L. Yltävä
Research expert
Zalando - statistics & facts
Since its launch onto the Berlin startup scene in 2008, fashion and lifestyle retail company Zalando has become one of the most successful online retailers in Europe, especially in the fashion segment. The retailer’s biggest markets are Germany, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. In its headquarters country, Germany, Zalando is no longer an online-only retailer. After successfully launching its first physical store in Berlin in 2018, Zalando now operates outlet stores in 15 other city locations across Germany.
Zalando has been leading the way in integrating AI-driven shopping experiences in Europe’s online fashion sector. While the long-term impact of this investment is still uncertain, the company's recent financial reports indicate an increased growth in revenue, possibly due to enhanced customer experiences.
A slow comeback
The COVID-19 pandemic skyrocketed Zalando’s market capitalization to an all-time high of 28.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. That year, Zalando profited from the massive shift toward online shopping, and its year-over-year (YoY) revenue grew by nearly 47 percent. However, Zalando and other online retailers felt the financial impact of the pullback when traditional brick-and-mortar stores reopened and the following cost-of-living crisis. In 2023, Zalando’s market cap dwindled to 6.2 billion U.S. dollars, however, it is not all doom and gloom. Its market cap has slowly picked up, reaching 8.5 billion U.S. dollars as of October 2024. Its YoY revenue development also climbed from being in the negatives, reaching 3.4 percent in the second quarter of 2024, signaling a slight recovery.Zalando’s investment in AI-tools
Zalando has heavily invested in developing artificial intelligence (AI) features to create a more fun and engaging shopping experience on their platform. One such feature is a conversational AI shopping assistant available on their app. Users can chat with this assistant, and ask for product recommendations based on their budget, mood, occasion, and even weather conditions. The AI-assistant gives tailored recommendations based on Zalando’s assortment, making product discovery easier than ever before on their site. Additionally, Zalando’s “Trend Spotter” tool uses AI to identify current and emerging fashion trends in major European fashion capitals, by analyzing data from users’ wish lists and shopping baskets. The new feature gives consumers insights into what styles, colors, and products are popular on the continent, further driving sales.Zalando has been leading the way in integrating AI-driven shopping experiences in Europe’s online fashion sector. While the long-term impact of this investment is still uncertain, the company's recent financial reports indicate an increased growth in revenue, possibly due to enhanced customer experiences.
