Zara Review 2024: Is It Legit or Scam?

Zara is a fashion retailer store that is based in based in Arteixo, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. Clothing, accessories, shoes, swimwear, beauty products and fragrances are among the items offered by the Zara. It is the world’s top apparel retailer, according to Forbes magazine. It was founded by Amancio Ortega in 1975 and is part of the Inditex conglomerate, which is the world’s biggest clothing company.

Zara says that the company “is one of the biggest international fashion companies”. That is on point. They operate worldwide and specialize in men, women and kids wear. The company belongs to Inditex, which is one of the largest fashion retail groups in the world.

The first Zara store was opened in 1975 in A Coruña (Spain) by Amancio Ortega (the founder of Inditex). Zara’s goal was not just to provide fashion styles but to provide them at affordable prices. To achieve this, they adopted a business shrank the gap between fashion creation and the customer, and brought customers closer than ever to the products they want.

Zara’s approach to fashion was a success, and by 1983, the company has expanded across Spain, with nine stores in some of the most prestigious shopping districts in Spain’s biggest cities. In 1988, Zara went international by opening a Zara store in Porto (Portugal); and one year after, they went transatlantic by opening a store in Lexington Avenue (New York, USA).

In the years that follow, Zara continued their expansion by entering new markets (opening Zara stores) all over Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa; by 2007, the Zara store that was opened in Florence was the 1,000^th. The expansion was beyond the clothing lines because in 2003 Zara launched Zara Home, which sells home and interior collections.

When businesses started moving online, the home and interiors brand was the first to go online with the launch of Zarahome.com in 2007. In 2010, the clothing line quickly followed with the launch of Zara.com, and Zara began to sell their products online.

Zara is a legit online fashion store. They are not a scam because they will never steal your money or credit card details. And you will receive any products you ordered from the store without a problem. But does Zara offer quality materials?

Zara advertises as one of the biggest fashion companies in the world. Fine! However, most customers do not care about the size of a fashion retailer; they just want a company from whom they can get elegant and quality fashion products, at affordable prices, and without stress.

The question is whether Zara is the popular fashion company that it is advertised to be. Is Zara genuine?

 This review will also examine zara.com in order to provide the information that will help you answer those questions.

Zara review a glance

• Spain based fashion retailer, owned by Inditex, that started operation in 1975
• Specialize in women, men and kids’ wear
• Started online operation in 2010
• Has an extensive retail network that consists of over 1000 physical stores worldwide
• Offers free shipping
• Allows returns for refund or exchange made within 30 days of the delivery date
• Customer support is available via chat, telephone and social media

Is Zara Legit?

Zara is legit, and not a scam fashion store. Although, one of the first things people want to know is whether an online store is genuine or fake. To be fair, you really can’t blame them; there are just too many fake/ scam stores to not be concerned about.

These scam stores operate by luring customers to make payments for non-existent merchandise that will never be delivered. Customers who fall prey will lose their payment, and can even have their accounts cleared. Thus, it’s super important to first determine if an online store is legit or a scam.

In this regard, Zara.com comes out flying because there is no doubt that Zara is legit. The first consideration is the owner and operators of Zara. Zara is owned by Inditex, which is an incorporated company. This means that Inditex, and by extension Zara, is 100% legal and thus legit.

Also, Inditex is a public company; its shares have been listed on the Madrid stock exchange since 2001 and are included in blue-chip stock indices such as the Ibex 35, FTSE Eurotop 100 and the Eurostoxx 600. Suffice it to say that no fake/ scam store will seek incorporation, or go as far as being listed in a Stock Exchange.

To many customers, a fake store is one that does not deliver their order and will disappear with the payment made. Thus, a legit store will have physical existence and the capacity to fulfil orders. In this regard, Zara ticks the box. Zara.com does not exist only virtually.

Apart from the corporate headquarter in Arteixo (Spain); they have logistic centres and factories as well as over a thousand stores across the world. These worldwide stores hold merchandise in the millions. With these, there’s no doubt that Zara.com will deliver your package. This shows that Zara is legit because the fake stores exist only virtually, with no physical product to deliver.

