In Neuendorf SO plant das Logistikunternehmen Ceva Logistics den Abbau von 350 Stellen, da der Vertrag mit Zalando nicht verlängert wurde. Zalando hat beschlossen, die Retouren-Abwicklung an externe Dienstleister auszulagern, was von der Gewerkschaft Unia scharf kritisiert wird. Die betroffenen Mitarbeiter arbeiten in Glattbrugg, Oftringen und Mönchaltorf und sollen bis Ende 2024 ihre Stellen verlieren. Unia fordert einen Sozialplan für die Betroffenen und befürchtet Lohndumping und schlechtere Arbeitsbedingungen, da die Arbeit ins Ausland verlagert wird. Zalando betont, dass die Qualität nicht leiden werde und dass die Retouren-Zentren in der Schweiz bestehen bleiben.
Zalando begann bereits 2022 mit der Zusammenarbeit mit externen Dienstleistern und plant, diese Kooperationen weiter auszubauen, um mehr Flexibilität zu erreichen. Die Entscheidung, die Retouren-Abwicklung auszulagern, soll zur Effizienzsteigerung beitragen. Die Mitarbeiter wurden am 2. Oktober informiert und Zalando bietet Unterstützung bei der Stellensuche sowie interne Wechselmöglichkeiten an. Der Stellenabbau ist Teil eines grösseren Sparprogramms von Zalando, das bis 2025 jährlich 350 Millionen Euro einsparen will. In Deutschland sind bereits 750 Arbeitsplätze weggefallen und die Massnahmen in der Schweiz sind Teil dieses Trends, da Zalando mit sinkenden Umsätzen und wachsender Konkurrenz, insbesondere aus China, konfrontiert ist.
Experten sehen einen Trend zur Auslagerung im E-Commerce und warnen vor einem möglichen Domino-Effekt, der zu einem Verlust von Arbeitsplätzen in der Schweiz führen könnte. Die Branche steht vor grossen Herausforderungen, da Flexibilität immer wichtiger wird. Zalando betont jedoch, weiterhin in der Schweiz präsent zu bleiben und das Land als wichtigen Markt zu betrachten. Die Retouren-Bearbeitung ist nur ein Teil des Geschäfts des Modehändlers, der sich weiterhin in einem hart umkämpften Markt behaupten muss.
In Solothurn’s Neuendorf, Ceva Logistics is planning to cut 350 jobs as the contract with Zalando has not been renewed. Zalando has decided to outsource the returns processing to external service providers, a move that has been sharply criticized by the Unia union. The affected employees work in Glattbrugg, Oftringen, and Mönchaltorf and are set to lose their jobs by the end of 2024. Unia is calling for a social plan for those affected and fears wage dumping and worse working conditions as the work is being shifted abroad. Zalando emphasizes that the quality will not be affected and that the returns centers in Switzerland will remain in operation.
Zalando began working with external service providers in 2022 and plans to expand these partnerships to increase flexibility. The decision to outsource returns processing is seen as a way to improve efficiency. Employees were informed on October 2nd and Zalando is offering support in finding new jobs as well as internal transfer opportunities. The job cuts are part of a larger cost-saving program by Zalando, which aims to save 350 million euros annually by 2025. In Germany, 750 jobs have already been cut, and the measures in Switzerland are part of this trend as Zalando faces declining sales and increasing competition, particularly from China.
Experts see a trend towards outsourcing in e-commerce and warn of a possible domino effect that could lead to job losses in Switzerland. The industry is facing significant challenges as flexibility becomes increasingly important. However, Zalando emphasizes its continued presence in Switzerland and considers the country as a key market. Returns processing is just one aspect of the business for the fashion retailer, which continues to operate in a fiercely competitive market.
As a trendy and in-demand e-commerce store, Zalando announced a massive cut in its personnel with a whopping 350 job positions scheduled to be eliminated by the year 2024. The reasoning behind this decision directly correlates with the discontinuation of its collaboration with Ceva Logistics, a logistics company entrusted with managing the returns aspect of the fashion store. This move stirred up controversy with the Unia union, which raised concerns about potential job loss, wage reduction, and unfavorable working conditions due to the outsourcing of labor to foreign entities. Zalando, however, assures the public that the quality of its services will not falter, and the operational base in Switzerland will remain intact as only the processing operations will be relocated.
Zalando began exploring external partnerships in 2022 to enhance operational flexibility, leading to the decision to enlist the aid of independent service providers for returns processing. This strategic shift is believed to enhance efficiency and create more agility within the company. The affected employees were formally informed of the impending changes on October 2nd, with Zalando offering assistance in navigating the job market and facilitating internal transfers within the organization to mitigate the impact. The downsizing initiative is just one aspect of Zalando’s broader cost-saving strategy, aiming to save a substantial amount annually by 2025. This move aligns with Zalando’s efforts to combat declining revenue streams and the escalating competition, especially from emerging Chinese players in the fashion industry.
Industry experts foresee a surging trend in outsourcing operations across the e-commerce sector, accentuating the escalating demand for operational adaptability and efficiency. The Unia union’s apprehensions about a potential ripple effect leading to extensive job losses in Switzerland underscore the looming challenges faced by the industry. Notwithstanding these challenges, Zalando remains committed to maintaining its foothold in Switzerland as a vital market segment, with the returns processing segment constituting just a fraction of its diversified business portfolio. The company continues to grapple with the fierce competition in the fashion industry, navigating through a myriad of obstacles to secure its competitive edge and emerge as a dominant player in the market.
