Zalando Confirms Further Job Reductions in Berlin
Berlin, July 20 – Online fashion retailer Zalando is reportedly implementing further job cuts at its Berlin headquarters. The company stated on Monday that it is working towards more agile and targeted structures to respond faster to market changes and capitalize on growth opportunities. These measures include mutual termination agreements, based on the principle of double voluntariness, meaning both employer and employee must willingly agree to the termination.
Approximately 200 Positions Affected in Berlin
Earlier reports by the “Handelsblatt” indicated that these termination agreements would affect around 200 positions at the Berlin site. The newspaper cited internal documents and announcements on the company’s intranet. Zalando, however, did not confirm the exact number of affected positions or the specific location when asked.
New Location Planned in Bucharest, Romania
Despite the ongoing restructuring in Berlin, Zalando announced plans to establish a new office in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. This new site is expected to open by the end of this year, with plans to create 60 jobs by the first quarter of the following year. The company intends to relocate certain positions and processes to Bucharest and establish additional jobs there in the long term.
Previous Restructuring and Erfurt Closure
This is not the first instance of job reductions at Zalando in Berlin. Last year, approximately 450 jobs were eliminated in the city due to a customer service restructuring. Following that, 200 employees were to be rehired for the redesigned unit in the summer of last year.
Furthermore, Zalando is set to close its Erfurt location, which currently employs around 2,100 people, by the end of September. The company is proceeding with this decision, announced in January, despite protests from the works council, trade unions, employees, and criticism from various bodies, including the Thuringian state government. This closure is part of a broader reorientation of Zalando’s Europe-wide logistics network, following its acquisition of About You.
Company’s Strategic Reorientation
Zalando’s strategic moves, including job cuts in Berlin and the establishment of a new hub in Bucharest, underscore its efforts to streamline operations and adapt to a dynamic market environment. The company’s focus on creating more agile structures is aimed at enhancing its responsiveness and securing future growth.
