By 2021 Zalando had become Europe’s largest pure player in online fashion. But the road to success had not always been smooth. Back in 2014, six years after it was founded, the Germany-based company was at a crossroads. With an impending initial public offering (IPO) and investors looking for results, the company was nowhere near being profitable. Zalando realized that to achieve profitability and market leadership, it would have to leverage advanced technology and develop a data-driven supply chain. So, with the innovative spirit of a start-up, it embraced the challenge of building internal digital tools and competencies to drive supply chain efficiencies. The online fashion supply chain had to wrestle with the same challenges of tight margins and high customer expectations familiar to all online retailers. However, the fashion industry faced other unique challenges – high SKU counts, high seasonality, relentless product turnover and frighteningly elevated return rates. By developing proprietary systems and machine learning tools, Zalando developed a responsive, flexible distribution network, trustworthy order promises and a sophisticated, holistic approach to returns management. Through a data-driven journey born out of a crisis, Zalando discovered that these capabilities not only delivered supply chain excellence and pioneering new innovative techniques but also helped to fulfill the company’s vision of providing endless choice, seamless convenience and a tailored digital experience to millions of customers across Europe.
AI is reshaping careers, but future-proof skills aren’t what you think. Vision, expertise, and deep knowledge - not hype - are key to success in an AI world.
This episode takes you behind the scenes of a recent gathering led by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development together with IMD, where David Bach sat down with two sustainability leaders.
All organizations should have a plan to secure trust during, after (and even before) a crisis hits. Here are a host of examples, good and bad, to learn from.
A recent survey by IMD, Microsoft, and Ringier reveals that just 35% of organizations have strategies to address diversity bias in GenAI. Alexander Fleischmann identifies the risks and suggests ways to mitigate bias in the machine. A recent survey...
Surviving Global Tariffs means Medtech and Luxury brands must revisit 1990s strategies to adapt to the US’s steepest trade barriers in decades.
How a private equity-backed corporate carve-out created a successful, sustainable consulting powerhouse by Benoit Leleux
Understanding differences between demographic cohorts is crucial to being an effective leader. But do you know what they are? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge, and read on for tips on maximizing inter-generational learnings. Understandi...
Tired teams, wasted weekends, and unread reports—here are 7 ways to restore morale and reignite performance. Avoid unnecessary reporting and non-essential tasks.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications