David Schneider
Co-founder of Zalando and management board member
David Schneider is the co-founder of Zalando, Europe's leading online fashion platform, which he started with Robert Gentz in Berlin in 2008. Formerly co-chief executive, he is a member of Zalando's management board focusing on group-wide strategic partnerships across its consumer and B2B businesses.
| Role | Co-founder, Zalando SE; management board member |
|---|---|
| Focus | Group-wide strategic partnerships |
| Founded Zalando | 2008, Berlin |
| Previous role | Co-CEO of Zalando (until September 2024) |
| Education | WHU, Otto Beisheim School of Management |
| Born | 1982 |
Who is David Schneider?
David Schneider is a co-founder of Zalando SE, the Berlin-based online fashion and lifestyle platform. He served as co-chief executive alongside Robert Gentz until 1 September 2024, when David Schröder succeeded him in that role. Zalando's management board page now lists him as co-founder, focusing on building group-wide strategic partnerships across Zalando's B2C and B2B ambitions, while the co-CEO roles are held by Gentz and David Schröder.
Career
Schneider studied business administration at WHU, Otto Beisheim School of Management, where he met Robert Gentz. In October 2008 the two founded Zalando in Berlin with investment from the Samwer brothers, initially as an online shoe retailer.
He helped lead the company through its growth into a multi-brand fashion platform, its stock market listing in 2014 and its later entry into the DAX index. Over the years he was closely associated with Zalando's brand relationships, marketing and the platform's connection to fashion culture. In 2015, for example, he announced Zalando's takeover of the Berlin streetwear trade fair Bread & Butter.
Influence on the fashion business
As a founder of one of Europe's largest fashion platforms, Schneider has shaped how brands sell online across the continent. Zalando's move from a pure retailer to a platform model has given brands several ways to work with it:
- traditional wholesale, where Zalando buys and sells stock
- the Partner Program, where brands sell directly to Zalando customers
- logistics and operating services through ZEOS, launched in 2023
- marketing services through Zalando Marketing Services
Zalando describes itself as connecting tens of millions of active customers with thousands of brands across European markets. At that scale, decisions about partner terms, data sharing and services have a direct effect on how brands plan their assortments, stock and marketing for online fashion in Europe.
His current focus on strategic partnerships across the group reflects how important brand relationships have become to Zalando's model, particularly after it teamed up with About You in 2025.
Why it matters
Schneider is one of the founders who built European fashion e-commerce at scale. Zalando's platform, partnership and data-driven approach influences how many brands plan their digital distribution in Europe, and his work on group-wide partnerships sits at the centre of how the company works with the fashion industry.
Frequently asked questions
Who is David Schneider of Zalando?
David Schneider co-founded Zalando with Robert Gentz in Berlin in 2008. He previously served as co-chief executive and now focuses on group-wide strategic partnerships as a member of the management board.
Is David Schneider still CEO of Zalando?
No. Zalando's co-chief executives are Robert Gentz and David Schröder. Schneider remains on the management board as co-founder, focusing on strategic partnerships.