Zara is a Spanish fashion retailer founded in 1975. It is the largest company in the Inditex group, which includes Bershka, Pull & Bear and Stradivarius. The company specialises in fast fashion for men, women and children – products include clothing, accessories, shoes, swimwear, beauty and perfumes. Zara has been present in the UK since the late 1990s and has been steadily increasing its sales as its on-trend designs offered at competitive prices have struck a chord. Technology is a key part of Zara’s success. It opened its first technology-integrated store in London in 2018. The retailer prides itself on being fleet of foot – it produces five “waves” of designs each season, rather than just one collection, and it has a logistics network that is reportedly able to deliver products anywhere in the world within 48 hours. Zara has a policy of zero advertising, instead preferring to invest revenue in new store openings.
Fashion giant Inditex, owner of Zara, has reported a suresulrge in sales and profits but booked a substantial provision for the costs of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
After decades of delays, the redevelopment of London’s iconic Battersea Power Station is preparing to open later this year. Will it supercharge the capital’s post-pandemic retail revival?
Fashion retailers might have been benefiting from the return to the office – and the revival of events such as festivals and weddings – but many businesses have flagged ongoing headwinds that are likely to dampen progress.
Zara has started charging shoppers who return items purchased online.
Retail Week’s latest report, Chain Reaction, features findings from interviews with retail supply chain and IT executives on their motivations, concerns and aspirations for the sector.
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