So habt ihr die Zalando-Story noch nie gehört: Gründer Robert Gentz (#904)

10 May 2026 · 77 min
OMR Podcast

10 May 2026 · 77 min

0:00

In this OMR podcast episode, host Philipp Westermeyer interviews Robert Gentz, co‑founder and CEO of Zalando, about the company’s evolution from a web‑first fashion retailer to a data‑driven, AI‑powered platform. Gentz explains how Zalando measured and prioritized the mobile transition, assigning top‑down value to app downloads to overcome friction. He details how AI is being used for internal efficiency—accelerating software engineering, automating content creation, and improving delivery‑time predictions—and for growth, through proprietary foundational models that power recommendation, size‑and‑fit, and a knowledge‑graph of 62 million customers. The conversation moves to Zalando’s ambition to become a content company, drawing parallels with LinkedIn’s shift from a functional tool to a media platform, and discusses competition from Google, OpenAI, Instagram, TikTok, and other content giants. Gentz outlines the company’s B2B logistics and software platform (Scale) and its early US foothold with brands like Levi’s, while noting the strategic challenges of a B2C US launch. He reflects on European competitiveness, advocating a positive vision for Europe in the AI race and the need for supportive policy. The interview also touches on capital‑market perception, valuation pressures, and the importance of focusing on controllable inputs. Finally, Gentz shares personal insights on his transition from startup founder to DAX‑level CEO, emphasizing authenticity, team culture, and long‑term commitment to Zalando’s mission.

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