Zalando
Europe's leading online fashion platform.
Founded in 2008 by Robert Gentz and David Schneider in Berlin, Germany, Zalando started as a simple online shoe store inspired by Zappos in the United States. With a game-changing free shipping and returns policy, the company disrupted European fashion retail and rapidly expanded beyond shoes into clothing, accessories, and beauty. Today, Zalando is Europe's largest online fashion platform, serving over 50 million active customers across 25 European markets with more than 4,500 brand partners. The company went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in October 2014 and has since evolved into a platform business connecting brands directly with consumers, also offering logistics infrastructure and marketing services to its brand partners.
Active Founders
Robert Gentz
Co-Founder / Co-CEO
Robert Gentz is the co-founder and Co-CEO of Zalando. He studied business informatics and met David Schneider while both were students in Berlin. Robert initially started Zalando as a side project after being inspired by the success of Zappos in the US. He has played a central role in shaping Zalando's technology and platform strategy, helping transform the company from an online shoe retailer into Europe's most sophisticated fashion ecosystem.
David Schneider
Co-Founder / Co-CEO
David Schneider is the co-founder and Co-CEO of Zalando. With a background in business and management, David focused on Zalando's commercial strategy, brand partnerships, and market expansion across Europe. His understanding of fashion retail and consumer behavior helped Zalando build one of Europe's strongest e-commerce brands. The pair have jointly led Zalando through its IPO and its transformation into a full-scale fashion platform serving tens of millions of European shoppers.