Outlets by Zalando: giving clothing, footwear and accessories a second chance
Outlets by Zalando: giving clothing, footwear and accessories a second chance
How we offer goods from our online shop, refurbished returns, and pre-owned items at attractive prices, giving fashion a second life.
How we offer goods from our online shop, refurbished returns, and pre-owned items at attractive prices, giving fashion a second life.
At our outlet stores, you'll find a constantly changing selection of our own brands and other popular brands, all reduced by up to 70%. But have you ever wondered where all these great pieces actually come from? Dorothee Schönfeld, Director Outlets at Zalando, gives us a look behind the scenes, so you know exactly how your favourite items make their way to our outlets.
What kind of products are available in the outlets, and where do all the items that make their way there come from?
Dorothee Schönfeld: In our outlet stores, customers can find a selection of items from our women's, men's, premium, kids', accessories, sports, and home categories. We also complement the assortment with new products from the Beauty category. The articles you find in our stores are not produced specifically for outlet sale; they come directly from the regular Zalando fashion and lifestyle environment. A large portion are products that were previously offered on Zalando or our shopping club, ‘Lounge by Zalando’, but were not sold online. This could include items like single sizes or last season’s pieces. You can also find pre-owned items in some of our Zalando Outlets – pieces that have previously belonged to someone else. We only offer goods that are in ‘almost like new’ condition, with no visible defects or signs of wear.
What is the process before the goods arrive at the outlet?
Dorothee Schönfeld: First, the goods undergo a thorough quality check at the returns centre. Only items with a small, fixable flaw, for example a small stain on a white sneaker, are prepared for further transport.
The items are then collected from our entire European returns network at a logistics centre near Berlin. There, our teams prepare each item for sale for the outlets. If needed, they are ironed, then tagged with a price label and a security tag, and finally shipped to our outlet stores.
What about the quality of the items? Do customers have to compromise on quality?
Dorothee Schönfeld: Not at all! You’ll find great deals, because we offer a large selection of well-known brands – but at attractive prices. Take a white sneaker, for example. It might have a small, barely noticeable stain on the side. However, due to our quality guidelines, we can no longer sell it online. So it finds its way to one of our outlets. If I wear this shoe on the street, it will certainly get more signs of wear and tear. But in the outlet, I get it for a bargain price.
Before these items go on sale, they surely undergo a comprehensive preparation process. What does that look like?
Dorothee Schönfeld: Yes, absolutely. Before an item is offered in one of our outlets, it goes through a careful process to ensure that our customers always receive high-quality goods. First, the items are collected at a logistics centre near Berlin. We bring together items from our European network of logistics and return centres to prepare them for the outlets at a single location.
The on-site team checks the condition of the item again. For example, whether it needs to be ironed before selling it in the store. After the inspection, each item receives a price tag and a security tag. The items are then sorted and delivered in boxes to the outlets.
How exactly are the prices at the outlets determined?
Dorothee Schönfeld: Our prices are based on the manufacturer's recommended retail price. The discount is clearly visible on each label.
It's exciting to know that with the Outlet Member bonus program, you collect points with every purchase, which you can redeem for a personal voucher once a year. You also benefit from exclusive vouchers and invitations to special events.
