Zara to launch online store for New Zealand customers

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

The Spanish-owned chain opened its first store in New Zealand in 2016.

Fast fashion giant Zara appears set to launch an online store in New Zealand.

The company is yet to announce details, however, a page on its New Zealand website says 'Dear New Zealand, shop online coming soon'.

Inside Zara's first New Zealand store, prior to opening on October 6, 2016.

Zara opened its first store in New Zealand in October 2016, following years of speculation. More than 300 eager shoppers lined Sylvia Park mall, in Auckland, waiting for the doors to open.

The Spanish-owned chain's arrival in New Zealand came hot on the heels of Swedish retailer H&M opening stores in the main centres.

Hundreds of shoppers queued at Sylvia Park, in Auckland, waiting for Zara's doors to open.

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Zara has yet to announce whether it will open any more physical stores , however, rumours continue to swirl that the company is looking at sites in Wellington and Christchurch.

First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson said Zara's online store would help the company reach untapped markets in New Zealand.

'It will help them reach into areas where Zara is not yet represented, or will never be represented.

'It's about reaching those aspirations consumers in the provinces, or even the cities where maybe Zara is just a bit concerned about committing to store space.'

No matter how successful a retailer was, they 'absolutely needed' to have an online presence, Wilkinson said.

'Consumers are increasingly purposeful and so many of their decisions around products, or even shopping destinations, are made online before they reach the venue.

'It's about empowerment as well. Consumers are so used to being completely empowered in everything they do,' he said.

'[Online stores] are things that are expected now, not just appreciated.'

Zara, which sells men's, women's, and children's clothing, has 2100 outlets in 88 countries.

As one of the world's most popular retail brands, Zara produces more than 450 million items a year.

It was founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalia Mera.