Zalando Closes Takeover of About You in Strategic E-commerce Consolidation

Zalando’s takeover bid for About You gets the green light. The European Commission has given the go-ahead for the acquisition, which will take place on July 11, 2025. Zalando has refused to give financial details, but according to the latest figures published, the purchase is reportedly agreed at €1.2 billion.

The German e-commerce giant thus acquires more than 90% of the capital of the fashion chain. About You shareholders who accepted the offer will receive a price of €6.5 per share. However, the German giant reports that it will carry out a forced sale of the remaining 10% minority shareholders, who will receive “adequate compensation” in cash in return.

This acquisition means for Zalando to scale the capabilities that fit the new brand strategy, both in its direct-to-consumer business model and business with other companies. The goal is to create a more advanced e-commerce operating system for brands and retailers to manage their multichannel business.

Zalando states that minority shareholders will receive financial compensation for the sale

In the B2C channel, the addition of About You will allow Zalando to implement a dual-brand strategy. Each brand will retain its distinct identity while leveraging logistics, infrastructure and commercial collaboration.

By 2028, Zalando expects to record a margin on ebit of between 6% and 8%, which will generate a significant increase in profit through the creation of a larger-scale merged group. In addition, Zalando, merged with About You, is expected to increase general merchandise value (GMV) and revenue, through 2028, at an annual rate of between 5% and 10%.

About You, meanwhile, was founded in 2014 and has since attracted a large number of investors. At the end of the first quarter of 2024, the company posted revenue of €968.4 million, up 2.3% year-on-year.