A pre-holiday shopping trip is a ritual for many to ensure they are looking their best while strolling the streets of popular tourist hot spots.
But money-saving expert Martin Lewis has a clear message for fans of the retail outlet Zara: if you’re going to Europe, delay shopping there until after you fly or sail.
The Spanish chain opened in 1975, selling high street versions of designer styles.
It arrived in the UK in 1998 and has boomed since its international expansion, with 1,830 shops in more than 79 countries.
With Zara getting new designs delivered twice a week to ensure stock rarely has a chance to stay the same, it has become a staple of most British high streets.
Save money on holiday clothes in Zara
Martin Lewis has driven home to savvy shoppers that by delaying their spending spree until their arrival in western Europe, they could save themselves a hefty amount in Zara.
Being a Spanish company, Zara clothes can have lower price tags in the country. Some items on the pegs can be as much as £10 cheaper there than in Britain.
But it is not only Spanish tourists who could benefit - Zara in Portugal, Greece and France can often be cheaper than those on UK high streets.
Giving advice on BBC Radio 5Live’s Consumer Team with Martin Lewis programme, the journalist said: “It is dead simple - don't buy anything from Zara if you're planning to go to Europe.
“This isn't because something's going to happen to you. It's just very simply that Zara sells clothes in Europe far cheaper than here, especially in Spain, Portugal and Greece.
“And best of all, the Spanish website, you can check the Spanish website in an English language version.
“So if you have stuff you want from Zara, get the name then go to the Spanish website and you can see the price.”
How much can you save by shopping at Zara in Europe?
It will depend what country you are in as to how much you can save.
But Lewis points out that thrifty shopping at a Zara in somewhere like Madrid could produce a saving that could be big enough to pay for the flight out there.
During the programme, the consumer champion put his statement to the test by comparing the price of a woman’s dress from Zara and its cost across the continent.
UK shoppers are being charged £49.99 for the item but Spanish Zara hunters can get it for 39 euros - roughly £14 cheaper than in Britain.
The dress is priced at 49 euros (£41) in France and Italy which, while pricier than Spain, is still a saving of nearly £9.
A men's white linen-blend suit blazer that Lewis found for £109 in UK Zara retails for 90 euros in Spain - a remarkable £34 saving.
Lewis told listeners: “If you were to buy your Zara shopping for the year when you go there - I'm not encouraging you to do it, but it is if you do it anyway - it could actually often cover the cost of the flight.
“So if you're going to those places, Zara is far cheaper, especially in Spain and Portugal which is its home territory.”
