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Zalando

Thanks to the Zalando partner programme, online sellers and manufacturers can use Zalando as an additional distribution channel for selling their high-quality products and take advantage of the well-known brand name Zalando.

1. About automatic data exchange

Connecting to this market allows for the following automatic functions to take place:

Data Interval

Item export

plentymarkets generates an XML file with the item data once daily during the night (artikel.xml). Zalando usually retrieves this XML once per day.

Stock synchronisation

Every 15 minutes, asynchronous
Stock for 1,000 variations is updated per minute. If the API limit set by Zalando is reached, the remaining stock details are sent once the API is unlocked after one minute.

Price synchronisation

Every 15 minutes

Order import

Every 5 minutes

2. Registering with Zalando

Do you want to join the Zalando partner programme? Then contact Zalando directly .

3. After registration

You have signed a contract with Zalando. Great. What happens now?

  • Contact our support team in the Multi-Channel: Zalando  category of the plentymarkets forum.

  • Our support team will provide you with a CSV file. This file contains the following information:

    • Routes for items and stock

    • User name and password

    • Login details for the plentymarkets FTP server for silhouettes
      Tip: Zalando sends your silhouettes to this FTP server for import into your system.

  • Send this form to your Zalando contact person.

  • Complete the assistant Account settings - Zalando.

  • Set up the interface to Zalando in your plentymarkets system as described on this page.

  • Activate your Zalando account in the assistant. (How?)

4. Setting up Zalando in plentymarkets

As soon as Zalando has accepted you into their partner programme, you will receive a user guide from Zalando which helps you setting up the interface. In plentymarkets, carry out the basic settings described below.

Setting up Zalando in plentymarkets:

  1. Go to Setup » Markets » Zalando » Settings.
    → The Settings tab opens.

  2. Carry out the settings as described in Table 1.

  3. Save () the settings.

Table 1. Basic settings for the market Zalando
Setting Explanation

Basic configuration

User

Select the API user account. The account for the API user account is created during the initial setup of your plentymarkets system.

Item name

Select Name 1, Name 2, or Name 3. The name you select will be exported to Zalando.

Assignment client (store)

Select a client (store). Zalando orders will be assigned to this client.

Warehouse selection

This setting is no longer in use since the switch to the zDirect API (27/10/2021). Instead, select the sales warehouses in the assistant Account settings - Zalando.

Advanced options

Stock buffer

This setting is no longer in use since the switch to the zDirect API (27/10/2021). Instead, set a stock buffer in the assistant Account settings - Zalando.

Quantity for items that are not limited to the stock

This setting is no longer in use since the switch to the zDirect API (27/10/2021). Instead, set the quantity in the assistant Account settings - Zalando.

Maximum for item upload

This setting is no longer in use since the switch to the zDirect API (27/10/2021). Instead, set the maximum stock in the assistant Account settings - Zalando.

Standard tax rate

Select 19% or 7%.

Reduced tax rate

Select 19% or 7%.

5. Carrying out settings in the assistant

Use the assistant Account settings - Zalando in the Setup » Assistants » Omni-Channel menu to quickly and conveniently set up your Zalando account in plentymarkets.

Carrying out settings in the assistant:

  1. Go to Setup » Assistants » Plugins » [Select plugin set].

  2. Click on the assistant Account settings - Zalando.

  3. Follow the instructions on the screen. If you need additional information about one of the options, expand the info boxes shown below this instruction ().

  4. In the step Summary, check your settings to makes sure they are correct.
    Tip: Click on the arrow in the step Summary () to show the settings.

  5. If everything is as it should be, click on Finalise.
    → The settings are saved.

Step Orders
Setting Explanation

Would you like to import your Zalando orders into plentymarkets?

Activate to automatically import orders every five minutes.
Note: You need to activate this option to export item data and stock information to Zalando.

Select an environment for the order import.

Select if real or test data is to be imported.

  • Sandbox = Test data is imported from Zalando.

  • Productive = Real orders are imported from Zalando.

Select the client that should be used to sell your items.

Select a client (store). Zalando orders will be assigned to this client.

Do you also want to import reservations?

Items are considered reserved if a customer has placed an order which has either not been paid for or has not been released for shipping by Zalando.
If this option is activated, reservations will be imported into plentymarkets with the status [3] Waiting for payment.
If Zalando confirms the payment of the order and it changes to the status approved on Zalando, the order changes to status [5] Cleared for shipping in plentymarkets. As soon as an order is moved into status [5], it can be shipped.
Note: Orders can only be shipped in status [5] Cleared for shipping. An order which is still in status [3] Waiting for payment must not be shipped.