Lastly, the test of time also establishes Zara as legit. With the first Zara store opened in 1975, it means that Zara has been operating for over 43 years. Suffice it to say that no fake/ scam store can operate that long. Usually, word comes out when fake stores rip off people; and with such exposure, they close shop and disappear.

Is Zara safe?

Zara is also a safe fashion store. Every legit online store should be safe. An online store is safe means that it will protect whatever information customers share with them. If an online store is not safe, sensitive information (such as credit card details) that a customer shares with them will be captured by other fraudsters; and the end result will be that the customer is defrauded.

Is it safe to shop online at zara.com? An article on their website answers: “Yes. You can shop with total peace of mind as we make every effort to ensure we have the resources that guarantee the security of your purchases and details”.

Zara explains that the security of customers’ information is one of their top priorities; and that they invest a large number of resources and use the most recent technologies available to ensure that customers’ data is processed in secure environments. However, they do not spell out the security measures that they adopt.

While we will like to know such details (e.g. the encryption standard used) to make sure; it should be said that Zara’s e-commerce platform has received multiple certifications for best practice with regard to managing information, security and compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requirements. These certifications can only mean one thing – Zara follows the industry’s strictest standards to provide you with a purchasing experience in a private, trusted and secure environment.

Features

Website Accessibility

The first contact with an online store is the website; thus, you’ll want the website of the ideal online fashion store to be functional and friendly. The first thing you’ll find when you enter zara.com is that you’ll have to choose your destination and language and you’ll be taken to a location-specific web page. Unlike most fashion stores that build a generic website, the website of Zara is tailored to specific markets/ regions. After choosing your region, everything is displayed in the local currency, and rates are specific to the region.

The website itself is like the website of a typical fashion retailer – featuring large images of on-model clothing items, with minimalist text describing each image. You don’t want a text that is cluttered, and Zara’s isn’t. You’ll find tabs appropriately placed that will take you to the various section of the site – to browse the collections or look up the company’s policies (shipping, returns, etc). The site is easy to move about in, and you’ll have no issues finding what you want.

Another important consideration about the website of a fashion online store is whether the website will allow you to shop on the go, that is, from anywhere and anytime. A website that will allow shopping on the go is a website that works well on mobile devices. Thankfully, Zara.com works well on mobile operating systems. It works well on Android, iOS, Windows phones and other mobile platforms.

The website is fully mobile optimized and resizes well to fit the small screens of mobile devices. All you need do is type the URL into your web browser and you’ll be redirected to the mobile page. The Zara website is optimized to be viewed with Google Chrome 44 (or later), Safari 8 (or later), Mozilla Firefox 45 (or later), Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 (or later) and Microsoft Edge 12 (or later).

Sustainability

Many customers want a fashion store that is not only passionate about providing fashion products but one that is also passionate about providing fashion without harming the environment/ planet.

In this regard, Zara ticks the box. For example, Zara has an outerwear line that is made entirely of recycled material. The TRF recycled outerwear capsule is made using recycled plastic/ polyesters. Apart from helping to keep the environment clean, its production uses less energy and water.

Zara’s sustainability effort has gained international recognition. In 2016, the company was named as group leader for the retailing industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and top Greenpeace’s Detox Catwalk. Zara’s approach to zero discharge of hazardous chemicals during production has been described as ‘exemplary’.

Product Range

The ideal fashion shop should be a one-stop shop which holds a wide range of fashion products so that you can shop for all your fashion needs in one place. One reason you’ll want to get all your items from one store is that it gives significant cost savings. There are savings from bulk purchase discounts, as well as savings from shipping one order as against shipping multiple orders from multiple stores.

In this regard, Zara ticks the box. First, Zara provides women’s wear, men’s wear and kids’ wear. Thus, Zara is an everybody’s fashion shop. Also, in each section, Zara holds the full gamut – clothing, shoes, accessories etc.

