Mobile Commerce: Fashion Retailer Zalando Launches Shopping App in the UK

Berlin, July 3, 2014. Using a smartphone or a tablet to shop online is an increasingly popular option for many consumers and the mobile commerce sector has been witnessing rapid growth over the last few years. Zalando is also part of this upward trend, with around 38 percent of visits to Zalando in the first quarter of 2014 made on mobile devices. Zalando has now launched apps for Apple and Android devices for its customers in the UK, allowing them to shop whilst on the go. The apps have been developed in-house and are available for download now.

‘More and more people are using mobile to browse and shop online and it is becoming increasingly important for them, and therefore for us. Our new apps for iOS and Android devices make it even easier for our customers in the UK to shop from the comfort of their own home or when they are out and about’ says Robert Schütze, Country Manager for the UK. ‘We see mobile as more than just a channel – for us it is a whole new way for our customers to shop and experience what Zalando has to offer. Mobile commerce is something that we will be focusing on and we are planning a number of features that will work across desktop, the apps and the mobile site, allowing for an integrated and user-friendly shopping experience.’

The Zalando app has been available in Germany since 2012 and to date there have been over three million downloads. In addition there has been a mobile version of the site in the UK since 2011. ‘Our customers in the UK are very mobile-savvy and we see a lot of people accessing the website from their smartphones and increasingly from tablet devices’ explains Robert Schütze. ‘At the moment our customers are using the mobile site to get information about the latest trends and inspiration for what to wear. Compared to the mobile site, the app has an optimised product presentation as well as being easier to use with an intuitive design.’

The Zalando app includes features such as intuitive navigation, autosuggest search and a wish list that syncs between devices. The app also gives access to additional features such as the Zalando Barcode Scanner and the option of viewing the products and brands you have recently looked at or searched for. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store now.

The app has been developed in-house by a team of 22 people, who designed the Android app for Germany in just 11 weeks. With over 400 people working in their Technology Department, the majority of business processes including logistics, design and payment are carried out by Zalando themselves.

Click here for more information about the app: http://www.zalando.co.uk/zalando-apps/

ABOUT ZALANDO
Zalando (https://corporate.zalando.com) is Europe’s leading online retailer for shoes and fashion. Working with over 1,500 international brands, Zalando presents an extensive selection of products for women, men and children, ranging from popular high street brands to much sought-after designer labels. Exclusive accessories and sportswear make up Zalando’s wide range of products. A combination of unique services – free delivery and returns, a free service helpline and a 100 day returns policy – make online shopping at Zalando a convenient and secure online experience. The company was founded by Robert Gentz and David Schneider in 2008 and its headquarters are located in Berlin. Following its success in Germany, Zalando launched an Austrian site in 2009 and shops for the Netherlands and France followed in 2010. In 2011 Zalando expanded to Italy, the UK and to Switzerland. Since 2012 Zalando has also been available in Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Poland, and Norway. Deliveries were extended to Luxembourg in 2013.