Zalando expands pre-owned category in 14 markets

German online fashion platform Zalando has expanded its Pre-owned category. It now includes children’s fashion. It is already available in 14 European markets: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden.

Zalando is a well-known European online marketplace. It is based in Germany, but it is active in many European countries. It has more than 52 million customers. In October last year, it launched in Portugal and expanded its product range in Spain. By the end of the year, it covered 28 countries.

‘Like-new or gently worn’

In 2020, Zalando introduced a Pre-Owned category in the platform. Now, the company has expanded the category to include kids’ fashion. It features high-demand brands like Nike, Adidas and Tommy Hilfiger, alongside more accessible brands. The curated selection also includes premium labels, like Moschino and LEGO Kidswear.

Parents can trade in ‘like-new or gently worn’ children’s clothes, in exchange for a gift voucher. The voucher is valid for any future purchase, including pre-owned. All items are checked for quality before listing, making sure that the good-as-new products meet high standards.

‘50% of pre-owned items sold within 24 hours’

According to Zalando, sales of clothing in the adult pre-owned category have doubled in recent years. Up to 50 percent of all pre-owned items are sold within the first 24 hours after going live. The company also said that the launch is a response to how families shop, as more than 40 percent of all orders last year were mixed: customers bought new items alongside pre-owned products.

‘Removing friction associated with second-hand shopping’

“With our Pre-owned category, we are removing the friction often associated with second-hand shopping. Customers can shop for a premium pre-owned winter coat and a new pair of sneakers in one go, with the confidence that every piece has been hand-inspected for quality. And they can easily and conveniently sell clothes back to Zalando”, said Alice Marshall, Director of pre-owned at Zalando. “By expanding into children’s secondhand clothing and accessories, we bring the unmatched convenience of buying and selling pre-owned fashion to the whole family.”

‘We are addressing a customer pain point by helping parents declutter as children outgrow their clothes’

“Our Kids & Family customers are among our most loyal and frequent shoppers. They are looking for quality, trust, and ease. We are truly addressing a customer pain point by helping parents declutter as children outgrow their clothes so quickly. We also know that time is really scarce for parents, so we support them by letting them cover all of their needs in one destination: they can now shop for new and pre-owned, adult and children’s fashion and lifestyle products in one place”, explained Veronika Moles, Commercial Director Kids at Zalando.