$154M deal to boost Japanese e-commerce giant’s global expansion
Fashion tech platform Lyst has announced its acquisition by Japanese e-commerce giant Zozo, Inc. in a $154 million deal, set to close by the end of the month.
Following the acquisition, Lyst will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Zozo, continuing as a standalone business from its London base with CEO Emma McFerran remaining at the helm.
Utahiro Inui, executive director at Zozo, said: “Lyst has built an exceptional platform that aligns perfectly with our vision of creating more inspiring, joyful shopping experiences.
Lyst’s industry credibility and unique brand voice, coupled with market-leading technology and scale, means they are uniquely positioned to redefine the space. Together, we will transform the future of fashion shopping online as part of our ambition to ‘Inspire the world. Deliver joy every day.’”
McFerran, who led Lyst to profitability in 2024, sees the move as a strategic win: “Our space is evolving fast, and we share a vision with Zozo to build a better, brighter future for the industry, using AI and technology. With Zozo’s scale, expertise and support, Lyst will be in an even stronger position to reimagine fashion discovery online.”
With a global presence spanning 190 countries and over 27,000 brand and retail partners, Lyst will focus on expanding its AI capabilities while maintaining its strong markets in the U.S., U.K., and Europe.
