There’s a new letter Z in the alphabet of fashion, and it might just be your favorite one just yet. Introducing, Zilingo, the style, beauty, and lifestyle marketplace that aims to bridge the gap between the supply chain, making it more digital and yes, highly efficient.
Related: The State Of The Philippines’ eCommerce: How Retail Brands Benefit
Let’s face it, it can be extremely difficult exercise to build a brand in fashion from the ground up. What more having it to compete with the proliferation of brands? Making even so much as a digital dent is set to challenging, so much so that it can prove to be a futile effort for some. But wait a minute, don’t the best success stories come with a trove of challenges to overcome?
In its infantile stage, four years to be exact, Zilingo has had its fair share of encounters that stray it far from a smooth sailing ride. Poised to compete with other established e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia, Zilingo has had enough success to create a zingy recall. However, facing veritable giants in the industry, its founders, Ankiti Bose and Dhruv Kapoor had to re-purpose its strategy and scope to further its reach into the very dynamic and temperamental digital landscape. Sparked by a fortuitous trip to the diverse Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand, Bose was struck with the idea: How can she mediate between all these amazing small-scale brands reach a wider network?
View this post on Instagram
The answer presented itself in the opportunity to fill a void in the market that focused on services, where the company would step in to handle everything from connecting designers and suppliers, managing inventory, and arranging short-term financing to manufacturers. A global fashion start-up by all accounts, Zilingo grew its business model, now aiming to digitize business in 15 countries, as well as essentially optimizing the supply chain by an impressive 30-70%. By expanding its ethos, the e-commerce platform has since raised $226 million from investors, promising to remedy the inefficiencies and middlemen riddling the system. This farm-to-closet concept gives a premium to small- and middle-scale enterprises to compete in the Southeast Asian, including an expanded push in the US, Australia, and most recently, the Philippines.
View this post on Instagram
At present, Zilingo has over 25,000 merchants, with connections to 1200 factories. (It is also interesting to note that in its total workforce of 400 direct and 100,000 indirect employees, 50% of this community are comprised of women.) Seeing to grow its portfolio of products, the inclusive Zilingo currently houses fashion and beauty brands such as Bench, Penshoppe, Kamiseta, Giordano, Adidas, L’Oreal, Garnier, Maybelline, and most recently, Mango. “Fashion has become one of the biggest vessels of self-expression and at Zilingo, we believe that style cannot be dictated and is unique to every individual’s personality and taste. We look forward to this partnership with Mango as we continue to expand our offerings to outfit consumers with the latest and best in fashion, no matter what color, creed, gender or size,” says Marita Abraham, Chief Marketing Officer at Zilingo.
View this post on Instagram
Expanding its repertoire even further, Zilingo has even sought to provide a possibility for social media personalities to launch their own clothing line. This link between business and influence is a prime audience for Zilingo and by employing their expertise, the customer and even enterprises can get all the help they want bringing forth the collection of their dreams. “Designers know what they want, but they need tech help, or help with their factory or shipping,” offers Bose. “We’re doing all of that. All these brands need to do is the creative aspect of it.”
By adding an inclusive depth to the already liberal landscape of e-commerce, Zilingo is further democratizing online retail from point A to point B. In this situation, everyone wins. Now more than ever, it can be said that fashion, beauty, and lifestyle is indeed by all and for all.
