Highsnobiety, the online platform owned by Berlin-based retailer Zalando, will end its e-commerce operations at the end of the year as it refocuses on its core publishing and cultural agency business.
The move forms part of a broader restructuring at the company, with around 50 roles in retail and related departments expected to be affected. Highsnobiety said it is working closely with impacted employees to provide support throughout the transition.
The brand’s flagship store on Berlin’s Unter den Linden Boulevard will also be ‘reconceptualised’. Opened last year, the space will turn into a venue for brand activations, collaborations, and temporary pop-up experiences.
Founded as a digital publication covering streetwear and youth culture, Highsnobiety launched its e-commerce platform in 2019 to complement its editorial content with curated fashion and lifestyle products, including collaborations with leading brands.
The company said it has determined that its “greatest long-term impact lies in shaping culture, not in operating a third-party retail model”.
“Highsnobiety has always been about helping our community understand what’s new and next and helping brands earn credibility with the audiences that matter most,” said founder and CEO David Fischer.
“Over the past five years, we’ve proven our ability to create cultural moments that resonate far beyond traditional publishing. As we look ahead, our energy belongs squarely there.”
