<p>Inditex, owner of fashion chain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/fashion-brand-zara-seeks-to-distance-itself-from-hong-kong-controversy-247439">Zara</a>, shrugged off malaise affecting the broader apparel sector to post strong profit growth on Wednesday and forecast full-year same-store sales of up to 6 per cent.</p>

<p>At a time when fashion retailers are struggling to adapt to changing shopping habits, Inditex has benefited from its ability to quickly deliver small batches of the latest designs to consumers due to its fast and flexible sourcing arrangements.</p>

<p>The Spanish retail giant reported a net profit of 1.17 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for the third quarter slightly above analysts' expectations and up 14 per cent from the year-ago period. Revenue for the quarter was 7 billion euros.</p>

<p>Inditex did not give a trading update on sales since the new financial quarter started in November.</p>

<p>The company said it had tightly controlled operating expenses even as it enlarged and improved stores like the flagship Zara in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dubai-will-soon-have-a-us-billion-mall-the-size-100-football-pitches-high-tech-interiors--158970">The Dubai Mall</a> in the United Arab Emirates.</p>

<p>Inditex said the low inventory and strong sales seen in the financial period was thanks to its business model of tight control of products throughout the supply chain and quick response to trends due to short design-to-production times.</p>

<p>"Our very low level of inventory allows us to have low levels of commitment at any given time and we continue to make decisions during the season," Chairman Pablo Isla told analysts on a conference call.</p>

<p>The company said it was online to have stock-tracking technology RFID on products across its stable of brands by 2020. The RFID tags attached to clothing allow the company to match items to buyers, meaning more is sold at full price.</p>

<p>Shares, which had risen 28 percent in the year to date, traded higher to touch year-highs of over 29 euros per share.</p>

<p>In a sign of how some fashion retailers are failing to keep track of their inventory, British label <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ted-baker-ceo-chairman-step-down-outlook-cut-dividend-suspended-267420">Ted Baker</a> said last week it had overstated the value of its inventory by as much as 25 million pounds ($32 million).</p>

<p>Inditex's arch-rival, Sweden's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hm-suspends-brazil-leather-purchases-over-amazon-fires-247906">H&amp;M</a>, has also battled with growing inventories due to slowing sales.</p>

<p>Though Inditex largely eschews partnerships with high-profile celebrities, the collaboration between its youth-oriented Bershka brand and singer-songwriter Billie Eilish had been particularly successful, Isla said.</p>


Inditex, owner of fashion chain Zara, shrugged off malaise affecting the broader apparel sector to post strong profit growth on Wednesday and forecast full-year same-store sales of up to 6 per cent.

Inditex, owner of fashion chain Zara, shrugged off malaise affecting the broader apparel sector to post strong profit growth on Wednesday and forecast full-year same-store sales of up to 6 per cent. At a time when fashion retailers are struggling to adapt to changing shopping habits, Inditex has benefited from its ability to quickly deliver small batches of the latest designs to consumers due to its fast and flexible sourcing arrangements. The Spanish retail giant reported a net profit of 1.17 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for the third quarter slightly above analysts' expectations and up 14 per cent from the year-ago period. Revenue for the quarter was 7 billion euros. Inditex did not give a trading update on sales since the new financial quarter started in November. The company said it had tightly controlled operating expenses even as it enlarged and improved stores like the flagship Zara in The Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates. Inditex said the low inventory and strong sales seen in the financial period was thanks to its business model of tight control of products throughout the supply chain and quick response to trends due to short design-to-production times. "Our very low level of inventory allows us to have low levels of commitment at any given time and we continue to make decisions during the season," Chairman Pablo Isla told analysts on a conference call. The company said it was online to have stock-tracking technology RFID on products across its stable of brands by 2020. The RFID tags attached to clothing allow the company to match items to buyers, meaning more is sold at full price. Shares, which had risen 28 percent in the year to date, traded higher to touch year-highs of over 29 euros per share. In a sign of how some fashion retailers are failing to keep track of their inventory, British label Ted Baker said last week it had overstated the value of its inventory by as much as 25 million pounds ($32 million). Inditex's arch-rival, Sweden's H&M, has also battled with growing inventories due to slowing sales. Though Inditex largely eschews partnerships with high-profile celebrities, the collaboration between its youth-oriented Bershka brand and singer-songwriter Billie Eilish had been particularly successful, Isla said.

