Introduction to selling on Zalando

Zalando is a marketplace focused on fashion. Zalando, compared to other marketplaces, has more strict policies and processes that you must follow if you want to advertise on Zalando. For example, Zalando will block new merchant accounts automatically in order to review and approve a merchant's product information.

In this article, we will explain everything you need to know before you start setting up a Zalando API and explain the requirements for selling on Zalando using Channable.

Important: When you have read through all the requirements in this article and want to start using the Zalando API in Channable please contact our technical support department. Our support department will guide you through the process and help you set up the Zalando API.

Requirements to get started with the Zalando API

The list below shows the requirements you need to meet to use the Zalando API in Channable. The requirements are explained in more detail below in the article.

• Approved to sell on Zalando's Partner Program using Channable

• Passed brand readiness stage

• Have access to a zDirect account

• Be able to use our order connection because Zalando does not offer an interface to handle orders.

• You are aware of the requirements to get items approved on Zalando, for example the images and order fulfillment documents.

Zalando Partner Program

The current API connection is created for the Zalando Partner Program, and we don’t support Zalando Connected Retail.

Zalando has two programs that it offers:

1

Zalando Partner program

For both brands and multi-brands. Existing brands don’t require extra checks; for brands that don’t exist on Zalando, the ‘brand prospecting list' needs to be filled in—this is part of the Zalando onboarding flow.

2

Zalando Connected Retail

This is only used for selling in the country of origin of a shop. Setup is done using a feed, but we don’t support that yet. If you want to sell in other/multiple countries, you need to apply for the Zalando Partner Program.

For more information about the partner program, refer to this page.

Brand readiness stage

If you are part of the Zalando partner program, and you eventually want to sell on Zalando, you need to meet the Brand readiness requirements of Zalando. On this page, you will find all the necessary documents and confirmations needed to start your integration.

Important: Zalando treats each country as a different channel. Zalando needs to approve going live for each country separately. During your onboarding, this might of course happen at the same time. But it could be that Zalando has different requirements per country. In Channable, you need to create an API for each country you want to sell in.

zDirect

zDirect is the seller portal that participants of the Zalando Partner Program can use for article onboarding, checking the status of your sales, and invite technical partners (like Channable) to manage specific parts of your account.

Order fulfillment

Every part of order handling has to happen through the API, it’s not possible to do anything order-related in zDirect. Therefore, to be able to sell on Zalando, it is required to also use an order connection.

There are 3 actions that users need to do regarding order fulfillment:

• Shipment confirmation

• Indicating an order item as returned

• Canceling orders

If for any reason it’s not possible for you to handle the above actions, there is an option in the Channable tool for each of these actions. Read this article, where and how to use these actions in the tool: Zalando Order Handling

Images

You are aware of the requirements to get items approved on Zalando, for example the images and order fulfillment documents.