Global Blue Acquires ZigZag Global, a Leading E-commerce Returns Platform
8.3.2021 15:01:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
Global Blue today announced the acquisition of ZigZag, a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology platform that helps retailers manage worldwide e-commerce returns and exchanges more profitably, and consumers to enjoy a smoother and enhanced return experience.
ZigZag enables merchants to optimise their e-commerce growth
E-commerce returns are a big problem for retailers with more than 40% of orders on average being returned.
ZigZag’s technology platform addresses this issue by digitalising the e-commerce returns process and improving the returns experience for both consumers and retailers.
It replaces outdated paper-based “label in the box” solutions with a best in class online returns portal that offers a greater range of shipping options including post office, parcel shops, lockers and collection from home, as well as exchange alternatives.
In parallel, it optimises retailers’ profitability by reducing logistical costs via consolidation, local market resale, and inbound consumer queries, as well as by allowing exchanges versus simply return of goods.
With e-commerce expanding rapidly and further accelerating during the COVID-19 pandemic, an efficient returns platform is key to both mass and luxury retailers, who are experiencing accelerating growth in their online sales and operations.
ZigZag’s platform integrates with over 30 leading merchant e-commerce software platforms, enabling retailers to access ZigZag’s reverse logistics network comprising 450+ carrier services and 220 warehouses in 130 countries.
As of December 2020, Zigzag’s technology powered approximately 100 global ecommerce retailers and recorded dramatic growth of more than 500% of its processed returns in 2020 versus 2019.
Global Blue and ZigZag combination creates complementary benefits
With both companies operating in the retail ecosystem, Global Blue and ZigZag will join forces to empower merchants to capture growth opportunities through omni-channel technology and payment solutions.
With e-commerce business booming and becoming even more crucial for luxury brands, Global Blue will benefit from ZigZag’s e-commerce expertise, extending its relationships with its existing and future clients.
In parallel, ZigZag will enhance its rapid growth by cross-selling its solutions into Global Blue’s extensive merchant network and by enhancing its value proposition through integration of Global Blue’s payments and data capabilities.
$70 million of equity capital raised to fund the acquisition
Global Blue, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Ticker: GB), has raised $70 million via a private placement of common stock issued to new institutional investors to fully fund ZigZag acquisition. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is acting as equity private placement agent.
Jacques Stern, CEO and President of Global Blue commented:
“With this first acquisition since our listing on the New York Stock Exchange in August 2020, Global Blue has the ambition to become a strategic omni-channel technology and payments partner empowering merchants to capture growth opportunities.
ZigZag is an exciting, fast-growing, emerging leader in e-commerce, specialised in the management of e-commerce returns. The synergies between the two companies are strong and will help both of us to grow faster.”
Al Gerrie, CEO and Founder of ZigZag added:
“As a market leader focused on technological innovation for merchants and consumers, Global Blue is an ideal fit for ZigZag. We are confident that our partnership and our ambitious joint investment plan will accelerate our growth even further.”
The transaction is expected to close by the end of March 2021.
ABOUT GLOBAL BLUE
Global Blue pioneered the concept of Tax Free Shopping 40 years ago. Through continuous innovation, it has become the leading strategic technology and payments partner, empowering merchants to capture the growth of international shoppers.
The Group connects all stakeholders involved in the international shopping ecosystem, helping:
- More than 29 million international shoppers receive a seamless and personalised shopping experience, enabling them to claim back the VAT on their eligible purchases when they shop abroad and to pay in their home currency at a guaranteed best rate,
- More than 300,000 points of sale, including leading department stores and luxury brands, identify growth opportunities through smart data and intelligence solutions, increase footfall through data-driven marketing solutions and convert traffic into merchant revenue through innovative in-store technologies,
- More than 50 acquirers, at around 130,000 points of interaction, benefit from additional revenue streams and offer merchants and travellers Dynamic Currency Conversion options and other Added-Value Payment Solutions,
- Customs & authorities in more than 40 countries increase country attractiveness and ensure a secure and compliant Tax Free Shopping scheme.
In the financial year ending 31 March 2020, Global Blue processed 35 million Tax Free Shopping transactions with a total value of €18.5 billion sales in store, and 31 million Added-Value Payment Solutions transactions with a total value of €4.4 billion sales in store.
Global Blue has over 2,000 employees in more than 50 countries.
For more information, visit http://www.globalblue.com/corporate/
ABOUT ZIGZAG GLOBAL
ZigZag Global is a software solution to help ecommerce retailers manage returns domestically and globally.
The ZigZag platform connects major retailers to a global network of over 220 warehouses to over 450+ carrier services in over 130 countries. ZigZag's clients include boohoo group, Selfridges, GAP, Superdry, DHL, The Hut Group and many more.
ZigZag delivers best in class technology and service to transform the returns experience globally. ZigZag’s mission is to reduce the cost, waste and friction associated with returns, boost customer loyalty and make retailers more profitable and sustainable.
ZigZag was the winner of the Best eCommerce Technology Innovation and Best Product at eCommerce Expo 2020, Innovation in Delivery and Logistics Award at the eCommerce Awards 2019, won the KPMG Best British Tech Startup 2019 (London round), was a finalist at The Circulars at the World Economic Forum 2019 in Davos, is listed in the Retail Tech Top 50, The StartUps Top 100, Disrupt 100. ZigZag won the 2018 Shop.org Disruption and Innovation Award, 2018 World Post and Parcel Awards for Ecommerce and Innovation, 2018 Postal Pitch in Washington, 2018 Millennial 20:20 Ecommerce Enabler, 2017 ShopTalk Startup award along with a 25,000 Euro prize. It also won the 2017 Sustainability Award in Milan, 2017 Innovation Award at IRX, StartUps 100 Winner 2017. 2016 Global award at the World Retail Congress in Dubai for innovation, Mark of Excellence - Disruptor of the Year 2016 - Supply Chain Awards, Winner at London Technology Week – GetInTheRing.
