MoneySavingExpert (MSE), the consumer advice site founded by Martin Lewis, has issued a warning to fashion shoppers planning to buy from Zara before heading on holiday. The website shared a tip for those traveling to Europe this summer, suggesting that waiting to shop abroad could lead to significant savings.
In a post on Facebook and Instagram, an MSE team member explained that holidaymakers visiting Spain, Greece, France, or Italy might find better deals by purchasing Zara items locally rather than in the UK. The post read: 'Heading to Spain, Greece, France or Italy this summer? Or know someone who is? If you were planning on raiding the rails at Zara, hold off until you get there – and leave some space in your suitcase!'
Why shopping abroad saves money
The MSE expert elaborated in the video: 'Here's a trick that could save you serious money at Zara.' She noted that Zara items are often much cheaper in its native Spain and in Greece, and slightly cheaper in France and Italy. 'So if you're heading to these places on holiday, check Zara's international websites to see if the clothes you want are cheaper abroad. Often the Euros price is less than the Pounds price before you even take into account the exchange rate, which makes it even cheaper. But only buy the things you're going to get anyway. And who knows? The savings might even cover the cost of the flight.'
The advice resonated with social media users, with one commenting: 'Omg this was definitely not the case in the past! I used to try things on in Italy when on holiday and order online for delivery in the UK good spot!'
Martin Lewis previously highlighted the trick
Martin Lewis himself had pointed out this money-saving strategy in a 2025 blog post. He described finding a jacket that was so much more expensive in the UK that it would have been cheaper to fly to Spain to buy it. He wrote: 'Doing only a touch of research, I found a Ryanair flight to Santander in Spain (not the bank), for £42 return (hand luggage only). So it would actually be cheaper to jump on a plane to Spain and buy the jacket there.'
Lewis added a note of caution: 'Of course, I'm using some journalistic licence here to prove a point. You'd obviously need to get to and from the airport and may want a hotel. Yet if you're a Zara fetishist and are stocking up for yourself and your family (and perhaps taking orders for friends too), the economics could work (do think about the environment too, though).'
