Zalando AI Agent Debuts in Zalando Extended for Cross-Retailer Shopping

Zalando announced the launch of Zalando Extended on November 3, 2026, alongside its third-quarter earnings in Paris. The new platform introduces a Zalando AI agent that lets users discover and buy products from other retailers without leaving the Zalando app.

Zalando Extended Platform Capabilities

The Zalando AI agent operates within the app to complete purchases from partner retailers. It manages product discovery, comparison, and secure checkout on behalf of the customer. No complex integrations are required from participating merchants. The system keeps the transaction inside the Zalando environment while expanding the available assortment beyond Zalando’s own inventory.

Westwing serves as the first pilot partner, with initial focus on larger home and living items. The collaboration began in 2026 and targets categories where bulky goods benefit from broader marketplace reach. Partners gain access to Zalando’s 63.2 million active customers and can use retail media placements without altering their logistics or technical setups.

Existing Zalando Assistant usage already exceeds 22 million unique users in 2026. Zalando Extended builds on this base to address the shift toward agentic commerce, where autonomous tools handle full purchase cycles. The platform positions Zalando as a central point for transactions even as competing AI systems from other technology providers emerge.

Q3 2026 Financial Results

Zalando reported gross merchandise volume of €4.537 billion for the third quarter, marking a 7.5 percent year-over-year increase. Revenue reached €3.175 billion, up 5.1 percent from the prior year. Adjusted EBIT came in at €106.5 million, a 10.6 percent rise that produced a 3.4 percent margin.

Partner business accounted for 33.6 percent of B2C GMV, an increase of 2.9 percentage points. B2B revenue grew 27.9 percent to €354.4 million. Active customers rose 2.9 percent to 63.2 million. Gross margin declined 0.9 percentage points to 38.7 percent, reflecting higher promotional activity and investments.

The company confirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, expecting GMV and revenue growth in the lower half of the previously stated 12 to 17 percent ranges and adjusted EBIT between €680 million and €720 million. Shares declined approximately 5 percent following the results and announcement.

Next Steps for Zalando Extended

Full AI-assisted checkout functionality is scheduled to become available in 2027. Additional partner retailers and product categories will be added progressively after the Westwing pilot. The initiative supports Zalando’s ongoing transition toward a platform model that combines its own inventory with third-party offerings.

By keeping purchases inside its app, Zalando aims to maintain control over customer data and transaction flows amid growing competition in agentic commerce. Retail media revenue also continued to expand, contributing to the overall shift in business mix.