Zalando stock gains 1.34 percent as AI returns rollout begins

Published on 10/07/2026 at 14:00 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Zalando stock was trading at EUR 22.70 on October 7, 2026, up 1.34 percent as AI returns processing entered live operations. Q2 adjusted EBIT rose 10 percent.

Karton mit orangem Innenfutter, Strickpullover und Lederstiefeletten auf Holztisch — Zalando SE (DE000ZAL1111) – geöffneter Karton mit orangefarbenem Seidenpapier und modischer Kleidung auf rustikalem Holztisch, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Zalando SE (ISIN DE000ZAL1111) was trading at EUR 22.70 on Xetra on October 7, 2026, up 1.34 percent from the previous close of EUR 22.40. The company has also launched AI-powered automated returns processing at fulfillment facilities in Germany and Poland, adding a concrete operational milestone to its technology strategy.

AI enters live returns operations

As Yahoo Finance reported on October 7, 2026, Zalando, Sereact and CEVA Logistics started automated returns handling at sites in Greven, Germany, and Swiebodzin, Poland. The systems use Sereact's Cortex platform to identify, grasp and sort returned fashion items without article-specific training.

The rollout matters because returns are a cost-intensive part of fashion e-commerce. The deployment is being delivered through a Robotics-as-a-Service model, while Zalando joined Sereact's Series B financing as a strategic investor in July 2026. The operational test therefore links a capital-allocation decision with a live logistics application.

Profit grows as margins narrow

In the Q2 2026 earnings call on August 4, 2026, Yahoo Finance reported that adjusted EBIT reached EUR 205 million, up 10 percent year over year. First-half revenue grew 22.2 percent on a reported basis to EUR 6.42 billion, while adjusted EBIT rose 16.1 percent to EUR 270 million.

The mix is becoming more important than the headline growth rate. B2B revenue reached EUR 335 million in Q2, up 27.6 percent on a reported basis, but the group adjusted EBIT margin fell 0.5 percentage points to 6 percent as the consolidation of ABOUT YOU diluted profitability. Management narrowed 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance to EUR 680 million-EUR 720 million and placed full-year GMV and revenue growth in the lower half of the previous 12 percent-17 percent range.

Analysts see upside, risks remain

On October 1, 2026, Markets Insider reported that J.P. Morgan maintained a Hold rating and a EUR 32.00 price target. The same report cited a Strong Buy analyst consensus and a EUR 35.11 average target, while softer sneaker demand remained a near-term operating risk.

Marketscreener lists a Buy mean consensus from 24 analysts, an average target of EUR 35.07, a high target of EUR 53.00 and a low target of EUR 23.50. Against the Xetra price of EUR 22.70 on October 7, 2026, the average target lies 54.5 percent above the price, making the margin outlook the key test for that valuation gap.

Stock remains below its yearly high

Zalando stock was trading at EUR 22.70 on Xetra on October 7, 2026, at 1:43 p.m. CEST, with a session range of EUR 22.21-EUR 22.95. The 52-week range is EUR 18.61-EUR 30.43, so the share price remains EUR 7.73 below the yearly high while the market capitalization stands at EUR 5.5 billion.