In the women’s wear section, you’ll find: coats, jackets, blazers, dresses, jumpsuits, shirts and blouses, tops, t-shirts, bodysuits, sweatshirts, pants, jeans, shorts, skirts, knitwear, co-ord sets, suits, shoes, bags, accessories

In the men’s wear section, you’ll find: outerwear, jackets, blazers, suits, pants, shorts, jeans, shirts, t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, tracksuits, knitwear, shoes, bags, gift card, accessories

The kid’s section is divided into five categories: girl, 5 – 14 years; boy, 5 – 14 years; baby girl, 3 months – 4 years; baby boy, 3 months – 4 years; mini, 0-12 months. You’ll find coats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, shirts, dresses & romper suits, jumpsuits, sets, knitwear, pants and overalls, jogging, leggings and pants, basics, jeans, skirts & shorts, bags and backpacks, shoes, accessoriesRotita dresses ads:

Rotita Swimwear ads:

Rotita Swimwear ads:

Prices and Promotions

The prices of items in the store change from time to time; but comparing the prices with those in other stores, it can be seen that Zara has competitive prices. You’ll find a lot of elegant clothing pieces below $50. If you’re on a budget, Zara is one place to shop for exquisite fashion pieces at very affordable prices.

However, it was seen that Zara does not run as many promotions as some other fashion stores. Usually, the landing page of online fashion stores greets you with promos such as price discounts and free products; but none of those was seen in Zara’s. While their relatively affordable prices make the lack of promos less painful, we’ll like to see more promos offered by Zara.

Payment Methods

The ideal online fashion store should support a wide range of payment methods, o that customers can conveniently pay for their orders no matter where they may be based. In this regard, Zara ticks the box. They support different payment methods, and the options available to any customer depend on where the customer is paying from.

For example, Customers in the US can pay via Visa, Master Card, American Express, PayPal, JCB, Discover, Gift Card, Apple Pay, and Diners Club. Also, if you are paying from China, the options available are China Union Pay, Payment on delivery (POD), Alipay, and WeChat Payment.

It can be seen that no matter where you are paying from, you’ll find one payment method that is widely supported in your territory. Thus, making payment for orders in Zara is painless. You’ll also notice that in certain locations, Zara accepts POD (Payment on Delivery). Not many fashion retailers do this.

Shipping

Shipping is second only to price in importance in online purchases. The shipping considerations are shipping destinations, shipping cost and shipping times.

With regards to shipping destinations, you’ll want an online shop that ships to numerous locations worldwide so that no matter where you are you can shop in the shop and be sure to receive delivery of your order. In this regard, Zara ticks the box; they ship to over 150 locations worldwide which include Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

With regards to shipping costs, you’ll want a store that has shipping rates which are as low as possible. This is because, even when items are acceptably priced, high shipping costs can easily increase the total expenditure on items and put them in the unacceptable range. In this regard, Zara also ticks the box by offering the lowest possible shipping cost which is free shipping. However, there is a catch. Your order has to be up to a particular amount to qualify for free shipping. Where free shipping is not applicable; Zara charges reasonable flat rates.

With regards to shipping times, you don’t want to wait forever to receive delivery of your package, so you’ll want a store that has fast delivery as opposed to one that has slow delivery. In this regard, Zara also does well. This is made possible because Zara has numerous stores and distribution centres in different locations worldwide. Most times, orders will be dispatched from one of the closest centres, which translates to shorter times for the orders to reach your receiving address.

There are different delivery options available depending on what country/ region you’ll be shipping to; and these options determine the price.

When shipping to addresses in the US, there is the option of collection at a Zara store. The package will be sent to a Zara shop close to you, and you (or someone in your place) can pick it up after showing identification. It takes 3 – 5 business days for the package to get to the store, and the delivery option is free.

Alternatively, you can have the package sent directly to your home address. There are different options for that – standard delivery, express delivery, and same-day delivery. The standard delivery will get the package to your home in 2 – 4 business days, and it cost 4.95 USD. However, it is free for every order above 50 USD.

