During the first quarter of 2026, Zalando's gross merchandise volume (GMV) increased by 21.7 percent to 4.3 billion euros. The Group's total revenue rose by 23.8 percent to nearly 3 billion euros. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased to 65 million euros, compared to 46.7 million euros in the same period last year. The acquisition of About You contributed 10 million euros in synergies to the result. The Group's adjusted EBIT margin strengthened from 1.9 percent to 2.2 percent.
AI Automates And Drives Sales
The report shows that Zalando's investments in artificial intelligence are now being used to increase efficiency at several levels. The company's AI assistant has been used by nearly 10 million customers in the first months of the year, exceeding the full-year figure for 2025 of 6 million. In addition, image processing with generative AI is being used to speed up the registration of new products on the platform. Currently, 85 percent of articles are published in under three days.
Our strong first quarter demonstrates the strength of our strategy. We are very pleased with the progress we are making in strategically scaling AI innovations and integrating About You, says Robert Gentz, co-CEO of Zalando, adding:
Our unique data and infrastructure that we have built over 17 years – including the richest fashion-specific data in Europe and the continent's leading logistics network for fashion and lifestyle – is a massive advantage when supercharged with AI.
New Robots To Warehouse In Stockholm
In the logistics network, the implementation of AI-powered robots continues. Robots already handle 2 million picks per month in Europe. For the Nordic market, this means concrete changes on the Swedish market. Sebastian Becker, Head of Nordics for Zalando, comments on the development:
Sweden is a cornerstone of our journey to becoming Europe's leading technology platform for fashion and lifestyle. During the quarter, we have accelerated our logistics transformation by preparing the rollout of AI-powered robots of the type “Shoebox Picker” in our logistics center in Stockholm. These robots solve one of the industry's most challenging automation issues and ensure the speed and precision our customers expect.
Becker also notes that the company launched a new category for second-hand children's clothing on the Swedish market during the quarter to simplify submission and purchase for parents.
B2B Segment And ZEOS Expand
Within the consumer business area (B2C), the number of active customers reached a new record level of 62.3 million. The growth is attributed to a strategy based on three separate apps: Zalando, About You and Lounge by Zalando. The average purchase amount per customer increased by 2.9 percent to 305 euros.
At the same time, Zalando's business area for corporate customers (B2B) is showing growth. Sales, which include the logistics and e-commerce service ZEOS, increased by 23.6 percent to 297 million euros. The adjusted EBIT margin for the B2B segment rose to 8.6 percent. During the quarter, new sales channels were added and ZEOS also initiated its first pilot projects in Norway.