Zara owner Inditex reports strong profit growth, shares at year highs

<p>Gap Inc&nbsp;said on Thursday Chief Executive Officer Art Peck will leave the company, a surprise exit in the middle of a restructuring that comes as the apparel retailer slashed its full-year earnings forecast, sending its shares down 7%.</p>

<p>Since taking the helm in 2015, Peck has tried to re-energize sales at the Gap brand, once a trendsetter with its casual logo-emblazoned hoodies and Khaki cargos, but it has recently struggled to keep pace with fast-fashion rivals such as Zara and H&amp;M.</p>

<p>On Thursday, the company estimated a 4% drop in third-quarter same-store sales, with declines across all its key brands including Old Navy.</p>

<p>The drop comes as the Gap brand also has heavily discounted in a competitive retail environment.</p>

<p>"Gap's whole portfolio is having a brand erosion crisis that we expect to only deepen with the current leadership vacuum," said Camilla Yanushevsky, research analyst at CFRA.</p>

<p>Earlier this year, Gap said it will separate its better-performing Old Navy brand and shutter about 230 stores of its namesake apparel business, a process likely to be completed by 2020.</p>

<p>Peck, who was to head the new Gap Inc, is credited with developing the company's "omni-channel" strategy that uses its retail stores and its digital platform to fulfill orders.</p>

<p>"Peck deserves a lot of credit for decisive corrective action and starting to rationalize the retail store base and deserves credit for streamlining the supply chain in a challenging international environment," said Burt Flickinger, managing director of Strategic Resource Group.</p>

<p>"Where he missed was their marketing and merchandising and pricing and promotional program."</p>

<p>Robert Fisher, a member of the founding family behind Gap and its non-executive board chairman, will become the chief executive officer on an interim basis, effective immediately, the company said.</p>

<p>But the company's dismal forecasts indicated that Peck's efforts are yet to yield results.</p>

<p>Gap also now expects full-year adjusted earnings per share of $1.70 to $1.75, down from its previous forecast of $2.05 to $2.15.</p>

<p>The quarter was "challenging", Chief Financial Officer Teri List-Stoll said, adding macro impact and slower traffic deepened the hit from product and operating challenges across key brands.</p>

<p>"(The) results also reiterate our skepticism that the spin-off of touted stronghold Old Navy can unlock value," analyst Yanushevsky said.</p>

<p>Shares of the company were down 7.4% at $16.71 in extended trading. The stock has lost nearly a third of its value this year.</p>


Gap Inc said on Thursday Chief Executive Officer Art Peck will leave the company, a surprise exit in the middle of a restructuring that comes as the apparel retailer slashed its full-year earnings forecast, sending its shares down 7%.