What order status do you want to assign to reservations?

Reservations are imported with status [3] Waiting for payment by default and have to be moved into another status [8.X] after they were cancelled by the customer or by Zalando. In this step, you decide which status cancelled reservations should be moved to.
Note: Select a status that does not trigger an event procedure to Zalando as a result of the status change. Any orders that customers cancel before the import of reservations is started are not imported.

Map plentymarkets reason for return with

From the drop-down list, select a Zalando return reason for each return reason saved in plentymarkets. The return reasons are only transmitted for the order type Return and if they are saved in the order items of the return.

Zalando currently has the following reasons for return:

  • Unknown reason

  • Do not like the item

  • Too big

  • Too small

  • Bad value for money

  • Not delivered on time

  • Item not as expected

  • Wrong item sent

  • Item defective

Note: Sending reasons of return to Zalando is optional. However, Zalando recommends that you send a reason.
Step Stock
Setting Explanation

Do you want to export stock information to Zalando?

Activate stock export = Activate option to export your stock to Zalando every 15 minutes.

To which Zalando interface environment do you want to export stock information?

Select if real or test data is to be exported.

  • Sandbox = Test data is exported to Zalando.

  • Productive = Real stock data is exported to Zalando.

From which sales warehouses do you want to export stock information to Zalando?

Select one or more sales warehouses. The totalled net stock of these sales warehouses is exported.
Tip: You can also select a Stock buffer in this step of the assistant. The totalled net stock of the sales warehouses you selected is then reduced by the quantity you entered as the stock buffer.

How much stock should be exported at maximum?

If a variation has a higher stock, the value you entered in the Maximum stock field will be exported instead.

Which stock buffer should be deducted from the exported stock?

The quantity you enter in the * Stock buffer*field is deducted from the net stock of each variation before export.

How much stock should be exported for variations without limitation to net stock that have no positive net stock?

In the field Stock without stock limitation, enter the stock to be exported for variations that have no positive net stock. Variations that have no positive net stock are variations with the setting Tab: Settings, Setting: Limitation, Option: None that have no positive net stock.

How much stock should be exported for variations without stock administration?

In the field Stock without stock administration, enter the stock to be exported for variations for which no stock is administered. Variations for which no stock is administered are variations with the setting Tab: Settings, Dropdown list: Limitation, Option: Do not administer stock for this variation. The entered value is exported for these variations.
Step Prices
Setting Explanation

Do you want to export prices to Zalando?

Activate price update = Activate option to export your prices to Zalando every 15 minutes.
Tip: The price reports contain information on the status of price updates.

How to download price reports

To which interface environment should prices be exported?

Select if real or test data is to be exported.

  • Sandbox = Test data is exported to Zalando.

  • Productive = Real price data is exported to Zalando.

Should warnings by Zalando for price updates be ignored?

During price updates, Zalando checks the plausibility of your prices based on specific criteria. For example, Zalando compares the prices of the same variations on different platforms and compares the regular price with the reduced price. If any significant differences are detected, Zalando triggers a warning. Select if such warnings should be ignored when prices are updated.

  • = The new prices are published even if Zalando sends a warning.

  • (default setting) = Zalando rejects new prices if they do not pass the plausibility checks.
    Tip: Check the Data » Log menu and the price reports for warnings.

Which sales price should be exported as the regular price for Zalando?

Select the sales price from the drop-down list that you want to export to Zalando as the Regular price. You can select from sales prices of the types Default or RRP for which the referrer Zalando, the country and the currency of the country are activated.
Note: If you specify a reduced price for a variation, the regular price is exported to Zalando as the strikethrough price.

Which sales price should be exported as the reduced price for Zalando?

Select the sales price from the drop-down list that you want to export to Zalando as the Reduced price. You can select from sales prices of the types Offer price or Default for which the referrer Zalando, the country and the currency of the country are activated.
Note: If you specify a reduced price for a variation, the regular price is exported to Zalando as the strikethrough price.

Use scheduled prices to announce any temporary or permanent price changes to Zalando ahead of time.

Define up to three scheduled prices. Scheduled prices ensure that Zalando really changes your prices at the specified time. To export scheduled prices to Zalando, you need at least a sales price for the regular price and a property that contains the start date and time for the new price. The start date for scheduled prices must be in the future. You can also select a property for an end date for a scheduled price.

  • Property for start date = Select the property from the drop-down list that you use to manage the start time for your variations. You can only select properties of the types Date or Text.
    Note: The start times of more than one scheduled prices must be separated by at least 60 minutes.

  • Property for end date (optional) = Select the property from the drop-down list that you use to manage the end time for your variations. You can only select properties of the types Date or Text.

