Zalando connects offline and online more

Zalando is expanding its cooperation with brick-and-mortar stores that are connected to the Zalando platform to 600 by the end of this year. This so-called 'Connected Retail Model' will be internationalised in 2019. "Connected Retail is a central component of the Zalando platform. 600 stores prove that the integration of online and offline channels has very positive effects for everyone: for the customer, the store manager and for Zalando. We will, therefore, roll out the model with a large number of other partners over the coming months," says Carsten Keller, VP Direct to Consumer at Zalando. Connected Retail is set for internationalisation in 2019, with the Netherlands being one of the target markets.

Through Connected Retail, partners of Zalando can take orders from Zalando customers themselves and ship the goods directly from their physical stores. "In the future, we will also use the model for same-day or next-day deliveries, as our partners' offline stores are often closer to the customer than a central warehouse is," explains Keller.

Zalando is developing an outfit algorithm, the 'Algorithmic Fashion Companion' (AFC), which generates outfits based on the wishlist and shopping history, to provide consumers with more tailor-made suggestions for products. These personal styling tips will be spread in all 17 countries Zalando is active. Find a video of this new algorithm here.