10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ZARA

1- ZARA is a Spanish clothing and accessories retailer. Founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera, the brand rapidly became a leader in Spanish fashion. Today it is one of Spain’s most popular clothing brands and its stores can be found all over the world.

2- Amancio Ortega, the owner of ZARA is the richest person in Spain and the second richest person in all of Europe. In March 2014, Amancio Ortega was ranked as the third richest person in the world by Forbes with a net worth of USD $64 billion. Strangely Ortega has never given a public interview, and in contrast to his work in the world of fashion is generally seen in a pair of blue jeans and a T-shirt.

3- The brand’s name was actually a fluke. Reportedly it had to be “Zorba” but due to some copyright issues, it could not happen. Declining pricey new moulds, a new name had to come from those already cast. Paradoxically, Spain is the only country in which ZARA is pronounced not “Zah-rah”, but “Tha-ra.”

4- With little to no advertising, ZARA has managed to become a multi-billion dollar brand. The company spends almost nothing on advertising and gives preference to invest a percentage of revenues in opening new stores instead. The little it spends goes to strengthen its identity as a clothing retailer; low-cost but high fashion. It does not even engage in showy promotions. But yes, the brand invests lavishly in the beauty, historical appeal and location of its stores.

5- The first online boutique for ZARA was launched by Inditex on September 6, 2010. The website started catering its online services in Spain, the UK, Portugal, Italy, Germany and France—six countries that were among the then most important of the company’s 76 markets.

6- Amazingly the brand requires just 2 weeks to develop a new product and get it to stores, compared to the six-month industry average, and launches around 10,000 new designs each year. The success of the brand also lies in the fact that it produces where it sells. This attains short lead times for new fashion ideas.

7- At the headquarters in Spain, sales of each piece are watched, designers make new things according to the sales, and window displays are created on a mock storefront that is on a life-size street. Interestingly design collections are created by creative teams rather than groups of designers.

8- New collections are brought into the stores twice a week, and since there are not many of each item, it makes them appear exclusive.

9- Each collection of ZARA often sells out. The company strategically opens stores in heavily trafficked, high-end retail areas where a sense for style is sharpen and wallets are wide open. 

10- The most astonishing fact about ZARA is that the brand has managed to win over the fashionistas as well as the masses. From Hollywood to Bollywood, the brand is loved by all. Moreover Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge also has a strong inclination towards the brand. Kate Middleton has been recognized frequently in using ZARA. Interestingly the day after her wedding to Prince William, Kate stepped out in a cornflower blue, pleated polyester £49.99 ZARA dress. This proves that ZARA is one of Middleton’s options for performing the best fashionable look.