Spanish Zara Stores Now Work by Appointment

Spain’s Inditex Group is restarting retail stores in the domestic market.

Spain’s Inditex Group, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, resumes operations of retail stores in the domestic market in Spain, where it has been operating since the beginning of the year, according to a Spanish newspaper report on the company’s operations. On May 7, 2020, the first stores of Zara, Bershka, Pull & Bear, and other brands under the group’s control were opened, Euro Weekly News reports. 

In the first phase, the authorities allowed the operation of retail stores with an area of up to 400 square meters. For the first time, customers can visit stores by appointment via phone or e-mail. According to the established rules, no more than four customers will be allowed inside the store simultaneously. 

At the same time, starting on May 11, the operating regime of retail outlets in Spain will be relaxed. Shoppers will be able to visit stores without an appointment, but their bandwidth will be limited to 30% of regular traffic. In addition, the security requirements set by the state authorities will be in force. Stores in shopping malls are scheduled to open on May 25. 

Inditex Group was one of the companies that retained its entire staff during the period when the retail stores were closed and ensured payments to its employees for March and April 2020. The company today operates 1600 stores in Spain, most of which are located in shopping malls and exceed 600 square meters in area (approximately 600 square feet).