Founded in London in 2010 by Sebastjan Trepca and Chris Morton, Lyst has emerged as a significant player in the UK luxury fashion sector, operating as a global fashion search platform rather than a traditional retailer.
As one of an emerging breed of marketplace-like platforms focussed on luxury, Lyst connects more than 160 million shoppers annually to more than 27,000 brands and retailers from around the world.
Its platform offers a vast array of products, including high-end labels like Gucci, Prada and Balenciaga, catering to a diverse clientele seeking both luxury and accessibility and the Lyst app is the most downloaded premium fashion iOS app globally.
Lyst’s platform aggregates products from thousands of fashion stores and brands, allowing users to search and filter through a vast collection of fashion items via its app or website. Users can browse products, select preferences and, when ready to make a purchase, can be redirected to the retailer’s website or use Lyst’s own checkout. This model simplifies the shopping experience, making it easier for consumers to find and purchase fashion items from various brands and stores.
In the UK, Lyst is recognised as a go-to platform for discovering and purchasing fashion items and is the most trafficked luxury site in the UK. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive product offerings make it a preferred choice for fashion enthusiasts. The platform’s ability to provide personalised recommendations and alerts for discounts enhances the shopping experience, making it both enjoyable and efficient.
However, Lyst’s appeal extends beyond the UK, with a significant portion of its business coming from the U.S. (30%) and Europe (34%) . The platform’s global reach is a testament to its effectiveness in catering to diverse consumer preferences and its ability to adapt to various markets.
In April 2025, Lyst was acquired by Japanese ecommerce giant ZOZO for $154mn. This acquisition is part of ZOZO’s strategy to expand its global presence and leverage Lyst’s technological capabilities to enhance its own offerings. ZOZO operates the ZOZOTOWN platform, serving 12 million customers annually and provides innovative shopping experiences through proprietary measurement technologies like ZOZOFIT.
The acquisition of Lyst allows ZOZO to integrate advanced AI-driven fashion search capabilities into its operations, enhancing its technological infrastructure. By combining Lyst’s expertise in personalised shopping experiences with ZOZO’s established market presence, the two companies aim to create a more seamless and engaging shopping experience for consumers worldwide. This strategic move positions both companies to better compete in the global fashion ecommerce market.
This is one of six profiles in the brand new UK Luxury 2025 report.
Barbour, Burberry, FarFetch, Harrods, and Paul Smith are also looked at in detail.
The full report examines the market dynamics of the luxury sector across the UK. It highlights key drivers of consumer behaviour, such as the perceived value and longevity of luxury items, the growing influence of sustainability, and the increasing importance of technology and mobile-first shopping.
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