If you’ve checked other reviews of online fashion stores, you’ll find that for those that demand that you spend up to an amount to qualify for free shipping, this is the lowest order qualifying amount in the market. Some stores will demand that customers spend as much as $100 (and even over $100) to qualify for free shipping. With Zara demanding that you spend only $50 to qualify for free shipping, there’ll be no pressure to spend more than you intended just because you want to get free shipping.

There is also an Express delivery option to the US which takes 1 – 2 business days and costs 9.95 USD. Finally, there is an “On the same day of the purchase” which also cost 9.95 USD. This delivery option does exactly as its name suggests; which is to get you the package on the same day that you ordered it.

However, the orders must be placed before 1:00 PM (Monday to Friday) for you to receive them on the same day. The delivery will be made between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM (EST).  Also, the Same Day delivery is available for only orders shipping to New York addresses.

If you’ll be shipping to Britain, there is also a free “collection at a Zara store” option. The package will take 2 – 3 business days to get to the Zara store of your choosing, and you can pick it up there. There is also a “Drop Point” delivery option which is similar to the in-store delivery option.

In the drop point delivery, Zara will deliver the package to certain drop points (which will be made available to you at checkout); you can then identify yourself at the drop point to get the package. The Drop point also takes 2 – 3 business days, and costs 1.95 GBP. However, it is free for orders over 50 GBP.

There is also home delivery with different delivery options. There is a “Next Day” delivery which gets you the package a day after it was ordered. However, the orders have to be placed before 19:00 (Monday to Friday) for them to be delivered the day after you buy them. This delivery option cost 3.95 GBP; but is free for orders over 50 GBP.

There is also a “Same Day” delivery which gets you the package on the same day it is ordered (but the orders have to be placed before 14:00 Monday to Saturday). However, the same-day delivery is available for only orders shipping to London. Also, it cost 9.95 GBP. London orders also have a “Precise day” delivery option where you can choose the date and time you want the delivery (except on Sundays). It cost 5.95 GBP.

If you’ll be shipping to Canada; there is the in-store delivery option which will get your order to a Zara store of your choice in 1 – 5 business days. Collection at a Canadian Zara store is free.  Home delivery options include Standard delivery, Express delivery, and Same Day delivery. The Standard delivery takes 1 – 5 business days and costs 4.95 CAD (but is free for orders over 50 CAD).

The Express delivery takes 1 – 2 business days, and costs 9.95 CAD. While the “On the same day of the purchase” delivery cost 9.95 CAD. The Same Day delivery will get you the package the same day you place the order between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, as long as the order is placed before 1:00 PM. However, the same day delivery option is available for only orders going to Toronto.

For China orders, there is also an in-store delivery which will get your order to the Zara store close to you for pick up. It takes 2 – 7 working days for your order to arrive at the chosen store, and it is free. There are also home delivery options. These include a standard delivery which takes 2 – 7 business days and costs ¥ 10.00. However, there is free standard shipping for orders over ¥ 199.00. There is the Same Day delivery which cost ¥ 10.00, and is free for orders over ¥ 199.00. However, the same day delivery is only for orders within Shanghai; and the orders must be placed before 12:00.

We cannot cover shipping details for every international destination, but one thing is certain – since Zara operates stores in more countries than almost every fashion online store, they are able to provide free in-store delivery in almost every destination.

Returns and Exchange Policy

Returns

When making purchases from an online store, you should also be interested in their return policy. This is because online purchases are characterized by blind purchase, where you don’t get to physically see and assess the item before completing the transaction, and there is the risk that the item might not be what you had expected. It is not just that you might not be satisfied with the quality; the item may be delivered to you damaged.

Since most fashion products are sized products, there is the chance of ordering an item that is too small or too big and does not fit. Whatever the case, you’ll want that a legit online store allows you to return an item that you’re not satisfied with and give you a refund of your payment, or at the least give you a replacement in its place.

Thankfully, Zara allows returns. The returns window is 30 days which means that you have 30 days from the time of purchase (date of delivery) to return any item to them. If you’ve checked other reviews of online fashion stores, you’ll find that this is the best returns window out there. There’s hardly any store that allows more than 30 days for returns.

