Zara Finally Ventures into the World of E-Commerce

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Fashion mogul Zara, steps into multichannel retailing with the launch of its much anticipated e-commerce functionality across Europe.

Zara, the fashion juggernaut that never advertises, has rolled out its much anticipated e-commerce websites across the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and France.

Interestingly, where other retailers have been multichannel businesses for a number of years, Inditex (who owns the Zara brand), have stubbornly avoided this path, favoring the rollout of bricks and mortar outlets globally.

Inditex Deputy Chairman and CEO Pablo Isla commented, “Internet and the world of social networking are indispensable tools and extraordinary channels for communication, and fit perfectly with our Group’s philosophy.”

Popular retailer Zara launches e-commerce functionality across Europe.

In building its cyberspace profile, the brand has gained notoriety and engaged consumers through social media and mobile applications. Launched in 2009, the Zara Facebook page, has over 4.5 million fans, and its iPhone application has been downloaded by two million people – with Inditex commenting that m-commerce will also “soon be available”.

Wanting to replicate the in-store buying experience, the website will feature all available Zara products, at the same prices (including sale items), with the same return and exchange policies – including a free home pick up service. Customers can choose to collect their purchase in-store free of charge or opt to pay for delivery, which will be shipped in environmentally-friendly packaging.

With the impending launch of Zara in Australia next year, it’s game on for local retailers wanting to compete with this global fashion retail mogul.

Article by Nirosha Methananda

Nirosha is a content creator for The Media Pad, publisher of Power Retail. Coming from a marketing and communications background (in the legal, retail and online industries), Nirosha is excited to be able to put her knowledge and experience to work for Power Retail. Recently engaged, Nirosha is immersing herself in the joys of wedding planning! She is also an avid reader (of mostly fiction), always keen to get onto the golf course, likes to paint, tries to sing and is able to recall useless celebrity facts at the drop of a hat!