Gap Inc said on Thursday Chief Executive Officer Art Peck will leave the company, a surprise exit in the middle of a restructuring that comes as the apparel retailer slashed its full-year earnings forecast, sending its shares down 7%. Since taking the helm in 2015, Peck has tried to re-energize sales at the Gap brand, once a trendsetter with its casual logo-emblazoned hoodies and Khaki cargos, but it has recently struggled to keep pace with fast-fashion rivals such as Zara and H&M. On Thursday, the company estimated a 4% drop in third-quarter same-store sales, with declines across all its key brands including Old Navy. The drop comes as the Gap brand also has heavily discounted in a competitive retail environment. "Gap's whole portfolio is having a brand erosion crisis that we expect to only deepen with the current leadership vacuum," said Camilla Yanushevsky, research analyst at CFRA. Earlier this year, Gap said it will separate its better-performing Old Navy brand and shutter about 230 stores of its namesake apparel business, a process likely to be completed by 2020. Peck, who was to head the new Gap Inc, is credited with developing the company's "omni-channel" strategy that uses its retail stores and its digital platform to fulfill orders. "Peck deserves a lot of credit for decisive corrective action and starting to rationalize the retail store base and deserves credit for streamlining the supply chain in a challenging international environment," said Burt Flickinger, managing director of Strategic Resource Group. "Where he missed was their marketing and merchandising and pricing and promotional program." Robert Fisher, a member of the founding family behind Gap and its non-executive board chairman, will become the chief executive officer on an interim basis, effective immediately, the company said. But the company's dismal forecasts indicated that Peck's efforts are yet to yield results. Gap also now expects full-year adjusted earnings per share of $1.70 to $1.75, down from its previous forecast of $2.05 to $2.15. The quarter was "challenging", Chief Financial Officer Teri List-Stoll said, adding macro impact and slower traffic deepened the hit from product and operating challenges across key brands. "(The) results also reiterate our skepticism that the spin-off of touted stronghold Old Navy can unlock value," analyst Yanushevsky said. Shares of the company were down 7.4% at $16.71 in extended trading. The stock has lost nearly a third of its value this year.

Gap CEO exiting as forecast cut casts doubt on turnaround

Hong Kong residents reacted on Tuesday (September 3) to Spanish fashion brand Zara issuing a statement on Chinese social media expressing support for China's sovereignty over the Asian financial hub.

Fashion brand Zara seeks to distance itself from Hong Kong controversy

Fast fashion retailer Zara has denied suggestions that it closed stores in Hong Kong this week in support of pro-democracy protests but also apologized for any "misunderstanding."

WION Wallet: Zara seeks to distance itself from Hong Kong protests

<p>Spanish fashion brand Zara, seeking to avoid becoming embroiled in controversy over protests in Hong Kong, issued a statement on Chinese social media expressing support for China's sovereignty over the Asian financial hub.</p>

<p>Zara, owned by the world's biggest clothing retailer Inditex, made its statement late on Monday after Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao asked if the closure of four Hong Kong Zara stores on Monday was in support of a student strike, prompting comment from millions of mainland social media users.</p>

<p>Zara said in its statement on China's Weibo social media platform that it supported the "one country, two systems" policy under which China rules Hong Kong and said it had not supported strikes.</p>

<p>The brand became a top trending topic on Weibo, with one hashtag "Zara statement" viewed more than 170 million times as of Tuesday morning.</p>

<p>A source close to Inditex said on Tuesday that some Zara stores in Hong Kong had been forced to delay opening on Monday because staff had trouble getting to work due to transport problems linked to the protests, but that all Zara stores in Hong Kong opened eventually on Monday.</p>

<p>Thousands of Hong Kong university and school students boycotted class on Monday and rallied peacefully for democracy, following a weekend marred by some of the worst violence since unrest escalated more than three months ago.</p>

<p>Shops in Hong Kong have often shut their doors when protests are taking place nearby.</p>

<p>Foreign brands are under increasing pressure from Chinese consumers and regulators to fall into line on contentious issues around Chinese sovereignty and its territorial claims.</p>

<p>Inditex has hundreds of stores in China including other fashion brands like Massimo Dutti and Bershka alongside Zara. China is second only to the domestic market Spain in a number of stores for the retailer.</p>

<p>Many Western fashion brands have been forced to clarify their positions on Chinese sovereignty as Hong Kong protests fuel nationalist fervour on social media.</p>

<p>Last month, a number of Chinese brand ambassadors of fashion labels from Coach to Givenchy severed ties with the companies over products which they said violated China's sovereignty by identifying Hong Kong and Taiwan as countries.</p>

<p>Last year, Zara was criticised on Chinese social media for placing Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China sees as a breakaway province, in a pull-down list of countries on its Chinese website.</p>


Spanish fashion brand Zara, seeking to avoid becoming embroiled in controversy over protests in Hong Kong, issued a statement on Chinese social media expressing support for China's sovereignty over the Asian financial hub.

