How Zara's Just-in-Time Operations Beat Fast Fashion

In this episode of The Operations Podcast, Lucas and Luna dive into Zara's legendary just-in-time supply chain. They unpack how the Spanish retailer's vertically integrated model—from design to store in two weeks—lets it produce small batches, test demand, and pivot faster than any competitor. Specific numbers include how Zara's inventory turns exceed the industry average by 3x, and why its factories in Galicia keep 50% of production in-house. The hosts also discuss the trade-offs: higher per-unit labour costs, the 2023 logistics hiccup from the Red Sea crisis, and how the fast-fashion model faces sustainability scrutiny. A concrete look at speed as an operational weapon. #Zara #JustInTime #FastFashion #SupplyChain #VerticalIntegration #RetailOperations #Inditex #Logistics #InventoryManagement #AgileManufacturing #Business #OperationsPodcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FashionIndustry #LeanOperations #SpeedToMarket #Sustainability Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo