German fashion e-tailer Zalando anticipates a “significant” increase in second-quarter sales and EBIT amid an accelerated consumer shift from offline to online.

The Berlin-based firm expects both top and bottom-line figures to be “significantly” above current market expectations, pointing to changing consumer behaviour, in particular a strongly increasing preference for digital offerings. It also credited the continued execution of its platform strategy, including the accelerated expansion of the Zalando Partner Program.

The median of the analysts’ consensus surveyed by the company as of 25 May was 19% for gross merchandise volume (GMV) growth, 16% revenue growth, and EUR104m (US$117.06m) for adjusted EBIT.

Aneesha Sherman, analyst at AB Bernstein, notes: “Zalando has been ramping up its Partner Program (commission model) sales, moving away from its traditional wholesale platform model. The company is seeing increased interest in Partner Program this year on the back of the coronavirus.”

She adds Zalando is also seeing increased uptake of the additional service revenue streams of fulfilment (ZFS) and marketing (ZMS) that Partner Program brands have the option to add on, which are much higher-margin and form a big part of the bull case on the stock.

“As of last month, the company saw an increase in Partner Program to about 20% of GMV – and this strong PP performance has continued through the months of May and June. Equally, ZFS penetration had already ticked up in Q1 and seems to be doing the same in Q1. They have also seen ZMS as a percent of GMV increase this year, versus the 1% they last reported at Q4, making progress towards the 3-4% target penetration.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Zalando said last month it foresees revenue growth of between 10-20% in 2020, despite the challenging trading environment due to the coronavirus.

Zalando will publish a trading statement on 16 July and its financial figures for the second quarter on 11 August.