Spanish fashion brand Zara, seeking to avoid becoming embroiled in controversy over protests in Hong Kong, issued a statement on Chinese social media expressing support for China's sovereignty over the Asian financial hub. Zara, owned by the world's biggest clothing retailer Inditex, made its statement late on Monday after Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao asked if the closure of four Hong Kong Zara stores on Monday was in support of a student strike, prompting comment from millions of mainland social media users. Zara said in its statement on China's Weibo social media platform that it supported the "one country, two systems" policy under which China rules Hong Kong and said it had not supported strikes. The brand became a top trending topic on Weibo, with one hashtag "Zara statement" viewed more than 170 million times as of Tuesday morning. A source close to Inditex said on Tuesday that some Zara stores in Hong Kong had been forced to delay opening on Monday because staff had trouble getting to work due to transport problems linked to the protests, but that all Zara stores in Hong Kong opened eventually on Monday. Thousands of Hong Kong university and school students boycotted class on Monday and rallied peacefully for democracy, following a weekend marred by some of the worst violence since unrest escalated more than three months ago. Shops in Hong Kong have often shut their doors when protests are taking place nearby. Foreign brands are under increasing pressure from Chinese consumers and regulators to fall into line on contentious issues around Chinese sovereignty and its territorial claims. Inditex has hundreds of stores in China including other fashion brands like Massimo Dutti and Bershka alongside Zara. China is second only to the domestic market Spain in a number of stores for the retailer. Many Western fashion brands have been forced to clarify their positions on Chinese sovereignty as Hong Kong protests fuel nationalist fervour on social media. Last month, a number of Chinese brand ambassadors of fashion labels from Coach to Givenchy severed ties with the companies over products which they said violated China's sovereignty by identifying Hong Kong and Taiwan as countries. Last year, Zara was criticised on Chinese social media for placing Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China sees as a breakaway province, in a pull-down list of countries on its Chinese website.

<p>People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recognised more than 300 brands that have now pledged to go fur-free to support the animal rights movement.</p>

<p>PETA recognised these brands at the annually held Fashion Awards held by The British Fashion Council.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Up until last year, it was only <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bid-adieu-to-gucci-fur-coats-italian-brand-will-go-fur-free-from-2018-22392">Gucci</a>, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-italian-brand-versace-to-stop-using-fur-donatella-versace-confirms-35902">Versace</a> and a couple of others who pledged to ban fur in its collections. This happened after major protests took place against them. Celebrity fashion designer John Galliano, creative director of Maison Margiela, also<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/celebrated-designer-john-galliano-goes-fur-free-for-brand-maison-margiela-128230"> announced</a> to ditch fur in any future works.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/milan-fashion-week-fashion-firms-steer-clear-fur-runway-169239"><em>Also read:&nbsp;Milan Fashion Week: Fashion firms steer clear of fur on runway</em></a></p>

<p>Among others were Tom Ford, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, J. Crew and Furla.</p>

<p>Now, more than 300 retailers from the high-street and luxury fashion markets have been mentioned as winners after they pledged to go fur-free. Mango, H&amp;M, Zara, Topshop, and others.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recognised more than 300 brands that have now pledged to go fur-free to support the animal rights movement. PETA recognised these brands at the annually held Fashion Awards held by The British Fashion Council.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recognised more than 300 brands that have now pledged to go fur-free to support the animal rights movement. PETA recognised these brands at the annually held Fashion Awards held by The British Fashion Council. Up until last year, it was only Gucci, Versace and a couple of others who pledged to ban fur in its collections. This happened after major protests took place against them. Celebrity fashion designer John Galliano, creative director of Maison Margiela, also announced to ditch fur in any future works. Also read: Milan Fashion Week: Fashion firms steer clear of fur on runway Among others were Tom Ford, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, J. Crew and Furla. Now, more than 300 retailers from the high-street and luxury fashion markets have been mentioned as winners after they pledged to go fur-free. Mango, H&M, Zara, Topshop, and others.

