Zara

   A specialty store chain that was launched in 1975 (the same year that Spain's dictator General Francisco Franco died) by reclusive businessman Amancio Ortega (1936- ) in Coruna, Galicia, Spain. Ortega was owner of the Inditex textile empire and Zara is part of the Spanish Inditex Group, which also owns brands Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home, and Kiddy's Class. The conglomerate boasts 2,858 stores in sixty-four countries and of that total, Zara stores number 912 stores in sixty-four countries. Zara not only delivers fashion at a price but is Europe's largest fashion retailer, competing with industry giants such as Gap, Benetton, and H&M. Zara embraced computerized technology that resulted in the ability to bring product to market in a two-week turnaround time as compared to the usual nine-month industry average. Zara merchandise competes with branded merchandise yet it has a zero-advertising policy, which enables it to pass those savings along to its customers. Zara is best known for noticing stylish catwalk trends, responding quickly to consumer demand, producing product in record speed, and delivering creativity and quality design at affordable prices. Most of the 10,000 new styles offered each year are made in Europe—in their own high-tech factories located in Ar-teixo, Spain, which is one of the keys to the turnaround time record.