Zara Unveils Expansive Store at Trafford Centre, Offers Unique Features

A new, expansive Zara store has officially opened at the Trafford Centre, marking a significant expansion for the global fashion retailer. This new location features several UK firsts, including innovative shopping experiences and a dedicated “baby boutique.”

The new Zara store, located in a revamped section adjacent to John Lewis, spans over 3,000 square metres of retail space on a single level. It showcases a wide range of fashion collections for women, men, and children, introducing dedicated areas for fragrances and special collections such as Zara Origins and Zara Athleticz. The “baby boutique” is a highlight, offering a complete line of newborn and babywear, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

Visitors to the store can also enjoy a new shoe and handbag lounge area designed for comfort, allowing customers to relax while trying on shoes. Four new entrances lead shoppers directly to specific sections, enhancing the flow and accessibility within the store. The interior features a modern design that creates a distinct identity for each space, reflecting Zara’s latest global flagship store concept.

An innovative aspect of the new store is the absence of traditional cash registers. Instead, there are 20 checkout desks equipped with computers for an “assisted checkout” experience. This system aims to streamline the payment process, reducing long queues that often characterized the previous location. While cash payments remain an option in a designated area, the new setup is designed to provide a more efficient shopping experience.

The store layout also includes dedicated areas for handling returns, both in-store and online. Behind the scenes, a new automated clothing sorting system is set to improve efficiency in the changing rooms, allowing staff to focus more on customer service. Additionally, the store promotes sustainability with a cardboard collection point for recycling online packaging and a container for used clothing donations.

This major investment by the Inditex Group, which owns Zara, also includes the recent opening of the largest Bershka store in the UK and a redesigned PullandBear store set to open later this year. The new Zara has created 75 new jobs, contributing to the 270 employees now working across the Trafford Centre site.

Zara first entered the UK market in 1998 with a store on Regent Street in London. Over the years, the brand has expanded its presence to 57 stores nationwide, employing approximately 4,500 people. Founded in May 1975 by Amancio Ortega in A Coruña, Spain, Zara has become a significant player in the global fashion industry, part of a larger portfolio that includes brands like Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, and Stradivarius.

The opening of this new store at the Trafford Centre not only enhances the shopping experience for customers but also represents Zara’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction in the ever-evolving retail landscape.