On October 6th, 2011 the pioneer in the online mail order sector announced to build a state-of-the-art distribution center in Erfurt's freight hub GVZ. Today - just 2 months later - the ground breaking ceremony took place in presence of the Thuringian economics minister Matthias Machnig. "This is world record", said Jordan Corynen from the Goodman Group which is developing the logistics project for Zalando. Minister Machnig confirmed that Thuringia is not only quick in its decisions and permits but is an excellent business location, too.

Zalando plans to invest Euro 100 mio and to create 1,000 new permanent jobs. 45,000 sqm of storage and office area will be built, expansion to a total of 78,000 sqm is planned. The first deliveries of shoes and clothes from Erfurt are scheduled for August 2012.