PETA recognises Michael Kors, Zara, H&M and 300 other brands as they go fur-free

<p>Spanish fashion brand Zara known for its high-street fashion has now launched something that will leave you in splits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;latest addition to an already-long list of products is a lungi-style skirt that it describes as &#39;check mini skirt&#39;&#39; -- described as a &quot;Flowing skirt with draped detail in the front. Front slit detail at the hem. Zip fastening in the back hidden along the seam.&rdquo;</p>

<p>What adds to the fun is that these lungi-style skirts are priced at a staggering&nbsp;$89.9 (Rs 5,728) per piece.</p>

<p>Reacting on this, Twitter did not waste time and shared some gems on their profile:&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A &pound;69.99 skirt from <a href="https://twitter.com/ZARA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZARA</a> that looks like a south Asian male skirt (lungi) that costs less than &pound;1 ???????????? <a href="https://t.co/47aA2SSSg5">pic.twitter.com/47aA2SSSg5</a></p>
&mdash; Aria (@ms_aria101) <a href="https://twitter.com/ms_aria101/status/957589230951260160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Me: &quot;Hahahahahah what&#39;s with that dumbass &pound;70 lungi from Zara. Pachaas rupaye ki milti hai. Yeh firangs bhi naa, complete idiots.&quot;<br />
<br />
Starbucks&#39; barista: &quot;What&#39;ll you have, sir?&quot;<br />
<br />
Me: &quot;One Turmeric Spiced Chai Latte&quot;</p>
&mdash; Akshar (@AksharPathak) <a href="https://twitter.com/AksharPathak/status/958296060484399104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If you need an argument as to why it&#39;s important to have BAME people at every level in business and marketing, I give you the lungi-dads-skirt disaster by <a href="https://twitter.com/ZARA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZARA</a> where literally ANY Indian person could&#39;ve pointed out in two minutes what the problem is with this ????????????</p>
&mdash; Poorna Bell (@poornabell) <a href="https://twitter.com/poornabell/status/958283571696775168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My dad&#39;s lungi is probably cheaper than 3 pounds <a href="https://t.co/KzDd2IlqYI">https://t.co/KzDd2IlqYI</a></p>
&mdash; Phoolan Devi (@ashsultana) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashsultana/status/958220664850264064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Looks Zara selling this Lungi for $70. <a href="https://t.co/TEvVkqnpqs">pic.twitter.com/TEvVkqnpqs</a></p>
&mdash; فزلور (@fazlurism) <a href="https://twitter.com/fazlurism/status/958271531842334720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Looks Zara selling this Lungi for $70. <a href="https://t.co/TEvVkqnpqs">pic.twitter.com/TEvVkqnpqs</a></p>
&mdash; فزلور (@fazlurism) <a href="https://twitter.com/fazlurism/status/958271531842334720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


On its online store, Zara described the ‘check mini skirt’ as a 'flowing skirt with draped detail in the front...'

Spanish fashion brand Zara known for its high-street fashion has now launched something that will leave you in splits. The latest addition to an already-long list of products is a lungi-style skirt that it describes as 'check mini skirt'' -- described as a "Flowing skirt with draped detail in the front. Front slit detail at the hem. Zip fastening in the back hidden along the seam.” What adds to the fun is that these lungi-style skirts are priced at a staggering $89.9 (Rs 5,728) per piece. Reacting on this, Twitter did not waste time and shared some gems on their profile: A £69.99 skirt from @ZARA that looks like a south Asian male skirt (lungi) that costs less than £1 ???????????? pic.twitter.com/47aA2SSSg5 — Aria (@ms_aria101) January 28, 2018 × Me: "Hahahahahah what's with that dumbass £70 lungi from Zara. Pachaas rupaye ki milti hai. Yeh firangs bhi naa, complete idiots." Starbucks' barista: "What'll you have, sir?" Me: "One Turmeric Spiced Chai Latte" — Akshar (@AksharPathak) January 30, 2018 × If you need an argument as to why it's important to have BAME people at every level in business and marketing, I give you the lungi-dads-skirt disaster by @ZARA where literally ANY Indian person could've pointed out in two minutes what the problem is with this ???????????? — Poorna Bell (@poornabell) January 30, 2018 × My dad's lungi is probably cheaper than 3 pounds https://t.co/KzDd2IlqYI — Phoolan Devi (@ashsultana) January 30, 2018 × Looks Zara selling this Lungi for $70. pic.twitter.com/TEvVkqnpqs — فزلور (@fazlurism) January 30, 2018 × Looks Zara selling this Lungi for $70. pic.twitter.com/TEvVkqnpqs — فزلور (@fazlurism) January 30, 2018 ×

Twitter trolls Zara after brand launches Lungi skirt for Rs 5000

<p>What do you do when the biggest fast fashion retailer in world launches an online shop in your country? Well, for starters, you hide your credit card. In October, Zara opened its website to e-commerce, thereby opening the floodgates to fast fashion accessibility.</p>

<p><strong>Accessibility of fast fashion to Indian consumers</strong></p>

<p>Zara, the world&#39;s largest clothing brand entered the Indian market in 2010 and has since doubled its sales every two years. Its monopoly on fast fashion in the country started waning with the introduction of H&amp;M, another fast-fashion retailer which introduced conservative price points making it pocket-friendly for fashion-forward consumers. In the last three years, Zara has grown at an average of 20 per cent, indicating that its novelty factor may be waning.</p>

<p>Zara&rsquo;s plans to tap the online channel in India will expand the brand&rsquo;s presence beyond the eight cities it is present in currently. Smaller cities and semi-rural areas are seen to be the next growth driver for e-commerce companies.</p>

<p><strong>What&rsquo;s hot and what&rsquo;s not</strong></p>

<p>Through its online store, customers will be able to buy the full range of goods that Zara offers in its physical stores. Standard deliveries are charged at around Rs 300, while orders above Rs 4,000 are delivered free. At the backend, Zara has been working with a warehouse in Haryana.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Customers in large cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad receive their Zara pieces within 2-4 working days while rest of the country receives it in 5-8 working days. No, expedite deliveries are currently available in the service. But hey, you can always pick your pieces conveniently at the store, if you want to wear them immediately!</p>

<p><strong>Omni-channel integration</strong></p>

<p>With an easy option for the consumer to choose between online delivery or pickup from the store, Zara&rsquo;s e-commerce introduces India to first ever truly integrated the omni-channel experience. Your Zara pieces can be checked for availability at stores closest to you, paid for online and directly picked up from stores. Clothes can be exchanged or returned at the store or through traditional e-commerce logistics. However, to return to the stores, you&rsquo;d have to wait a whole of 2 days after picking them up. (Phew!)</p>

<p><strong>A fantastic size chart</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default"><img alt="" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/12-20171201065925.jpg" />
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<p>Find the perfect size at Zara. (Others)</p>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)">&times;</a></div>

<p>Ever wondered whether you are a size M or a size L. Or maybe you are more of an M and less of an L? Zara&rsquo;s shoppable website introduces the concept of hybrid sizes along with suggestions depending on your unique body measurements (something that our Indian body types are eternally thankful for!). This service, outsourced to a firm, Fit Analytics, inputs your measurements and fit preference, before making a size suggestion for you. (in my case, the suggestions have been pretty convincing!) The algorithm works on finding your body double and suggesting the size that they bought &amp; kept.</p>

<p><strong>Stunning Visuals &amp; Storytelling</strong></p>

<p>Zara India&rsquo;s biggest website import has been their international quality visuals, curation and of course, campaigns which renew fortnightly. It is this freshness which continually brings one back, if not to purchase, then to spot the latest in fast fashion.</p>

<p>Product pages consist of product shots accompanied by model shots styled in various ways, which make the shopping decision a lot more impulsive!</p>

<p><strong>Price Parity</strong></p>

<p>Unlike traditional e-commerce practice of heavy-duty discounting to lure customers, Zara continues to maintain price parity across all their channels for all merchandise. All merchandise is available online at full price, with a few pieces slotted under &lsquo;special prices&rsquo;, much like their stores. Good on you, Zara!</p>