You have the option to return the item you opt to return to a Zara store. All you need do is go to the Zara Store (in the same country or region in which you have made your purchase) with your printed or electronic sales receipt. Alternatively, you may return the item by mail. You can even do it from the comfort of your home; all you need do is package the item appropriately, and Zara will send a courier to collect your return from the address you select.

However, before the items will be accepted by Zara, they not only have to be returned within the 30 days window, there are some conditions that must also be met. For example swimwear cannot be returned except if the hygiene strip is unbroken; underwear items cannot be returned, except for tops, bodysuits, and vests from the Kids’ section kept in their original packaging; accessories can only be returned if they are in their full original packaging; fragrances can only be returned if they are in the original sealed packaging; also lipstick can only be returned in its same packaging and its original condition. Also, clothing to be returned must be in their original new conditions – unworn, unwashed and undamaged.

If the returned items meet the returns conditions and get to Zara within the allowed 30 days window, you’ll be issued a refund. The refund will get to you via the original payment method you used for the initial purchase. Zara pledges to process and issue refunds within 14 days of receiving the returned items.

Exchanges

Sometimes, you don’t want to return the item for a refund, but just to get another item in exchange for it. Most stores do not allow exchanges; you’ll have to return the item, and wait to get a refund before placing s fresh order. With such stores, the process of getting the new item is longer than necessary because of the time used waiting to get refunded. However, where a store allows exchanges, you can place the order once the returned items have been approved. Thus, the ideal store should allow product exchanges.

Not many online fashion stores allow exchanges; thankfully, Zara does. However, you can only exchange a product for a different colour or size. If you’ll want a different item altogether, you’ll have to return the item for a refund and place a fresh order.

Though Zara states that “you have 30 days from the shipping date to exchange your Zara.com purchase”, they also state that “you have 14 days from the exchange request to return your merchandise”. So if you hope to get an exchange, you should make sure that the first item reaches them at most 14 days after the exchange request. If the items get to Zara after 14 days, they will charge you the amount of the replacement items requested from your original payment method.

However, online exchanges are possible only if you made the original payment with certain payment options. For example, if the original payment was made with PayPal, you cannot get an online product exchange.

Customer Support Service

The ideal fashion retailer should make provisions for addressing customers’ issues and inquiries. This is because no matter how effectively a service runs, there’ll be customers that have questions that they’ll need answers to, and there’ll also be those that have issues with using the service.

An online fashion store is no exception. In your online shopping experience, there’ll come a time when you have to contact the store, and you’ll need a store with an effective customer support service.

The different channels that Zara provides for directly contacting one of their support agents are live chat, telephone, and social media. The chat feature is available round the clock (24/ 7); however, responses are not always instant as you’ll expect of a live chat service. For the telephone service, Zara provides toll-free lines so that you won’t have to worry about charges when you call for assistance.

There are different lines depending on the country you are calling from. The US toll-free line is 1-855 635 9272. However, unlike the chat service, the telephone service is not available 24/ 7. It is active only between 8.30 am to 7.30 pm (EST) on Monday to Friday, and between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (EST) on Saturdays. Zara can also be reached using their social media handles (Facebook: ZARACare; Twitter: @Zara_care).

Pros

• One one-stop fashion store for everyone – women, men and kids
• Holds a wide product range and a large inventory of each product type
• Offers competitive prices
• Operate physical stores in worldwide locations
• Offers free shipping
• Offers product exchanges

Cons:

• Does not offer too many promos

Conclusion

Zara is one of the biggest and legitimate fashion retailers in the world. They have an extensive retail network that consists of stores in almost all the big cities of the world. There’s no doubt that the online shop is legit and safe. They’ve been operating for over four decades, and their chain of stores and distribution centres gives them the capacity to fulfil orders.

They ship to numerous worldwide locations, and they offer free shipping. Shipping times are relatively fast, and they allow returns within 30 days of the delivery date if you’re not totally pleased with any item in the order.