ZigZag is also proud to be a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
ZigZag is a British Company, headquartered in London.
For more information, visit http://www.zigzag.global
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005430/en/
Contact information
MEDIA CONTACTS
Domitille Pinta – VP Group Communication
Mob: 00 33 6 11 07 52 90 – Mail: dpinta@globalblue.com
Contact Laura Hare – laura.hare@zigzag.global for media enquiries
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Yamaha to Acquire Disguise, Expanding Its Capabilities in Integrated Audio, Video, Lighting and Media13.11.2026 09:00:00 EET | Press release
Yamaha Corporation today announced an agreement to acquire Disguise Technologies Limited (“Disguise”), a London-based provider of software and media server technologies for live and immersive experiences. Yamaha will acquire the company by purchasing all shares in its parent, Butterfly Topco Limited. The acquisition will expand Yamaha’s capabilities beyond audio into integrated audio, video, lighting and media solutions, in line with its strategy to expand beyond hardware into software and services. By combining Yamaha’s audio expertise and global reach with Disguise’s software, technologies and worldwide partner network, the companies will be better positioned to deliver immersive experiences across live entertainment, sports and other venues. Disguise’s technology powers live and immersive experiences worldwide, including tours by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift and venues such as New York’s Radio City Music Hall and Intuit Dome in California. “People are seeking richer and more immersive e
Mexico Becomes the First Market Worldwide to Receive Approval for Galderma’s Restylane ® Shaype™ for Both Chin and Its First Jawline Indication13.11.2026 08:00:00 EET | Press release
Galderma (SIX: GALD), the pure-play dermatology category leader, today announced that Restylane Shaype has been approved for temporary augmentation in the chin area and improvement of jawline definition in Mexico.1 This is the product’s first approval globally for the jawline, and further expands its availability for chin augmentation, where it is already approved across various markets globally including Europe, Brazil, Canada and Thailand. Restylane Shaype has been purposefully developed as a firmer gel to deliver a unique bone-mimicking effect and enable natural-looking structural enhancement without surgery.3-6 The lower face plays a pivotal role in overall facial balance, influencing proportions and profile,4 with recent market research conducted by Galderma finding that the chin is the third most treated area in existing HA injectable users.7 In the chin, genetic factors and age-related changes can lead to reduced definition and poor projection.4,8 In the jawline, factors such as
vVARDIS Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering13.11.2026 07:02:00 EET | Press release
vVARDIS Holding AG (“vVARDIS”), a Swiss healthcare company operating in the dental med-tech sector, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 9,722,223 Class A ordinary shares at a public offering price of $18.00 per share. In connection with the offering, vVARDIS has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,458,333 Class A ordinary shares at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments. The Class A ordinary shares are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 13, 2026 under the symbol “VVVV.” The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about November 16, 2026 subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the offering, with William Blair, UBS Investment Bank and Deutsche Bank Securities acting as bookrunners. A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the offering has been file
Empire State Building Observation Deck to Debut ‘Olympus Awaits,’ An Immersive ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Takeover in the Heart of NYC, On Display from Nov. 16 – Dec. 4*13.11.2026 00:07:00 EET | Press release
The Empire State Building (ESB) is the gateway to Mount Olympus in Percy Jackson’s world, and now fans can experience the magic like never before. On Nov. 16, the Empire State Building Observation Deck (ESBOD) will unveil “Olympus Awaits,” a multi-level “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” takeover, in partnership with Disney+. The immersive takeover – included with every Observation Deck ticket – will feature an epic Throne Room, interactive photo opportunities, surprise giveaways, ESB x “Percy Jackson” merch, and more, available through Dec. 4, 2026.* This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261112442266/en/ Empire State Building Observation Deck to Debut ‘Olympus Awaits,’ An Immersive ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Takeover in the Heart of NYC, On Display from Nov. 16 – Dec. 4* “This immersive NYC experience brings Percy Jackson’s adventures off the screen and into the ‘World’s Most Famous Building,’ where guests ca
Clene Nanomedicine Partners with Veristat to Reduce Biostatistical Output Time by 80% for ALS New Drug Application12.11.2026 19:09:00 EET | Press release
VeristatTM, a global clinical research organization (CRO) and consultancy specializing in complex studies, announced that it has partnered with Clene Nanomedicine to cut the time to deliver biostatistical outputs for a pivotal ALS drug application submission by 80%. Veristat reduced the time from study data to validated tables, listings and figures (TLFs) from up to six weeks to just one week. Clene, a late-stage biotech company, leveraged Veristat’s recently launched InStat™ platform, the industry’s first zero-code, fully automated solution to accelerate clinical trial processes. Biostatistical TLFs sit on the critical path for submissions, yet most sponsors rely on antiquated processes that involve slow, manual workflows to produce them, making post-database lock one of the biggest bottlenecks to regulatory approval. To remove this barrier, Veristat uses its AI-enhanced platform to compress the timeline to submission-ready TLFs from weeks to days, with every output validated by stati
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom