FatFace, which is now owned by Next, has expanded into the German market via a deal with local online giant Zalando, which has started carrying the brand’s collections.
FatFace
And the company is planning further launches across Europe via Zalando, which is no surprise given the ever-closer links that parent company Next has been forging with the German e-tailer.
Next has partnered with Zalando’s ZEOS fulfilment operation for its online European orders, expanding its previous relationship that was simply about selling its products on Zalando’s webstore. Now it also takes in European sales generated via Next’s own webstore and other marketplaces.
So the FatFace move seems a logical one as that brand drives its strategy to expand its international multichannel offering.
Customers in Germany can now shop the womenswear and menswear ranges on Zalando. The brand’s premium womenswear collection, Copper & Black, will also be available.
FatFace said “initial trading has been positive, with the business anticipating strong sales heading into Autumn, driven by the demand for transitional dressing”.
The brand is also planning to expand its product offer on Zalando over the coming months to include accessories and footwear.
Alexandra Dalwood, Head of Partners at FatFace said: “Joining the Next family has given us the platform to drive growth and expand into new international markets. Our launch on Zalando marks an important step in building our global brand awareness, and we’re really pleased to be able to bring FatFace to a new audience on this platform in Germany.Early interest has been very encouraging.”
The move follows a period of strong trading for FatFace with full-price sales up 6.6% in the first half and sales through the Next Label operation up 86%. Digital now accounts for 36% of total revenue, with over 40 million visits to FatFace’s website annually.
FatFace continues to invest in physical stores as well as digital growth and is still opening and refurbishing UK and Ireland stores. It’s also trialling new formats and in July, it opened its first ever concession in a Next store at Lakeside Shopping Centre.