  • Select price = Select the sales price from the drop-down list that you want to export to Zalando as the Scheduled price.
Step Account activation

Would you like to activate your Zalando account now?

  • Activated () = Data is exchanged with Zalando.

  • Deactivated () = Data is not exchanged with Zalando.

  • This account cannot be activated. = Data is not exchanged with Zalando. To activate Zalando’s zDirect API interface, your Zalando account must be linked to the plentymarkets developer account. This link is established automatically during the integration. However, plentymarkets also needs to generate additional credentials for the API and then save these credentials in your system. We cannot give you access to these credentials. As such, plentymarkets cannot give you access to these credentials. Ask our support staff to activate your account in this thread of the plentymarkets forum. In the forum post, provide the following information:

    • The company/brand name you used to register with Zalando

    • Your plenty ID

    • The ID of the Zalando account (accountId) in plentymarkets that you want to activate for the Zalando interface
      Note: Only one account can be linked in plentymarkets for each Zalando seller account.

6. Linking categories

Link your plentymarkets categories to the Zalando categories in order to display your variations in these categories.

Linking categories:

  1. Go to Setup » Markets » Zalando » Category link.
    → A list of your categories is shown in the column Category.
    → In the column Zalando category, you can link a Zalando category to each of your plentymarkets categories.

  2. In the column Zalando category, select a Zalando category from the drop-down list for all categories that you need.

  3. Save () the settings.
    → The categories are linked to the selected Zalando categories.
    → New variations that you create for the plentymarkets category are also assigned to the linked Zalando category.

7. Activating the order referrer

An order referrer tags an order with the sales channel on which the order was generated. You also need to activate the order referrer in order to link items, characteristics etc. with Zalando. Go to Setup » Orders » Order referrer to activate the order referrer.

Activating the order referrer for Zalando:

  1. Go to Setup » Orders » Order referrer.

  2. Activate the option Zalando.

  3. Save () the settings.

8. Defining a sales price

Sales prices define the conditions under which a variation is sold at a specific price and on a specific sales channel. That means that to sell variations on Zalando, you need a sales price in which the order referrer Zalando is activated. The price that you save for this sales price is the price that will be shown on Zalando.

Defining a sales price for Zalando:

  1. Go to Setup » Item » Sales prices » [Open sales price].
    Tip: No sales prices? Then create a new sales price first.

  2. Open the Settings tab.

  3. Activate the referrer Zalando.

  4. Save () the settings.

9. Setting the variation availability

You need to activate the variations that you want to sell on Zalando. This is done in the Availability tab of a variation within the Item » Edit item » [Open item] » [Open variation] menu.

Making a variation available for Zalando:

  1. Go to Item » Edit item » [Open item] » [Open variation].
    → The tab Settings of the variation is shown.
    Tip: To sell all variations of an item on Zalando, carry out the settings for the item’s main variation. This activates the availability of all variations of the item.

  2. In the Availability area, activate the option Active.

  3. Click on the Availability tab.

  4. In the Markets area, click in the selection field.
    → A list of all available markets is displayed.

  5. Activate the option Zalando.

  6. Activate the option Web API.

  7. Click on Add ().
    → The market is added.

  8. Save () the settings.
    → The variation is available for Zalando.

The variation group function allows you to edit several variations at once. You select the variations that you want to edit.

Making several variations available for Zalando using the variation group function:

  1. Go to Item » Edit item.

  2. Set the filter Table type to Variations.

  3. Choose additional filters on the left if needed and click on Search ().

  4. Select () the variations to be edited from the overview on the right.

  5. Click on Variation group function.
    → The Variation group function window opens.

  6. Navigate to the area Market availability.

  7. Activate the checkbox to the left of the option Zalando.

  8. Activate the checkbox to the right of the option Zalando.

  9. Activate the checkbox to the left of the option Web API.

  10. Activate the checkbox to the right of the option Web API.

  11. Navigate to the area Availability.

  12. Activate the checkbox to the left of the option Active.

  13. Activate the checkbox to the right of the option Active.

  14. Click on Execute to apply the settings.

Batch processing allows you to edit several variations at once. You use filters to limit which variations are edited.

Making several variations available for Zalando using batch processing:

  1. Go to Item » Batch processing.

  2. Click on the tab Variations in the upper left corner.

  3. Use the filters on the left to specify which variations should be processed.

  4. Navigate to the area Market availability.

  5. Activate the checkbox to the left of the option Zalando.

  6. Activate the checkbox to the right of the option Zalando.

  7. Activate the checkbox to the left of the option Web API.

  8. Activate the checkbox to the right of the option Web API.

  9. Navigate to the area Availability.

  10. Activate the checkbox to the left of the option Active.

  11. Activate the checkbox to the right of the option Active.

  12. Click on Apply to apply the settings to the variations.

10. Optional: Saving SKU

SKU are generated automatically when your variations are exported. However, you can also save market specific SKU for variations that you want to sell on this market instead.

