NEXT Partners with Zalando’s ZEOS to Streamline Online Fulfilment Across Europe

(IN BRIEF) British fashion retailer NEXT has partnered with ZEOS, Zalando’s B2B unit, to manage its direct-to-consumer online orders across most of continental Europe starting in Q4 2025. This collaboration extends their existing relationship, with ZEOS handling NEXT’s own webshop and marketplace operations alongside Zalando-based business. By leveraging ZEOS’ unified logistics platform and advanced inventory management, NEXT aims to improve delivery speed, stock availability, and customer experience. The partnership also expands ZEOS’ multi-channel fulfilment services to 24 countries, enhancing inventory distribution and operational efficiency for both companies.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 21-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — NEXT, the British fashion retailer, has signed a landmark agreement with ZEOS, Zalando’s B2B unit, to manage most of its direct-to-consumer online orders in continental Europe. This collaboration will simplify NEXT’s logistics operations and boost inventory efficiency through a unified stock pool. The partnership marks a significant milestone for ZEOS, strengthening its presence both on and off the Zalando platform.

Starting in Q4 2025, ZEOS will handle fulfilment for NEXT’s own webshop and other European marketplace operations, expanding the scope of their relationship beyond Zalando Fulfilment Solutions (ZFS), which has previously managed NEXT’s Zalando-based business.

ZEOS aims to create an integrated operating system for the fashion and lifestyle industry, providing brands with tools to manage multi-channel operations across Europe. For NEXT, ZEOS will connect its continental operations with the retailer’s UK logistics network via an advanced order management system, ensuring seamless inventory management. NEXT will also gain access to a diverse network of local carriers, optimizing delivery and returns for an improved customer experience.

The partnership will enable ZEOS to expand its fulfilment services to 24 countries and enhance its inventory distribution capabilities, ensuring faster delivery times and improved stock availability.

Simon Wolfson, CEO of NEXT, stated: “This partnership combines Zalando’s outstanding operational infrastructure in continental Europe with the growing reach and strength of the NEXT brand. Our aim is to enhance stock availability and delivery speed for both our customers and Zalando’s.”

Jan Bartels, SVP of ZEOS, emphasized the importance of the collaboration: “We are excited to deepen our partnership with NEXT, a brand renowned for its operational excellence and customer focus. This agreement reinforces ZEOS’ mission to deliver scalable, multi-channel solutions for brands across Europe.”

The partnership reflects the evolving landscape of e-commerce, where seamless logistics and customer satisfaction are increasingly central to brand success. By joining forces, NEXT and ZEOS are poised to elevate operational efficiency and meet the growing demands of European consumers.

About NEXT

NEXT plc (LON: NXT) is an FTSE 100 company based in Leicester, England, and is one of the UK’s leading online clothing retailers. NEXT has around 460 stores in the UK and Ireland and an online presence in over 70 countries selling the NEXT brand and over 700 other fashion, home and beauty brands. NEXT has traded on the Zalando website since 2015.

About ZEOS

ZEOS is part of Zalando SE, leveraging the company’s infrastructure, technology, and expertise to build an operating system for fashion & lifestyle. Established in 2023, ZEOS is developing tools that allow brands and retailers to manage their multi-channel business in one place, for e-commerce transactions on and off Zalando. ZEOS builds on Zalando’s technology and infrastructure, comprising a pan-European network of 12 logistics centres, around 20 returns centres and more than 40 local transport service providers.

Media Contact:

Corporate Communications
press@zalando.com

SOURCE: Zalando

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