Founded in Germany, it now counts more than 51 million active customers in over 20 countries. Through its platform, it enables companies to sell directly to consumers while keeping full control of pricing, catalogue and logistics.
Key Features and Services
Zalando hosts over 7,000 brands of fashion, footwear, accessories and cosmetics, ranging from global names to emerging and local labels. It operates through the Partner Program, which allows brands, retailers and distributors to sell directly to customers with complete control of prices, stock and product information.
The main categories include menswear, womenswear and articles for children, footwear, accessories, lingerie, sportswear, jewellery, watches, cosmetics and beauty products.
The platform currently has more than 51 million active customers across 26 European markets.
Customer service is multilingual and available by phone, email and chat, offering quick responses and dedicated support for returns and refunds. The shopping experience is paramount and highly curated, with free shipping and returns, a 100-day return policy, real-time order tracking and a mobile-friendly interface.
Revenue
According to Fortune Italia, Zalando’s total revenue in 2024 was €10.6 billion, representing an increase of 4.2% compared with 2023.
Eligible Products
Only original, new and labelled products are accepted, covering the categories of fashion, footwear, accessories, beauty, lingerie and swimwear. Items must comply with EU quality standards and regulations. For hygiene reasons, lingerie, swimwear and other products in direct contact with the skin are excluded from the pre-owned channel.
Accessibility for Italian Companies
To join the partner program, Italian companies must meet a series of technical, commercial and legal requirements that ensure product quality and a consistent shopping experience. A valid VAT number is required, as well as proof of brand ownership or an authorised distribution contract. Products must comply with EU standards on safety, labelling and traceability. Registration is carried out through Z-Direct, the official partner portal that manages catalogues, orders, campaigns and statistics.
From a commercial perspective, only the approved product categories are eligible and items must always be new, original and correctly packaged. A structured digital catalogue with high-quality images, detailed descriptions and accurate stock data is required. On the technical side, integration can be managed through API, e-commerce connectors such as Shopify or Magento, or certified technical partners. Companies must be able to handle orders efficiently, including tracking updates, returns and dispatch within the service levels defined by Zalando.
Logistics must guarantee free delivery and returns across all chosen markets per Zalando’s policy, either through Zalando’s own solutions or self-managed fulfilment. Packaging, labelling and documentation must meet Zalando’s standards. On the customer experience side, partners are expected to align with Zalando’s 100-day return policy and maintain high satisfaction levels. While not mandatory, having an active E-commerce site or a strong online presence is recommended to support onboarding and enhance brand credibility.
Countries
Zalando is now active in 26 European markets, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Croatia.
Commissions
Sales commissions vary between 5% and 25%, depending on the product category and price range. Categories with higher turnover or Premium positioning generally have lower commissions, while niche or low-margin categories may have higher rates. Commissions are applied only to items sold and already include access to the platform and visibility on the marketplace.
Additional costs may apply in two cases. With Zalando fulfillment solutions (ZFS), companies choosing Zalando’s logistics services pay specific fees based on volume, item size and markets served. With Zalando marketing services (ZMS), paid campaigns such as influencer marketing or customised content require separate investment depending on the activity and budget.
Payment Systems
Accepted payment methods include credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, bank transfer and cash on delivery. Payments are managed by Zalando payments, which processes more than 250 million orders annually in compliance with regulatory standards.
Advertising
Marketing solutions are offered through Zalando marketing services (ZMS), the tools provided help with data-driven campaigns, customised content and influencer collaborations. The Ad Manager tool, integrated in Z-Direct, allows brands to launch sponsored campaigns such as sponsored products or sponsored collections, monitor results in real time and optimise visibility directly within the Zalando platform.
Logistics Services
Partners may choose Zalando fulfillment solutions (ZFS) for full logistics management, from warehousing to returns, or Zalando shipping solutions (ZSS) for pan-European deliveries using Zalando’s network. They can also manage logistics independently, provided they comply with Zalando’s standards, including free shipping and returns, and use approved couriers.
Customer and Seller Support
Customer assistance is available via chat, online form and phone. For partners, the Zalando partner portal provides resources, training and operational tools designed to support brands in managing their business effectively.
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