Rubin Ritter, Zalando manager, resigns to “prioritize” his wife’s career

Rubin Ritter, one of the directors of the company Zalando, will leave the first European group of ready-to-wear online in 2021 to “take a new course” to his life and give “priority” to his wife’s career.

It is so unusual for this to happen that the media have elevated such a decision to the category of news. Ritter, who has a contract with Zalando until November 2023, “intends to leave his post” during the general assembly next year, according to a statement from the group published Sunday night.

“I want to spend more time with my family. After more than 11 incredible years in which Zalando has been my priority, I feel it is time to give my life a new direction,” he explained in a statement from Ritter, who has led the company since 2010, together with Robert Gentz ​​y David Schneider. “My wife and I agree that her career ambitions will be the priority for years to come.”

Zalando, founded in 2008, is the first European online clothing sales group and they have more than 35 million active clients in 17 countries, 14,000 employees and a turnover of 1,850 million euros (2,200 million dollars) in the third quarter of 2020 (representing a year-on-year increase of 22%).

According to the data collected by the BBC, the company currently has no women on its board of directors and their gender pay gap is 22% in favor of men, slightly more than the national average in Germany.

Zalando, which also sells cosmetics and accessories, saw rapid growth in the wake of restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are preparing to close the most extraordinary year in the history of Zalando,” said Cristina Stenbeck, director of the supervisory board.