<div class="ui-state-default"><img alt="" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/1234-20171201060353.jpg" />
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<p>2017 Autumn collection at Zara. (Others)</p>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)">&times;</a></div>

<p><strong>Logistical inadequacy</strong></p>

<p>Coming to the biggest roadblock that there is currently the logistics. For the purchase that I made, I faced issues during store-pickup &amp; refund! While logistics for traditional e-commerce are managed by their partner, Delivery, pretty smoothly, the store pickups still face trivial issues. One of the biggest one being payment only through cash or credit card at the store (no debit cards!). As far as the refunds are concerned, the turn around time at the moment continues to be marginally higher than standard (i.e. more than 7-10 working days).</p>

<p>The Indian retail market was worth $641 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2026, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 10 per cent (according to the India Business of Fashion 2017 report). A lucrative market for US &amp; European brands, the Indian retail market has attracted a plethora of large private labels banking on high disposable and heavy influence of western street styles. Will the international brands be able to hold the fort of their e-commerce businesses much like they do in retail? We&rsquo;re yet to find out.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


Indian retail market has attracted a plethora of large private labels banking on high disposable and heavy influence of western street styles

What do you do when the biggest fast fashion retailer in world launches an online shop in your country? Well, for starters, you hide your credit card. In October, Zara opened its website to e-commerce, thereby opening the floodgates to fast fashion accessibility. Accessibility of fast fashion to Indian consumers Zara, the world's largest clothing brand entered the Indian market in 2010 and has since doubled its sales every two years. Its monopoly on fast fashion in the country started waning with the introduction of H&M, another fast-fashion retailer which introduced conservative price points making it pocket-friendly for fashion-forward consumers. In the last three years, Zara has grown at an average of 20 per cent, indicating that its novelty factor may be waning. Zara’s plans to tap the online channel in India will expand the brand’s presence beyond the eight cities it is present in currently. Smaller cities and semi-rural areas are seen to be the next growth driver for e-commerce companies. What’s hot and what’s not Through its online store, customers will be able to buy the full range of goods that Zara offers in its physical stores. Standard deliveries are charged at around Rs 300, while orders above Rs 4,000 are delivered free. At the backend, Zara has been working with a warehouse in Haryana. Customers in large cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad receive their Zara pieces within 2-4 working days while rest of the country receives it in 5-8 working days. No, expedite deliveries are currently available in the service. But hey, you can always pick your pieces conveniently at the store, if you want to wear them immediately! Omni-channel integration With an easy option for the consumer to choose between online delivery or pickup from the store, Zara’s e-commerce introduces India to first ever truly integrated the omni-channel experience. Your Zara pieces can be checked for availability at stores closest to you, paid for online and directly picked up from stores. Clothes can be exchanged or returned at the store or through traditional e-commerce logistics. However, to return to the stores, you’d have to wait a whole of 2 days after picking them up. (Phew!) A fantastic size chart Find the perfect size at Zara. (Others) × Ever wondered whether you are a size M or a size L. Or maybe you are more of an M and less of an L? Zara’s shoppable website introduces the concept of hybrid sizes along with suggestions depending on your unique body measurements (something that our Indian body types are eternally thankful for!). This service, outsourced to a firm, Fit Analytics, inputs your measurements and fit preference, before making a size suggestion for you. (in my case, the suggestions have been pretty convincing!) The algorithm works on finding your body double and suggesting the size that they bought & kept. Stunning Visuals & Storytelling Zara India’s biggest website import has been their international quality visuals, curation and of course, campaigns which renew fortnightly. It is this freshness which continually brings one back, if not to purchase, then to spot the latest in fast fashion. Product pages consist of product shots accompanied by model shots styled in various ways, which make the shopping decision a lot more impulsive! Price Parity Unlike traditional e-commerce practice of heavy-duty discounting to lure customers, Zara continues to maintain price parity across all their channels for all merchandise. All merchandise is available online at full price, with a few pieces slotted under ‘special prices’, much like their stores. Good on you, Zara! 2017 Autumn collection at Zara. (Others) × Logistical inadequacy Coming to the biggest roadblock that there is currently the logistics. For the purchase that I made, I faced issues during store-pickup & refund! While logistics for traditional e-commerce are managed by their partner, Delivery, pretty smoothly, the store pickups still face trivial issues. One of the biggest one being payment only through cash or credit card at the store (no debit cards!). As far as the refunds are concerned, the turn around time at the moment continues to be marginally higher than standard (i.e. more than 7-10 working days). The Indian retail market was worth $641 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2026, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 10 per cent (according to the India Business of Fashion 2017 report). A lucrative market for US & European brands, the Indian retail market has attracted a plethora of large private labels banking on high disposable and heavy influence of western street styles. Will the international brands be able to hold the fort of their e-commerce businesses much like they do in retail? We’re yet to find out. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: With international labels, fashion in India is changing

