ZARA — Local services in Chicago

Hate Crime and Discrimination

I am writing about a deeply distressing and discriminatory experience I had at the Zara store located on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I believe no one should have to endure the kind of humiliation and intimidation I faced at the hands of their security staff.

On Saturday, August 2nd, between 7:50 and 8:00 PM, I visited the Zara store to make a quick return. The ground floor counters were busy, so I proceeded to the second floor. Although the store was still open for another six minutes, a security guard blocked my path and told me the floor was closed. There were still several customers on the floor, including some in line for checkout, yet I was singled out and asked to leave.

When I turned to leave and briefly paused near a shirt display, the same security guard followed me aggressively and said, “Ma’am, leave. The stairway is that way,” with a hostile and mocking expression. I calmly told him I was leaving and asked why he was fixated on me. He remained planted behind me, pointing toward the stairs, his body language and tone intended to intimidate.

I attempted to speak with another store associate to report the incident, and once again, he inserted himself and said no one would listen to me. The associate quietly acknowledged that his behavior was inappropriate and apologized to me. I then went to the ground floor to seek a manager. The guard followed me there too and stated loudly, “She won’t listen to you, I’m her supervisor,” continuing his mockery and interference. He even said, “Nothing’s going to happen here, let’s talk outside,” in a manner that felt threatening and dismissive.

His behavior was not only aggressive and humiliating, it also strongly appeared to be racially and religiously motivated. As a visibly Muslim woman of color, I cannot ignore the fact that others in the store were not treated this way, yet I was repeatedly followed, targeted, and silenced. It felt like I was being made an example of, and his smirk seemed to say, no one will believe you, and no one will help you.

This incident deeply shook me. I am in recovery from major depression and years of emotional abuse. Situations like this are retraumatizing, and I left the store in tears, overwhelmed with a sense of powerlessness and fear. Since then, I have found myself anxious and afraid to go out, worried that I may be harassed or targeted again for simply existing.

I have contacted Zara’s corporate office, but I have yet to receive a meaningful response. No customer should be subjected to such targeted hostility, especially in a city as...

A poor example of the way customer service should be. My friend and I work at Saks Fifth Ave in Ohio, we are here on a business trip to Chicago. We went into the fitting room, we were waiting on a worker to guide us to a room but neither of the two women working the fitting room even acknowledged us. So okay, I guess it’s self serve here, my friend goes into a fitting room on her own as I wait right outside the curtain. (For my approval on things of course) The women are literally talking about me being weird for standing outside the curtain while my friend is trying things on as if it isn’t weirder if I were to be inside the room with her. I ignore it, my friend grabs her items she wants to purchase but also has a question on where the accessories were. She goes to ask one of the women, the woman immediately cuts her off and asks her to go back into the fitting room and “clean up after yourself”. We both work in retail, we understand it is busy sometimes and that it is one of the hardest jobs when you are going through things in your own personal life. But there is a way you can approach and ask a customer to please bring unwanted clothes out with you and hang them on the rack. Completely unacceptable behavior, and these women should be ashamed talking about customers with no regards to the fact that they are standing right there! They don’t wear name tags, they don’t give names even when you ask, there is no survey on the receipt, FOR A REASON PEOPLE! They can be rude and treat you however they wish because there is no one to report to and clearly management does not take customer service seriously as there are plenty of workers that care more about analyzing people who look like they would steal than fixing the destroyed clothing racks and tables. There is security in the store for a reason not to mention THREE men that stand by the door anyways. And by the way, ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE STEAL. It is NOT a sales associates job to judge and critique people. This place is just awful and I have much more to say but this review along with lots of other complaints will probably not be reviewed. Great, trendy clothing but eventually people run out of dignity to give money to an establishment that cares 0% about how their employees treat the people paying their bills....

Zara, founded in 1975 in Spain by Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera, has grown into a global fashion powerhouse with over 2,000 stores worldwide. Renowned for its fast-fashion model, Zara can design, produce, and deliver new products to stores within a few weeks, allowing it to swiftly respond to changing fashion trends. 

Product Quality and Design

Zara offers a wide range of clothing, accessories, shoes, swimwear, beauty products, and perfumes. The brand is known for its stylish and contemporary designs that appeal to a broad demographic, particularly individuals aged 18 to 35. However, some customers have raised concerns about the quality and durability of certain items. Issues such as garments coming apart, stitching unraveling, and buttons falling off after minimal use have been reported.   

Customer Service and Shopping Experience

Customer experiences with Zara’s service have been mixed. Some shoppers appreciate the brand’s affordable prices and quick shipping. However, others have reported dissatisfaction with customer service, citing challenges with the return process and inconsistent support. On review platforms like Sitejabber, Zara has received low ratings, with common complaints about customer service and return policies. 

Sustainability Efforts

In response to growing environmental concerns, Zara has committed to sustainability initiatives. The company pledged to eliminate hazardous chemicals from its supply chain by 2020 and has introduced eco-friendly materials in its collections. Customers have noted and appreciated these efforts, reflecting a positive shift in the brand’s approach to environmental responsibility.  

Conclusion

Zara’s ability to rapidly adapt to fashion trends and offer stylish designs at accessible prices has solidified its position as a leader in the fast-fashion industry. While the brand faces challenges related to product quality and customer service, its ongoing efforts in sustainability and responsiveness to consumer preferences demonstrate a commitment to evolving in a...