Apologies in advance for not having nice press images from the Zara PR team to load up but a) I never get them and b) I've given up requesting them.
However in all other areas Zara is the height of retail efficiency. Owned by the Inditex Group, the first Zara store opened in 1975. Today, Inditex is probably the world's fastest growing retailer and Zara has just overtaken Gap to become the worlds largest clothing retailer. Zara prides itself on its ability to compete with quality brands at affordable prices. It is claimed that Zara needs just two weeks to develop a new product and get it to stores and launches around 10,000 new designs each year. Zara has resisted the industry-wide trend towards transferring production to low-cost countries. Perhaps its most unusual strategy was its policy of zero advertising; the company preferred to invest a percentage of revenues in opening new stores instead.
That said, Zara has the most annoying clothing tags and quality is variable. Yet Zara has the ability to draw you in with its great on trend numbers and some of its own consistent items.
Thus far in the season Zara is paying homage to or inspired by Gucci and Chloe. In fact it will draw upon all the catwalk trends and deliver everything. The fast turnover means you have to buy if you love the item as it's likely to be gone for good. This is particularly true with their shoes and belts - literally gone in a blink. Many a time I've kicked myself for dithering or being good(not spending!), or thinking I'll find something nicer elsewhere.
The layout of the stores is clear and items are always grouped in colour combinations. Changing rooms are sparse and lighting harsh so if it looks good on - its great!
Last season S/S 08 the collection was more miss than hit but this season Zara looks like it is shaping up for a great one!
I look forward to checking out my local Zara store...thanks for your review! The only thing I don't really care for is their customer service. But it is only at the Amsterdam store.
ReplyDeletex Grayburn
I will check out Zara at lakeside this Autumn, I do love this shop!!
ReplyDeleteI like Zara, too, although not during the sales... it gets particularly messy!
ReplyDeleteI've just finished designing a Manufacturing Operations Strategy Management Textbook (yawn!) and Zara was one of the case studies, I was really surprised by their business model, it really is totally different to any other fashion retailer and it's true that because all their clothes are made in their own Spanish factory they can get new designs to shelves well within 2 weeks - although that may be the reason that the quality is sometimes variable!
ReplyDeleteGrayburn - yes forget customer service but some assistants are very helpful.
ReplyDeleteSharon Rose - it is always worth a peek!
Aliena - you've got the best Zara's in Barcelona and better prices too
I haven't bought anything in Zara for ages. I think their spring/summer was very dissapointing this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree the quality is variable, although most of the time it's good.
Sigh. If only Zara would make its way out to the Midwest. At their current rate of growth, perhaps I'll only need to wait a few more years.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a weird thing to hone in on, but what is it about their tags that is so frustrating? Just curious ...
Delicious Ind - great bit of additional info and glad your blog of the week as design inspires fashion and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteSal - oh they have 3 long labels on left hand side which you have to cut off otherwise you know they are there or they show.
Zara irks me and lures me in all at the same time...I feel really uncomfortable buying the designs that are straight-off rip-offs.... but the other alternatives on the high street aren't that great either...
ReplyDeleteYou have the same problem with Zara Press? Well now at least I know it's not that I smell or anything.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I set foot in Zara - their summer offerings were rubbish, but I do like their shoes on occasion. Their clothes are a bit more hit and miss for me because of the variable quality but also the ridiculous sizing! My friend who is a curvy and petit size 14 comes out of there feeling like a circus fat lady because she can't even fit into their XL clothes. It's silly.
I also think that they err too much towards the the euro-trash look, which really isn't my thing.
I didn't know anything about their business model. That's quite the eye opener. I may have to check out the A/W stuff.
I find their sizes really strange, esp their trousers. I'm a size 12 round my hips area....trying on a pair of what-ever-shape trousers never fits me, a size 14 does...erm!? They should sort out their sizes that would fit our british sizes etc.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, you do have to grab it when you see it when you shop in Zara. I have five Zara items, and I love them all.
ReplyDelete2 weeks - yikes!!! thats not long at all. do you think it will ever arrive down under - Aussies are sick of waiting. I love Zara homewares xf
ReplyDeletei love walking their shop windows....their window displays are the best in high st.
ReplyDeleteNice write-up. Looking forward to seeing what Zara A/W has in store... fingers' crossed it's an improvement of their summmer safari tat! xx
ReplyDeleteAfter having been a loyal shopper to Zara's for 4 years, I will never purchase their clothing again. I've never been especially impressed by the quality of their clothing, but I like their fashions. I've purchased quite a few items that did not hold up well, even though I handwash them and never put them in the dryer. Also, finding my size in their clothing is not always easy.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I was England earlier this month, I purchased a coat which I wore 3 times during that trip. The morning of my last day there, the lining ripped and the sleeve was already separating from the shoulder on the one side -- I only wore the coat to walk around. I figured I would return it once back in NYC, since I didn't have time my last day of vacation to search for a Zara's and return it.
When I went to the Zara's on lower 5th Avenue, the manager who assisted me was not only rude and unhelpful, but she displayed no sympathy for the $121.00 I had wasted on her company's poorly crafted clothing. She told me that I could not return it because I had purchased it in England, even though they're an international store. I asked her repeatedly -- and politely -- to somehow help me. She refused. I had asked her to provide me with the name of someone at Headquarters who could help me, she finally relented that maybe someone there could help me and gave me their number.
I've called the woman at the headquarters for 3 weeks and still have not received a response. They obviously do not care for their customers or the quality of their clothing. I'm ready to show up at Headquarters and demand a refund for an item that should not have ripped just from walking around in it. They have the worst customer service I have ever encountered.
After having been a loyal shopper to Zara's for over 8 years, I will not buy their clothing again. My account was charged by some ZARA international bank (zara.com). I called them at least 15 times. No results in getting my money back. The customer service always saying nice things and apologizing for "know issue" Please note: "Known issue" 5 month past- no money returned to me. Be aware!!! They still your money when you pay with bank card. I end up closing my bank account.
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