Zalando Reports Standout First Quarter Results and Raises Full Year Outlook

May 6, 2021
Financials
  • Zalando expects 31-36% GMV growth and 400-475 million euros adjusted EBIT for financial year 2021
  • GMV grew 55.6% to 3.2 billion euros in first quarter, at adjusted EBIT margin of 4.2%
  • Exceptional new customer growth, reaching 41.8 million active customers
  • Zalando to expand European logistics network with five fulfillment centers by 2023

BERLIN, MAY 6, 2021 // Zalando upgrades its outlook for the financial year 2021 following exceptionally strong and profitable growth in the first quarter, continued elevated growth levels in the second quarter, and a stable outlook for the second half of the year. 

The company now expects Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) to grow 31-36% to 14.0-14.6 billion euros for the financial year 2021. The company expects revenues to grow 26-31% to 10.1-10.5 billion euros and an adjusted EBIT of 400-475 million euros in the same period. Zalando previously assumed GMV growth of 27-32%, revenue growth of 24-29% and an adjusted EBIT of 350-425 million euros for the full year 2021.

Fueled by exceptional new customer growth and high engagement of existing customers, Zalando achieved its strongest customer growth since 2013, reaching 41.8 million active customers at the end of the first quarter. 

Topline growth came in at an exceptionally high rate, with GMV growing by 55.6% to almost 3.2 billion euros and revenues growing 46.8% year-on-year to 2.2 billion euros. Growth was fueled by a continued rise in consumer demand for online offerings and an outstanding growth in our partner business. In addition to a very strong growth momentum, Zalando achieved a positive adjusted EBIT of 93.3 million euros or margin of 4.2%, which was mainly driven by a strong sell-through and a continued lower return rate.

Chief Financial Officer David Schröder says: “In the first quarter of 2021, Zalando delivered the strongest growth ever since going public in 2014. We see our platform business unfolding at increasing speed, creating benefits for customers and partners alike and allowing us to make fast strides on our journey towards being the Starting Point for Fashion.”

To enable Zalando’s future growth ambitions and serve customers with best-in-class convenience, Zalando will continue to expand its European logistics network of currently 10 fulfillment centers and add five fulfillment centers to the existing network by 2023. Two centers in Rotterdam and Madrid are close to completion and will go live in 2021. Construction works on three new fulfillment centers in France, Germany, and Poland will kick off in the next twelve months.

The first quarter report, as well as the earnings presentation for analysts and investors, is available on the Zalando Investor Relations website. Zalando will report the results for the second quarter of 2021 on August 5, 2021.

Zalando Group – Key Figures (in EUR million)

Q1 2021

Q1 2020

Group GMV

3,154.2

2,027.2

percent growth

55.6%

15.9%

Group revenue

2,237.8

1,524.2

percent growth

46.8%

10.6%

Fashion Store

2,009.2

1,391.6

Thereof DACH

921.0

663.6

Thereof Rest of Europe

1,088.3

728.0

Offprice

317.8

184.7

Other

58.7

37.4

Reconciliation

(148.0)

(89.6)

Adjusted group EBIT

93.3

(98.6)

Adjusted group EBIT margin

4.2%

-6.5%

Fashion Store

65.6

(99.6)

Thereof DACH

83.0

(11.6)

Thereof Rest of Europe

(17.5)

(88.0)

Offprice

25.9

7.8

Other

0.4

(6.8)

Reconciliation

1.4

(0.0)

Net working capital

87.9

41.3

Capital expenditure

(39.8)

(47.8)

Net income

34.5

(86.4)

Zalando Group – Key Performance Indicators

Q1 2021

Q1 2020

Change

Site visits
(million)

1,708.0

1,137.5

50.2%

Mobile visit share
(% of site visits)

87.3%

84.6%

2.7pp

Active customers
(million)

41.8

31.9

30.9%

Number of orders
(million)

56.0

37.0

51.1%

Average orders per
active customer

4.9

4.7

3.7%

Average basket size
(LTM, EUR)

57.9

56.3

2.7%

Definitions are available in the Q1 and annual report

Zalando SE Boiler Plate EN

About Zalando

Founded in Berlin in 2008, Zalando is building the leading pan-European ecosystem for fashion and lifestyle e-commerce around two growth vectors: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B). In B2C, we offer an inspiring and quality multi-brand shopping experience for fashion and lifestyle products to about 50 million active customers in 25 markets. In B2B, we are using our logistic infrastructure, software and service capabilities to help brands and retailers run and scale their entire e-commerce business, on or off Zalando. As an ecosystem, Zalando aims to enable positive change for the fashion and lifestyle industry.