  1. Go to Item » Edit item » [Open item] » [Open variation] » Tab: Settings.

  2. Click on the Availability tab.

  3. In the SKU area, click on Add ().
    → The New SKU window opens.

  4. Select the referrer Zalando.

  5. Enter the SKU.

  6. Click on Add ().
    → The SKU is saved and displayed.

Only the most important settings for the import are described here. Is this your first time working with the import tool? Then get familiar with how data imports work in plentymarkets first.

  • Create a CSV file with at least the columns described in Table 2.

  • Create an import with the following settings:

    • Select the type Item.

    • Select the matching field Variation ID.

    • Map the plentymarkets data fields as described in Table 2.

Table 2. Recommended columns of the import file
Column in CSV file Explanation plentymarkets data field for mapping

Variation ID

Enter the variation ID in this column.

Variation ID

Market ID

Enter the referrer ID 118 in this column.

SKU > Marketplace ID

Account ID

This market does not require a marketplace account. As such, enter the number 0 in this column.

SKU > Marketplace ID

SKU

Enter the SKU that you want to save for the variation for this market in this column.

SKU > SKU

11. Converting silhouettes to characteristics

Zalando groups products into "silhouettes". Zalando also calls these silhouettes "article types". For example, "skirts", "dresses", and "trousers" are all silhouettes. In the Setup » Markets » Zalando » Settings » Tab: Silhouettes menu, you convert Zalando silhouettes to item characteristics. Silhouettes are imported into plentymarkets when Zalando is first set up. When Zalando publishes new silhouettes, plentymarkets updates these silhouettes on the following Wednesday. After that, you can convert new silhouettes into characteristics if necessary.

Converting silhouettes to characteristics:

  1. Go to Setup » Markets » Zalando » Settings.

  2. Click on the Silhouettes tab.

  3. Select the Groups for the characteristics that you want to convert.
    Note: No groups? Either Zalando has not provided the silhouettes or you have not sent the FTP credentials to Zalando (see After the registration).

  4. Save () the settings.
    → Characteristics are created in your plentymarkets system based on the silhouettes.

12. Linking characteristics to items

Link the Zalando characteristics with the items that you want to sell on Zalando.

Link at least the following mandatory characteristics to export your variations to Zalando:

  • 1. Farbcode (colour code)

  • Altersgruppe(n) (age group(s))

  • Form of address (Geschlecht)

  • Größenregister (size list)

  • Hersteller-Code (manufacturer code)

  • Manufacturer colour

  • Jahreszeiten-Code (Seasonal code)

  • Silhouetten-Typ (silhouette type)

Tip: Exporting a file with Zalando item characteristics

Several hundred characteristics are created in plentymarkets when you convert the Zalando silhouettes to characteristics. To make it easier to work with these characteristics, you can export the characteristics to a file. This gives you quick access to the IDs of your Zalando characteristics. This gives you easy access to the IDs of the Zalando characteristics. For example, this will help you to link the characteristics to your items using the import tool.

Exporting Zalando item characteristics:

  1. Go to Setup » Markets » Zalando » Settings.

  2. Click on the Silhouettes tab.

  3. Click on Export Zalando item characteristics.
    → A file that contains the Zalando characteristics is exported.

  4. Save the file on your computer. Tip: Table 3 explains the file’s columns. For further information on characteristics, refer to the Characteristics and properties page.

Table 3. Zalando characteristics
Column Explanation

Group name

Names of the characteristic groups

Silhouette

Values of all silhouettes

Characteristic ID

IDs of the characteristics, see also Setup » Items » Characteristics

Characteristics type

Characteristic type

  • empty = No type

  • text = Text

  • int = Whole number

  • selection = Selection ID

Mandatory entry

0 = The characteristic is optional. 1 = The characteristic must be exported. Items that are not linked to this characteristic cannot be exported to Zalando.
Note: Characteristics may also contain the value 1 because links to other selected characteristics exist. Observe the documentation provided by Zalando.

Language

The language of the characteristic. Currently, only German is available.

