Zolla Fast Fashion Benchmarking
We build fashion store brands designed to transform markets.
Trending. Profitable. Store Optimisation.
Benchmarking International fast fashion retail brands.
Analysis of brands and store interiors, when developing
distinctive design concepts.
A modern analysis of fashion retail brand identities and store interiors, offering insights and strategies for developing distinctive branding, store layouts, and interior design concepts.
When the Zolla Fashion Retail management team approached us with a request to propose a new concept for the development of their fashion stores, we began by benchmarking leading international fashion brands.
To uncover future trends in store design, we conducted an in-depth market analysis with a focus on current design practices. This critical research phase lays the foundation for advancing to the design stage of a new store concept. The findings are showcased below through a visual comparison of store design, visual merchandising, and branding strategies.
Backstory to Zolla
Zola is a fast fashion retail chain with over 450 directly owned stores in Russia: known for offering a range of stylish and trendy apparel, targeting primarily young adults and women with a keen interest in fashion-forward but affordable clothing. The brand has developed a distinct business model that aligns with the fast-fashion industry, focusing on trend responsiveness, affordability, and a robust omnichannel presence.
To help predict future fashion store design trends, we began by looking at Zolla’s existing store design and benchmarking international fashion store chains.
Our creative team benchmarked best-in-class fast fashion brands that create differentiation, drive brand loyalty and increase margins in their products.
We discovered how retailers are re-designing fashion store formats to suit the changing needs of consumers. Rethinking store designs, brand identities, format planning, footprint optimization, and merchandising systems design with the modern consumer in mind.
Discover trending fashion
H&M’s 591 Broadway in New York emphasises a clean, minimalist aesthetic with exposed brick, a neutral colour scheme and layout that enhance product visibility and creates an inviting stylish, urban vibe suited to its Soho location.
In 1974, Erling Persson merged the two stores to form Hennes & Mauritz. Hennes & Mauritz quickly expanded its business, and by the mid 1980's the names were dropped to form a hand written H&M monogram logo. This is another example of why it's best to opt for simplicity when creating your brand image.
Converting a cinema into a fashion boutique
At Zara’s Corso Vittorio Emanuele store in Milan, the contemporary interior design highlights a sleek, minimalist look with sophisticated bespoke lighting that emphasises the merchandise to merge classic Milanese elegance.
The Zara brand logo has undergone several subtle yet impactful changes over the years, reflecting its growth and evolving brand identity. Initially, the logo featured a classic serif typeface with a traditional and elegant feel. The most notable update came in 2019, when Zara introduced a more condensed serif typeface with overlapping letters, giving the logo a bold and contemporary look. This change aimed to reflect the brand's dynamic approach to fashion and its commitment to staying at the forefront of modern retail design.
Upscale the shopping vibe
Banana Republic’s Mall of Millenia, Los Angeles, showcases a modern, sophisticated interior design with clean lines, warm neutral tones, feature lighting, sleek fixtures, and premium materials, creating a timeless, upscale shopping atmosphere.
The Banana Republic brand logo has evolved significantly to mirror the brand’s transformation from a quirky, safari-themed retailer to a sophisticated, modern fashion label. In its early years, the logo featured hand-drawn, whimsical imagery and typography that emphasized its original travel and adventure-inspired aesthetic.
As the brand shifted focus under Gap Inc. ownership, the logo transitioned to a clean, minimalist design, with sleek sans-serif and serif fonts emphasizing elegance and luxury. This evolution reflects Banana Republic's repositioning as a contemporary, high-quality fashion retailer while maintaining a timeless and approachable brand identity.
The branding seamlessly integrates with the store’s design, emphasizing a casual, trend-forward vibe
Pull & Bear Retail Store Interior Design, Gran Via, Madrid. The interior design combines industrial and urban aesthetics with modern elements, featuring raw materials like exposed brick and wood, complemented by vibrant lighting and interactive digital displays. The store layout is open and inviting, encouraging exploration and fostering a relaxed, social shopping experience.
