Onboarding stage 2: Article mapping
This is for the second stage of the onboarding process: Article Mapping. Here you will match your article data to Zalando with the support of your technical partner directly in zDirect.
Introduction to the Article mapping stage
Welcome to the second stage of your onboarding journey with Zalando: Article Mapping.
During this stage, you will need to provide all necessary information for every article you wish to sell on Zalando. There are the general mandatory details for all articles regardless of product category, as well as specific requirements for each product category.
As a partner, you can onboard as many SKUs as you wish from your pre-approved silhouettes with no threshold or limits, as long as you have the legal right to sell them and they are in accordance with Zalando’s ethical standards.
Steps you will need to take during Article Mapping stage
Step 1: Map article data
The exact steps you need to take to map your articles (e.g., providing SKU, images, material information) will depend on your chosen integration method. You can choose between the following:
Direct Integration via zDirect UI (User Interface): you can refer to this guide for further details. Please note, this integration method currently applies only to Partners that use Zalando Fulfilment Solutions (ZFS) for their logistics.
Standard integration through third party integrators: you will need to share your article details through your integrator’s platform and onboard them that way, so please consult them on how to proceed.
Good to know
Please focus on never-out-of-stock or next season articles to ensure seasonal relevance once the onboarding journey is complete.
Check our Article Mapping Guide:
Check our Article Material Mapping Guide:
And our Silhouette guides,
our Image and content guides and our Article naming guidelines
Step 2: Provide stock and price feed data
Please ensure to have your stock available for each SKU and provide prices in zDirect. In the Zalando Partner Program, we onboard articles only if transmitted with at least three consecutive sizes for textile, and at least five consecutive sizes for shoes. Check our Stock and Size requirements for further information.
Step 3: Perform a test order (only for partners using self-fulfilment)
If you are using any of the following integrators: Tradebyte, Channel Advisor, Neteven, Anatwine, or Lengow, please follow the steps in this article to proceed with the test order using Test order option 1. Your Onboarding Manager will assist you throughout this process.
Make sure to get acquainted with Zalando’s Order Quality Assurance requirements before you perform the test order. You can find more information in the Order Quality Assurance FAQs.
Important
If you are using any other 3rd party integrator or are partnered with ZSS, follow Test order option 2. This test will be conducted during the Article Onboarding stage, and your Onboarding Manager will guide you through it.
Test orders are not available for ZFS partners.
Step 4: Confirm the channel technical launch to send data feed
To initiate the data feed transmission, let your Onboarding Manager know whether we can proceed with the technical launch for the sales countries/channel(s) you wish to activate.
Step 5: Review the custom price validation
Review the defined rule thresholds for the minimum price, the maximum price and the maximum discount percentage. See this article for more details:
Step 6: Confirm mapping completion
After completing the aforementioned tasks and finalising the mapping process, please inform your onboarding manager by replying to their most recent email. Following this, we will conduct the technical launch and move you to the next onboarding phase if all criteria have been met.
Steps your Integrator will need to take during Article Mapping stage (for third party integration only)
Step 1: Map article data
Your integrator is responsible for helping you to map your article data. The integrator will provide you with an interface for you to share your article details.
Step 2: Confirm mapping completion
Your integrator should inform Zalando once the article mapping is completed.They will export your mapped article data via data feed to Zalando.
Steps Zalando will take during the Article Mapping stage
Step 1: Share master data details
Zalando will share with you all master data details with all necessary attributes that are needed for article mapping.
Step 2: Follow up
Zalando will follow up with you on the article mapping process status to make sure everything goes smoothly and in a timely manner.
Step 3: Perform the technical launch
Zalando will perform the technical launch for the sales countries/channel(s) you wish to activate. After we are done, you should be able to see your articles on your zDirect account.
Step 4: Support you
Zalando will support you with any related questions that you may have during this process, e.g. article attributes, etc. For such, please contact your onboarding manager by replying to their latest email or sending a request via our contact form.
Best practice
Focus on never-out-of-stock or next season articles to ensure seasonal relevance once the onboarding journey is complete.
Make sure to follow all the Zalando mapping guidelines (article mapping, article naming, image, silhouette, sizing guides, etc.)
Carefully review the established thresholds for minimum and maximum price as well as the maximum discount percentage to ensure compliance with Zalando's pricing policy.
Working with a third party integrator:Any questions related to article mapping, correcting article data on the feed, receiving the article status overview, price updates should be addressed to the integrator directly, without Zalando involvement. Zalando receives all data transmitted on the feed via the integrator, and is unable to amend any data. This must be corrected on the integrator’s side.
Points of contact
Your main point of contact throughout the Article Mapping stage is your onboarding manager. They will be guiding you through your onboarding journey and will inform you about any potential blockers to your estimated go-live date, thus preventing delays. If you wish to contact or receive any additional support from your onboarding manager at any point along the process, please respond to their last communication or send a request via the contact form. You can also access this form directly through your your zDirect account. You may also reach out to your Sales manager for any additional support or guidance required
Next up: the Article Onboarding stage!