Zalando Accelerates Sustainability Strategy

Online fashion retailer Zalando has reported a satisfactory 2021 and plans to invest further in sustainable strategies.

Zalando generated sales of 10.35 billion euros in the 2021 fiscal year, reporting a net profit of 235 million euros. Total assets amounted to 6.90 billion euros, with an equity ratio of 32.18 percent.

According to the company, the number of products increased from around 80,000 to 140,000, and the sales share of gross merchandise volume (GMV) was 21.6 percent, up from 16 percent a year earlier. This year, said the company says, the fashion platform is focusing on avoiding and minimizing packaging waste, with a complete switch from plastic to paper for shipping bags.

Zalando would continue to invest in its European logistics network, the company announced at the presentation of its financial statements. Zalando’s twelve logistics centers in seven countries already form one of the largest fashion logistics networks in Europe. By 2023, the company plans to expand the existing network by four logistics centers and is planning investments of 400 to 500 million euros for this purpose this year. In the next twelve months, Zalando also wants to make its logistics infrastructure available to its partners for their direct-to-consumer sales.

Zalando accelerates sustainability initiatives

In 2022, Zalando will place special focus on minimizing packaging waste and switching completely from plastic to paper shipping bags, as well as making packaging for orders even more custom-fit.

David Schneider, co-CEO of Zalando, says: “As we grow as a company, we want to use our strong position to drive positive change in the fashion industry. In 2022, we will work even harder to achieve our sustainability goals and help our customers make choices that are in line with their values.”