Linking a characteristic to an item:

  1. Go to Item » Edit item.

  2. Open the item.

  3. Click on the Characteristics tab.

  4. Activate the characteristic in the Activate further characteristics area.

  5. Save () the settings.
    → The characteristics are displayed in the Characteristics area.

  6. Optional: Carry out additional settings. Pay attention to the explanations regarding characteristics.

  7. Save () the settings.

13. Linking attributes

If you have created attributes in your plentymarkets system, you need to link these attributes with Zalando. The following example describes how you can link the attribute “colour” with Zalando. Link further attributes in the same way.

Link at least the following attributes to export your variations to Zalando:

  • Größe (size register)

and/or

  • A colour for the 1st Farbcode (colour code)/Herstellerfarbe (manufacturer colour)

and/or

  • Länge (length register) for length information (e.g. skirt length)

You can only link one size register or one length register to each attribute.

Linking attribute "Colour":

  1. Go to Setup » Item » Attributes.
    → An overview of all existing attributes opens.

  2. Open the attribute Colour.

  3. Click on the Attribute link tab.

  4. From the list of markets, select the option Zalando.
    → The area for linking attributes is shown.

  5. From the drop-down list Categories, select the attribute Colour.

  6. From the drop-down list Market attributes, select a market value for each attribute value.
    Example: For the colour Purple, from the first drop-down list select the option dark purple and from the second drop-down list select the option Purple.

  7. Save () the settings.

  8. Repeat this process for the remaining attributes.

14. Activating the payment method

As soon as an active account for Zalando exists, the payment method Zalando Payment is automatically available in your plentymarkets system. No separate configurations are needed for this. You just need to permit the payment method in one or more customer classes.

Permitting the payment method in a customer class:

  1. Go to Setup » CRM » Classes.

  2. Open the customer class for which you want to permit the payment method.

  3. For the setting Permitted payment methods, activate the option Zalando Payment.

  4. Save () the settings.

15. Check list for exporting variations

Zalando expects some mandatory product information. That means that a variation can be exported to the market if this mandatory information is saved for the variation. The information listed in Table 4 must be saved for all variations that you want to export to Zalando.

Table 4. Mandatory fields for the variation
Mandatory data Explanation

EAN

An EAN must be saved for the variation.

  • In the Setup » Item » Barcode menu, an EAN must be created and linked to the referrer Zalando.

  • The EAN must be added to the Settings tab of the variation in the Barcode area and a barcode code must be entered.

Technical data

Technical data must be saved for the item.

  • In the Texts tab of the item, text must be saved in the Technical data field.

Images

An image must be saved for the variation.

  • in the Images tab of the item, the option Zalando must be selected from the drop-down list Availability.

Price

A price must be saved for the variation.

  • The sales price must be activated for the referrer Zalando in the Setup » Item » Sales prices.

  • The sales price must be added in the Settings tab in the Sales price area of the variation.

  • A price must be saved for the sales price.

Supplier SKU

An supplier SKU must be saved for each variation. Save this supplier SKU in the Model field of your variations.

Properties

As a minimum, the following mandatory characteristics need to be linked to an item:

  • 1. Farbcode (colour code)

  • Altersgruppe(n) (age group(s))

  • Form of address (Geschlecht)

  • Größenregister (size list)

  • Hersteller-Code (manufacturer code)

  • Manufacturer colour

  • Jahreszeiten-Code (Seasonal code)

  • Silhouetten-Typ (silhouette type)

Attributes

As a minimum, the following attributes must be linked to the variation:

  • Größe (size register)

and/or

  • A colour for the 1st Farbcode (colour code)/Herstellerfarbe (manufacturer colour)

and/or

  • Länge (length register) for length information (e.g. skirt length)

You can only link one size register or one length register to each attribute.

16. Automating order processing

The following event procedures are available for automating order processing with zDirect:

  • Automatically sending shipping confirmations (zDirect) (How?)

  • Automatically sending cancellations (zDirect) (How?)

  • Automatically sending returns (zDirect) (How?)

16.1. Automatically sending shipping confirmations (zDirect)

A shipping confirmation can only be sent if an order meets the following conditions:

  • A package number must be saved for the order.
    Note: Only one package number can be exported per order. If more than one package number is associated with an order, only the first package number is exported.

  • The tracking ID of the return label must be saved for the order.

Tip: How to save the tracking ID

You can save the tracking ID in several different ways:

Set up an event procedure to automatically send shipping confirmations to Zalando when the outgoing items have been booked.

Setting up an event procedure

  1. Go to Setup » Orders » Events.

  2. Click on Add event procedure ().
    → The Create new event procedure window opens.

  3. Enter a distinct Name for the event procedure.

  4. Select the Event according to Table 5.

  5. Save () the settings.

  6. Carry out the further settings according to Table 5.

  7. Activate the option Active ().

  8. Save () the settings.
    Note: The data is not transferred in real time when the event procedure is triggered. Instead, the data is registered in a queue. As such, transferring the data can take up to several minutes if a large number of jobs need to be processed. On the plus side, this means that several retries will be performed if the target server is throttled or not responding.

