Zalando inspects, cleans, and refurbishes the vast majority (roughly 97%) of returned items to resell them on their platform. Using automated logistics and algorithms, they restock items in fulfillment centers for future orders, while remaining items are sold in outlets, to discount retailers, or donated.
According to the company, returned Zalando items are in many cases reprocessed and sold againif this is possible. However, if the condition of a returned item is no longer perfect, it cannot be returned to Zalando. Online Shop to the Sale are offered. In this case Alternative distribution channels can be found.
While the results can vary based on the brand you are purchasing from, more often than not, returned products are either discarded into landfills or destroyed due to costs or maintaining brand equity.
Zalando operates as a key middleman in the fast fashion ecosystem, and its ethical and environmental performance reflects that. While it has introduced some positive initiatives, these are easily overshadowed by the negative impact of its core business model.
The European consumer authorities have confronted German online store Zalando with its use of misleading sustainability claims. For example, Zalando used the term 'sustainability' as well as visual claims, such as leaves to indicate the sustainability benefits of its products.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
Only a fraction of these returns are resold, often at clearance sales or discount retailers. The rest face a grim fate: the landfill. Some brands even incinerate their returns! This translates to an alarming 2 billion kilograms of waste generated annually through return processes alone.
If Amazon suspects suspicious return activity on your account, you will receive an email reminding you of the store's return policies. If the activity continues, Amazon reserves the right to limit returns or shut down your account altogether.
On 1 July 2025, the European Commission granted merger control clearance for the transaction including the voluntary public takeover offer to the shareholders of ABOUT YOU. Zalando has now acquired 91.45% of ABOUT YOU's share capital (excluding treasury shares).
ZARA PRE-OWNED: A circular platform where you can repair, donate, resell or buy second-hand garments to extend their useful life. Available now in the US and in selected European markets.
The garments returned to us are collected in specialised return centres and finally brought back to one of our logistics centres, from where they start their journey to our customers again. We decide exactly where to store the items based on factors such as the likelihood of resale in the region or market.
If you want to return one or more items, you've got 31 days to do so. This 31-day period starts once your order has been delivered. You can send any unworn items back free of charge. We will only consider 'worn garments' if these are items that you've tried on purely to see whether they fit.
You can return unused items within 30 days free of charge. All returned items must be in their original condition (unworn and with the labels still attached) for a return to be accepted. Trying on an item doesn't count as it being worn.
The "30 wears rule" is a sustainable fashion guideline where you ask yourself, "Will I wear this item at least 30 times?" before buying it, promoting conscious consumption by prioritizing quality, timeless pieces over disposable fast fashion to reduce textile waste and environmental impact. Popularized by Livia Firth, it encourages viewing clothes as investments, reducing impulse buys, and shifting towards a slower, more intentional wardrobe by focusing on longevity and cost-per-wear.
Unfortunately, the majority of retailers end up letting returns pile up, often sending them to landfills in bulk to cut costs. A simple solution would be for consumers to reduce their returns. However, this can be more challenging than it seems when considering the primary causes behind clothing returns.
The 70/30 rule in fashion is a wardrobe strategy suggesting 70% of your closet consists of timeless, versatile basics (jeans, neutral tops, blazers) and 30% is for trendy or statement pieces (bold colors, unique patterns, statement accessories) to add personality and keep looks fresh without chasing every trend. It balances longevity with current style, ensuring most of your wardrobe remains relevant while still allowing for fun, expressive items that elevate your everyday staples.
The 10 cm Face Zone Rule is the secret behind effortless style. No matter what you're wearing, the area around your face is what people notice first. Hair, makeup, earrings, glasses, collars, scarves, and accessories — these details shape the entire impression of your look.
The "5 Outfit Rule" is a mindful shopping guideline: before buying a new clothing item, you must be able to immediately envision styling it in at least five different, distinct outfits using clothes you already own, ensuring versatility, reducing impulse buys, and building a more functional wardrobe. This encourages thoughtful purchases that get more wear, preventing clutter from items worn only once or twice, and helps create a cohesive, mix-and-match capsule closet for various occasions and seasons.
Zalando has achieved significant sustainability goals in the last few years. It has reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 78% since 2017 and is now moving towards using 100% renewable electricity. In the same timeframe, its single plastic use in packaging shrank by 37%.
Founded in Germany in 2008 by Rocket Internet, Robert Gentz and David Schneider, Zalando has gone on to become a global online fashion powerhouse. The multibrand site opened sites in the UK, Italy, and Switzerland in 2011.
Zalando is a legitimate and successful website. Some potential customers have questioned the site's authenticity due to its low prices and good deals. But the retailer's website promises its customers to trade with reputable manufacturers who provide the highest quality of products.
