steviedeluxe

First there was Campers, then we had Zara helping to make its founder into one of the world's richest men.
Now we have Desigual - and reading the wiki entry, they aren't doing so bad either..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desigual
What's their secret? We're told that short design-to-production times allow Zara to change their stock quickly, but surely this is something other retailers can find out how to do?
Have they just been lucky, or is there a hidden reason for their success?

amideislas

The keyword is abroad, but once you've opted to address a global audience, competent management is key.

steviedeluxe

Yet they started off successfully at home I believe?


Unless you're saying that's it's easy to make a success on the international market?

cricketman

I am bemused at Desigual

The clothes are ugly, overpriced and completely unoriginal. I have no idea who would buy their clothes

The Spanish retail successes are staggering though

steviedeluxe

Some of us don't really understand Zara's success either. People tell me their clothes aren't that good and rarely last more than a year. But perhaps that's the point..
Looking at the Desigual UK site at least their stuff is colourful.

I also want to ask (but it may be better on another thread) do you see El Corte Ingles keeping going?

amideislas

Spain isn't exactly the easiest place to build a new business. It's riddled with bureaucracy and corruption (not my opinion, but a simple fact).

Once you become a global enterprise, you leave many of the Spanish burdens at home, but you need a global management mindset in order to be successful at it.

cricketman

Absolutely - they are just going through a price adjustment because people have a lot less money nowadays. Only hope they dont lose too much quality

amideislas

Somebody must be buying it. I reckon they must all be morons, then? Or perhaps it's another conspiracy? They are holding people hostage and making them buy ugly stuff?

That's why you're dismal at business CMan. Your assessment is always subjective, based on your closed minded opinions, rather than reality.

cricketman

And that's your problem amidelislas, you dont understand that everything in this life is subjective, except for the "laws" of the universe

It is just that some things are more subjective than others

Anyway, why I am dismal at business? I'd subjectively say that I am rather good

amideislas

Hmm... let me take a stab in the dark.

maybe people.. erm.. kind of like it when they don't have to pay €150 for a pair of jeans?

But then, it's probably a conspiracy to force people to buy junk they don't want.

Personally, I'd much rather pay €150, €200, or €500 for something that's a bit better quality. Unfortunately, I can't afford it.

steviedeluxe

Who's saying you have to pay €150 for a pair of jeans??

You're arguing a point no-one has made.

cricketman

Somebody must be a terrible business person. Did capitalism let you down?

btw, once you get to about 120-150 euros for a pair of jeans then anything on top of that is for the label, not the quality. Just to let you know so your envy won't get out of control

amideislas

I don't like green coloured cars, but you know what? people still buy them.

cricketman

Yes, but not many! You will see a lot more silver and red ones

amideislas

Erm, you questioned how such crap stuff could sell.

it's easy to find €150 jeans. But not everyone can afford them. Many more people can afford €30 jeans. I wonder if that has had any impact on Zara's business??? Ya think?

I love irony. We complain about high prices, then when someone offers something of better value, it's crap.