Really sad news to find out the Founder of
Zara, Rosalia Mera, has died aged 69 from a stroke on August 15 2013.
Starting out in the 60’s, Mera and her
husband Amancio Ortega, stitched quilted bathrobes and lingerie based on
designer collections and sold them for an affordable price. Today Zara is one of the world’s largest
fashion retailers, with over 6000 stores in 86 countries and the ability to
change their branches stock every two weeks!
This massively successful brand made the self taught entrepreneur one of
the richest women in Spain and earlier this year Zara overtook the telecom
company ‘Telefonica’ to become Spain’s largest listed company.
Rosalia Mera and her husband pioneered the
concept of ‘fast fashion’ where they adapted the latest catwalk trends and made
them into affordable versions to sell in store within two weeks. Zara was also one of the first companies to
use computers to analysis customers wants- when shop assistants notice certain
products not selling they are able report this information straight back to
headquarters where they will immediately stop production.
I find it very impressive that Mera left
school at the age of 11 to work as a sales assistant and was able to create and
grow such a large successful Brand without any formal training. It is said that, although very wealthy and
successful Mera remained a very down to earth lady “who could be seen in La
Coruña dancing salsa on Thursday nights, and singing with friends at a local
tavern on Fridays.”
The story of Rosalia Mera is truly
inspirational. She created a Brand that
will continue to thrive.
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