Zalando and ZEOS Panel Reveals How Brands Can Build Profitability Through Customer Value and Logistics Innovation

Zalando and ZEOS Panel Reveals How Brands Can Build Profitability Through Customer Value and Logistics Innovation

(IN BRIEF) Leaders from Zalando and ZEOS convened for a strategic panel discussion exploring how fashion and lifestyle brands can drive profitability amid market disruption. Key themes included a shift in consumer values toward quality and purpose, the evolution of off-price retail as a strategic asset, and the critical role of logistics in customer satisfaction. With seamless delivery now a baseline expectation and virtual stock pools offering operational flexibility, the panel emphasized that brands must adapt quickly by focusing on customer value and smart logistics to thrive in an unpredictable retail environment.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 25-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — In a rapidly changing fashion and lifestyle landscape marked by cost pressures, shifting consumer expectations, and evolving retail strategies, industry leaders from Zalando and ZEOS came together in an expert panel discussion to share how brands can strengthen profitability while navigating ongoing disruption. The key insight? Brands that succeed will be those that truly understand and deliver what their customers value.

During the 25-minute panel, titled “Profitability through Disruption: A New Playbook for Fashion & Lifestyle”, Zalando’s VP of Strategy Damien Dutheil emphasized that today’s shoppers—especially younger generations—are prioritizing value beyond price alone. Quality, durability, innovative materials, and clear brand purpose are central to the buying decision. “It’s not just about cost,” said Dutheil. “Consumers are investing in products that match their values and expectations.”

Off-price retail, once considered a last-ditch effort for unsold stock, is now a dynamic, customer-centric strategy. Kenneth Melchior, VP of Lounge by Zalando, described off-price as “a planned phase of inventory management,” playing a dual role in customer acquisition and brand storytelling. Notably, more than half of Lounge customers eventually shop at full price on Zalando, revealing the channel’s long-term brand value.

Logistics, too, has emerged as a critical success factor. Jan Bartels, SVP at ZEOS, reframed logistics as a core element of marketing. With 80% of shoppers expecting seamless delivery and returns, operational excellence is essential to customer satisfaction and loyalty. “Logistics is the new marketing,” Bartels said. “Reliable delivery is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s expected.”

The panel also explored the importance of operational flexibility in today’s complex market. The era of siloed, in-house logistics is giving way to intelligent, shared systems. Leveraging virtual stock pools and advanced orchestration allows brands to better manage inventory, reduce overstock and markdowns, and fulfil demand across multiple channels. This hybrid, agile approach, backed by technology, is essential for staying competitive.

Moderator Maria Villablanca summed up the discussion with a powerful insight: “Disruption isn’t something to resist—it’s something to prepare for.” The panel concluded that by focusing on what customers value most and investing in smart logistics, fashion and lifestyle brands can create a future that is both flexible and profitable.

Watch the full expert panel, “Profitability through disruption: A new playbook for fashion & lifestyle” for a 25-minute discussion with leaders from ZEOS and Zalando here.

About Zalando

Founded in Berlin in 2008, Zalando is Europe’s leading online multi-brand fashion destination. We are building a pan-European ecosystem for fashion and lifestyle e-commerce, along two growth vectors: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B). In B2C, we provide an inspiring, high-quality multi-brand shopping experience for fashion and lifestyle products to more than 52 million active customers across 25 markets. In B2B, we leverage our logistics infrastructure, software, and service capabilities to support brands and retailers in managing and scaling their entire e-commerce business, both on and off the Zalando platform. Through our ecosystem vision, Zalando aims to enable positive change in the fashion and lifestyle industry.

Media Contact:

Corporate Communications
press@zalando.com

SOURCE: Zalando