Jeff Bezos, the founder and chief executive of Amazon.com Inc, has become the world&#39;s third-richest person as of the market close for the first time, Forbes magazine said, passing Warren Buffett, the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.<br />
<br />
Bezos&#39; fortune was $65.3 billion as of 4:30 pm EDT on Thursday, compared with Buffett&#39;s $64.9 billion.<br />
<br />
Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates remained the world&#39;s richest person, at $77.7 billion, while Spain&#39;s Amancio Ortega, who founded the Zara clothing chain&#39;s owner Inditex SA, was second at $72.7 billion. Facebook Inc co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was fifth, at $54 billion.<br />
<br />
Bezos, 52, owns close to 18 per cent of Amazon. Its stock has risen by roughly 50 per cent since early February, as the world&#39;s largest online retailer continued to upend retailing as more people took to the Web rather than the mall to shop.<br />
<br />
Amazon&#39;s share price rose further in after-hours trading, after the Seattle-based company reported better-than-expected second-quarter results.<br />
<br />
Buffett, 85, owns close to 18 per cent of Berkshire, but his donation this month of $2.86 billion of Berkshire stock to the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation and four family charities led to his drop to fourth place. He has donated more than $24.3 billion to the Gates Foundation and family charities since 2006.<br />
<br />
Berkshire is based in Omaha, Nebraska, and has roughly 90 business units including Geico car insurance, the BNSF railroad and Dairy Queen ice cream.<br />
<br />
In June, Buffett called Bezos a &quot;classic example&quot; of how a business owner could thrive, by having focused at Amazon on how to &quot;delight&quot; customers, and keep them coming back, rather than simply process their orders.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates remained the world's richest person, at $77.7 billion

Jeff Bezos, the founder and chief executive of Amazon.com Inc, has become the world's third-richest person as of the market close for the first time, Forbes magazine said, passing Warren Buffett, the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Bezos' fortune was $65.3 billion as of 4:30 pm EDT on Thursday, compared with Buffett's $64.9 billion. Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates remained the world's richest person, at $77.7 billion, while Spain's Amancio Ortega, who founded the Zara clothing chain's owner Inditex SA, was second at $72.7 billion. Facebook Inc co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was fifth, at $54 billion. Bezos, 52, owns close to 18 per cent of Amazon. Its stock has risen by roughly 50 per cent since early February, as the world's largest online retailer continued to upend retailing as more people took to the Web rather than the mall to shop. Amazon's share price rose further in after-hours trading, after the Seattle-based company reported better-than-expected second-quarter results. Buffett, 85, owns close to 18 per cent of Berkshire, but his donation this month of $2.86 billion of Berkshire stock to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and four family charities led to his drop to fourth place. He has donated more than $24.3 billion to the Gates Foundation and family charities since 2006. Berkshire is based in Omaha, Nebraska, and has roughly 90 business units including Geico car insurance, the BNSF railroad and Dairy Queen ice cream. In June, Buffett called Bezos a "classic example" of how a business owner could thrive, by having focused at Amazon on how to "delight" customers, and keep them coming back, rather than simply process their orders. (Reuters)

Bezos passes Buffett, becomes third-richest person: Forbes

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