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Deloitte Legal advises Zalando SE on the establishment of a company and a branch in Shenzhen/China

An interdisciplinary and international Deloitte team led by Corporate/M&A partner and China expert Alexander Fischer (Frankfurt) has advised Zalando SE on the establishment of a company and a branch office in Shenzhen, China.

In addition to assisting with the steps required to set up the company itself, the advisory services included comprehensive advice on Chinese corporate and civil law issues with a focus on technology licensing, data protection and the legal and tax framework for information technology in China. On the tax side, Deloitte advised on the choice of investment location, the necessary tax registrations and local subsidy commitments. Another important contribution of the Deloitte team was to support Zalando in negotiations with local authorities and banks.

The subsidiary of Zalando SE, Zalando (Shenzhen) Technology Development Co. Ltd. will provide software development services, in particular consulting services in information technology and the integration of information systems. With the establishment of the technology centre in China, Zalando combines its expertise in social commerce with its understanding of the European market to provide customers with even better personalised inspiration and entertainment.

Founded in 2008 by David Schneider and Robert Gentz, Berlin-based and listed Zalando SE is an online platform for fashion and lifestyle in Europe and currently has more than 50 million active customers in 25 European markets. Zalando is active in several business areas - from its own web shop to private labels, from bricks-and-mortar stores in fifteen German cities to logistics and marketing services for partners.

Alexander Fischer (lawyer and partner) was responsible for Deloitte Legal's legal advisory services, with significant support from Xinyi Wang, LL.M. (Chinese lawyer/Lü Shi (PR China) and manager). Both are members of the Deloitte Legal China Desk and have in-depth knowledge of the Chinese culture, legal system and language. The tax advisory services were provided by Claus Schürmann (tax advisor and partner at Deloitte Hong Kong) and his team, who worked closely with Deloitte Shenzhen Tax, drawing on the local expertise available there.

The project underscores Deloitte's international and multidisciplinary consulting capabilities, particularly in projects that are becoming increasingly important and that involve the development of services and products based on experience and expertise in China.

Legal Advisors to Zalando SE:

Deloitte Legal: Alexander Fischer (Partner, Lead, Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt), Xinyi Wang, LL.M (Hamburg) (Manager, Corporate/Employment Law)

Deloitte Tax Hong Kong: Claus Schuermann (Partner, Lead, Tax/M&A), Rita Chan (Senior Manager, Tax/M&A)

 

Published: January 2025

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