Wedoany.com Report on Mar 2nd, European fashion e-commerce platform Zalando has recently officially launched its pre-owned kids' fashion service in 14 European markets, covering Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden. This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for second-hand clothing and provide families with a convenient fashion circular solution.
Zalando has adopted a customer-to-business-to-customer (C2B2C) model to operate this pre-owned kids' fashion service. Consumers can purchase nearly new children's clothing on the platform, while also being able to sell outgrown clothes directly to Zalando in exchange for gift vouchers usable across the entire platform, including the pre-owned products section.
The product line covers several well-known brands, such as Nike, Adidas, and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as NEXT and Name It. Additionally, it includes specialized and premium kids' fashion brands like LEGO Kidswear, Bisgaard, Boss Kidswear, Stella McCartney Kids, and Moschino.
According to Zalando, the process for this pre-owned kids' fashion service is designed to be simple: customers do not need to provide photos or bear shipping costs; the company handles transportation and free returns. At the same time, an internal team manually inspects all items to ensure they meet specific quality standards, protecting consumer rights.
The sustained rise in demand for second-hand clothing in the European market has driven Zalando to expand its pre-owned kids' fashion service. Data shows that the retailer's sales of pre-owned adult fashion have doubled in recent years. Up to half of the pre-owned inventory sells out within 24 hours of being listed, with the proportion for premium brands rising to 90%. In 2025, over 40% of Zalando orders included a mix of new and pre-owned goods, reflecting increased consumer acceptance of sustainable fashion.
Alice Marshall, Director of Pre-owned Business at Zalando, stated: "Through our pre-owned category, we are removing the friction commonly associated with second-hand shopping. Customers can purchase a premium pre-owned winter coat and a new pair of sneakers in one go, confident that each item has been manually quality-checked. They can also easily and conveniently sell clothes back to Zalando. By expanding into pre-owned children's clothing and accessories, we are bringing unparalleled convenience in buying and selling pre-owned fashion to the entire family." This service is expected to further promote the fashion circular economy and provide families with more environmentally friendly choices.
