform. It launched Zalando Lounge, a shopping club for special sales and premium brands, and Zalon, a personal styling service. One of Zalando's strategies is the Connected Retail program, integrating physical stores with its online platform. Through this initiative, brick-and-mortar retailers can sell their products on Zalando's site, with the company taking care of digital infrastructure and logistics. This approach has not only widened Zalando's product range but also provided a solution to physical retailers struggling with the shift toward online shopping.