UK customers pay more

Eponymous high street retailer, Zara, has been digging deeper into its UK customers’ pockets than shoppers elsewhere around the world. Research shows that the Spanish owned, hugely successful retailer is charging British customers as much as 45%

more for its T-shirts, dresses, bags and shoes.

So for example a chic, lapelled trench coat would cost £59.30 in Spain, whilst a UK customer would pay £79.99, a well cut leather dress is £84.73 in Spain and £119.00 in the UK and a day bag is £67.77 in Spain and retails in the UK for £79.99.

Zara is part of the Inditex group, owned by Spanish fashion mogul, Amancio Ortega – the group also own Massimo Dutti, Berschka, Pull & Bear, Oysho, Stradivarius, Uterque. Around 50% of products are made in Spain, 26% in other European areas and 24% in Asia and Africa

However, depressingly, research doesn’t just point to Zara. With international chains and brands, both high end and high street, seeing British buyers as a rich source of profit, where they can get away with upping price tags.

Ralph Lauren are at it too. A Blue label item is currently available in the States for the equivalent of £74 whilst retailing in the UK at £180.

And with the imminent launch of ubiquitous US high street brand, Forever 21, on Oxford Street, watch your budgets – pieces are marked up in the UK about 25%.

Nor does this only apply to clothing labels, make a purchase from the cosmetics company Boots and you will be paying a 1/3 more than in the US.

It’s no wonder industry insiders now are calling Britain ‘treasure island!’

Image: Zara