Table 5. Event procedure for automatically sending shipping confirmations to Zalando
Setting Option Selection

Event

Order change: Outgoing items booked
Note: You can select a different event. However, ensure that the selected event is only triggered once the order contains all information necessary to send a shipping confirmation.

Filter 1

Order > Order type

Order

Filter 2

Order > Referrer

Zalando

Procedure

Shipping > Send shipping confirmation to Zalando

16.2. Automatically sending cancellations (zDirect)

Set up an event procedure to automatically inform Zalando of cancellations. Note that orders marked as shipped can no longer be cancelled.

Setting up an event procedure

  1. Go to Setup » Orders » Events.

  2. Click on Add event procedure ().
    → The Create new event procedure window opens.

  3. Enter a distinct Name for the event procedure.

  4. Select the Event according to Table 6.

  5. Save () the settings.

  6. Carry out the further settings according to Table 6.

  7. Activate the option Active ().

  8. Save () the settings.
    Note: The data is not transferred in real time when the event procedure is triggered. Instead, the data is registered in a queue. As such, transferring the data can take up to several minutes if a large number of jobs need to be processed. On the plus side, this means that several retries will be performed if the target server is throttled or not responding.

Table 6. Event procedure for automatically sending cancellations to Zalando
Setting Option Selection

Event

Status change

Select a status, for example [8.0] Cancelled
Note: You can select a different event. However, ensure that the selected event is not triggered for orders that are flagged as shipped or that are cancelled by customers.

Filter 1

Order > Order type

Order

Filter 2

Order > Referrer

Zalando

Procedure

Order > Send cancellation to Zalando

16.3. Automatically sending returns (zDirect)

Set up an event procedure to automatically inform Zalando about returns. Note that the order must be flagged as shipped.

Return reasons will only be transmitted if the event procedure is used in combination with a return order and if the return reasons were mapped in the assistant.
Setting up an event procedure

  1. Go to Setup » Orders » Events.

  2. Click on Add event procedure ().
    → The Create new event procedure window opens.

  3. Enter a distinct Name for the event procedure.

  4. Select the Event according to Table 7.

  5. Save () the settings.

  6. Carry out the further settings according to Table 7.

  7. Activate the option Active ().

  8. Save () the settings.
    Note: The data is not transferred in real time when the event procedure is triggered. Instead, the data is registered in a queue. As such, transferring the data can take up to several minutes if a large number of jobs need to be processed. On the plus side, this means that several retries will be performed if the target server is throttled or not responding.

Table 7. Event procedure for automatically sending returns to Zalando
Setting Option Selection

Event

Order generation: New return
Note: You can select a different event. However, if you also want to communicate the return reason to Zalando, ensure that the return reasons are saved for the return.

Filter 1

Order > Order type

Return

Filter 2

Order > Referrer

Zalando

Procedure

Return > Send return to Zalando

17. Activating the Zalando account

After you have saved the settings for Zalando, activate your Zalando account in the assistant Account settings - Zalando. To open the assistant, go to Setup » Assistants » Omni-Channel.

What to do if This account cannot be activated.

Data is not exchanged with Zalando. To activate Zalando’s zDirect API interface, your Zalando account must be linked to the plentymarkets developer account. This link is established automatically during the integration. However, plentymarkets also needs to generate additional credentials for the API and then save these credentials in your system. We cannot give you access to these credentials. As such, plentymarkets is not allowed to give you access to these credentials. Ask our support staff to activate your account in this thread  of the plentymarkets forum.

In the forum post, provide the following information:

  • The company/brand name you used to register with Zalando

  • Your plenty ID

  • The ID of the Zalando account (accountId) in plentymarkets that you want to activate for the Zalando interface
    Note: Only one account can be linked in plentymarkets for each Zalando seller account.

Activating the Zalando account:

  1. Go to Setup » Assistants » Omni-Channel.

  2. Click on the assistant Account settings - Zalando.

  3. Navigate to the step Account activation.

  4. Activate the option Activate user account.

  5. Complete the assistant.
    → The account settings are saved.
    → The data exchange with Zalando is activated.

18. Download reports

There are a number of reports available for Zalando. Go to the Setup » Markets » Zalando » Settings » Tab: processing reports menu to download the following reports:

Report Explanation

Export-Log

zalandoArticleExportLog.txt

The export log zalandoArticleExportLog.txt contains log entries for variations that could not be exported to Zalando. The export log is generated once every night.

How to download the export log

Reports

Product status reports

Zalando generates the product status reports are generated once daily during the night. These reports only contain information regarding variations that were successfully exported to Zalando.

ProductErrorReport.csv

Contains variations that cannot be sold on Zalando since the last export. The report is generated once every night.

ProductLiveReport.csv

Contains variations that can be sold on Zalando since the last export as well as stock and price of each variation on the different Zalando channels (DE, FR, etc.) at the time that the file was generated. The report is generated once every night.

How to download product status reports

Price reports

Zalando generates a price report for each active channel once daily during the night. These reports contain information on the processing status of all price updates that Zalando received in the last seven days.

How to download price reports

18.1. Downloading the export log

The export log contains plentymarkets log entries for items that could not be exported to Zalando.

Downloading the export log:

  1. Go to Setup » Markets » Zalando » Settings.

  2. Click on the Processing reports tab.

  3. In the Export log area, click on Download file ().
    → The CSV file is generated.

  4. Save the CSV file on your computer.

  5. Filter the entries to only see the status error.

  6. Check the entries. Correct any variation data in the plentymarkets back end.
    Tip: You can ignore any entries with the status warning.

Table 8. Error messages in the export log (zalandoArticleExportLog.txt)
Setting Explanation

specialDescriptions

Technical data

brand

Characteristic Zalando » Hersteller-Code (manufacturer code)

season

Characteristic Zalando » Jahreszeiten-Code (season code)

genders

Characteristic Zalando » Geschlecht (gender)

ageGroups

Characteristic Zalando » Altersgruppe(n) (age groups)

sizeRegister

Characteristic Zalando » Größen-Register (size register)

mainColorCode

From the Characteristic Zalando » 1. Farbcode (Zalando » 1st colour code)
Exception: The variation has a colour attribute. In that case, attribute links are used to manage colours.

supplierColor

Characteristic Zalando » Hersteller-Farbe (Zalando » Manufacturer colour) or an optional 2nd attribute link

images

The variation must have at least one image.

ean

The variation needs a GTIN 13.

lengthRegister

Characteristic Zalando » Längen-Register (length register)

Keywords

Meta keywords (item tab: Texts)

18.2. Downloading product status reports

Product status reports contain information regarding the items that were exported to Zalando. These reports are generated by Zalando. As such, these reports only contain information regarding variations that were successfully exported to Zalando. The following reports are available:

  • ProductErrorReport.csv: Contains variations that cannot be sold on Zalando since the last export. The report also contains the first five error codes and an error description. The report is generated once every night. Click on Update file () before downloading the file to get current data from Zalando.

  • ProductLiveReport.csv: Contains variations that can be sold on Zalando since the last export. The report also contains information on the stock and price of the variations on the different Zalando channels (DE, FR, etc.) at the time the file was generated. The report is generated once every night. Click on Update file () before downloading the file to get current data from Zalando.

Downloading a product status report:

  1. Go to Setup » Markets » Zalando » Settings.

  2. Click on the Processing reports tab.
    → The following files can be downloaded in the Product status reports - Account ID area:

    • ProductErrorReport.csv contains the variations that cannot be sold on Zalando since the last export.

    • ProductLiveReport.csv contains the variations that can be sold on Zalando since the last export.

  3. Optional: By default, the file is updated once every night. To get current data from Zalando before downloading the file, go to the Product status-reports - Account ID area and click on Update file ().

  4. Go to the Product status reports - Account ID area. In the row of a processing report click on Download file ().
    → The CSV file is generated.

  5. Save the CSV file on your computer.

18.3. Downloading price reports

Zalando generates a price report for each active channel once daily during the night. These reports contain information on the processing status of all price updates that Zalando received in the last seven days. As such, the reports may contain several entries for the same EAN.

Downloading price reports:

  1. Go to Setup » Markets » Zalando » Settings.

  2. Click on the Processing reports tab.
    → In the area Price reports, files are available for all active channels.

  3. Optional: By default, the file is updated once every night. In the column Actions, click on Update file () to get current data from Zalando before downloading the file.

  4. Go to the Price reports area. In the row of a processing report, click on Download file ().
    → The CSV file is generated.

  5. Save the CSV file on your computer.

What information do the price reports contain?

Timestamp

Corresponds to the latest timestamp from the columns Status History and Scheduled Price (1-3) - Status History.

EAN

The EAN of the variation whose price has been updated.

Ignore Warnings?

Corresponds to the setting Ignore Warnings in the Setup » Assistants » Omni-Channel » Zalando account settings » [Open account] » Step: Prices for [target country] menu at the time the update was transferred.

Regular Price

Transferred value of the regular price.

Regular Price Currency

Transferred currency of the regular price.

Promotional Price

Transferred value of the reduced price.

Promotional Price Currency

Transferred currency of the reduced price.

Status

Status of the processing. Possible statuses:

RECEIVED

The price has been received.

ACCEPTED

The price has been accepted and forwarded for further validation.

REJECTED

The price has not passed validation. See the status messages in Status History for more information.

FAILED

An unexpected error occurred during the price update. See the status messages in Status History for more information.

SCHEDULED

The price has been successfully validated and is awaiting submission.

SUBMITTED

The price has been submitted and will be shown in the shop shortly.

AWAITING_ONBOARDING

The price has been accepted but the item has not yet been activated. The price will be applied once onboarding is complete.

Status History

Status change history. For each change, the cell contains a paragraph with the following pattern (placeholders in square brackets):

  • [timestamp]: FROM [original status] TO [new status] - code: [code] [severity] [message]

Scheduled Price (1-3) - Start

Start date of the scheduled price.

Scheduled Price (1-3) - End

End date of the scheduled price.

Scheduled Price (1-3) - Regular Price

Transferred value of the regular price for the scheduled price.

Scheduled Price (1-3) - Regular Price Currency

Transferred currency of the regular price.

Scheduled Price (1-3) - Promotional Price

Transferred value of the reduced price.

Scheduled Price (1-3) - Promotional Price Currency

Transferred currency of the reduced price.

Scheduled Price (1-3) - Status

Status of the processing of the scheduled price. Possible statuses:

RECEIVED

The price has been received.

ACCEPTED

The price has been accepted and forwarded for further validation.

REJECTED

The price has not passed validation. See the status messages in Scheduled Price (1-3) - Status History for more information.

FAILED

An unexpected error occurred during the price update. See the status messages in Scheduled Price (1-3) - Status History for more information.

SCHEDULED

The price has been successfully validated and is awaiting submission.

OVERRIDDEN

The price was scheduled but overwritten by a new price update before it could be submitted.

SUBMITTED

The price has been submitted and will be shown in the shop shortly.

AWAITING_ONBOARDING

The price has been accepted but the item has not yet been activated. The price will be applied once onboarding is complete.

Scheduled Price (1-3) - Status History

History of the status change of the scheduled price. For each change, the cell contains a paragraph with the following pattern (placeholders in square brackets):

  • [Timestamp] from [Original Status] to [New Status] - Code [code] Severity [severity] Message [message]

19. Viewing the data log

The Data » Log menu contains a history of processes that run via the Zalando interface. Note that integrations and identifiers are only shown in the drop-down lists as filters after the process has run at least once.

For Zalando, the following filters are recommended:

  • Identifier » Zalando

Filtering and checking log entries

  1. Go to Data » Log.

  2. In the column to the left, select appropriate filters from the drop-down lists.

  3. Optional: Select filters for dates and/or times to only show entries from a specific period.
    Tip: For further information about the filters, refer to the Data log page of the manual.

  4. Click on Search ().
    → The results are shown.

  5. Check all entries for the levels warning and error.
    Tip: Click on the entry to see details.

Use any filters listed in Table 9 to limit the search results.

Table 9. Filters
Log entries Recommended filters Explanation

Price updates

  • Identifier » Zalando

  • Level: Error

  • References:

    • Reference type » action
      Reference value » PriceUpdate

    • Reference type » ean
      Reference value » EAN of variation

While the price reports are generated, an error log is also written for all entries that have been in the REJECTED, FAILED or OVERRIDDEN status since the file was last generated (minus one hour as a buffer).

Price reports

  • Identifier » Zalando

  • References:

    • Reference type » action
      Reference value » PriceReporting

Log entries for errors during generation of price reports

Stock synchronisation

  • Identifier » Zalando

  • References:

    • Reference type » action
      Reference value » StockUpdate

    • Reference type » variationId

    • Reference type » ean

    • Reference type » accountId

    • Reference type » salesChannel

    • Reference type » jobUniqueId

Log entries for errors during stock updates

20. Viewing the API log

The Data » API log menu contains a history of processes that run via the Zalando interface. The ZalandoController format is available for Zalando.

Viewing the API log:

  1. Go to Data » API log » Tab: API log.

  2. Select the ZalandoController format from the Process drop-down list.

  3. Optional: Select a date if you only want to see entries for a specific day.

  4. Select the number of results per page.

  5. Click on Search ().
    → The results are shown.

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