I was getting ready for an upcoming trip and wanted to splurge on some new outfits, so we made our way to Zara, eager to browse their latest collection. After I picked out some clothes to try, I headed to the fitting room. Little did I know, my fitting room experience was about to take a dramatic turn. As I tried on some clothes, I couldn’t help but feel like I was being watched. That’s when I noticed the half-inch gap in the curtains, staring me right in the face.

Despite my love for this store, I have always felt anxious in their fitting rooms. If you’ve ever been to Zara’s fitting rooms, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s a struggle we’ve all faced — the inability to fully close those darn curtains.

According to various studies, one's experience in the fitting room is a leading factor in determining whether or not a purchase will be made. In fact, research suggests that a good experience in the fitting room with additional support from a sales assistant could lead to the customer purchasing up to three times as many items in one transaction.

Over the years, Zara has introduced various new features such as the self-checkout kiosks in-store and donation containers, that have allowed for a more seamless shopping experience for users. Yet, customers are still having unpleasant fitting room experiences. From the haunting curtains to the unflattering lighting — everything about the Zara fitting room makes me want to run away from the store.

I started to do some research into the reasons why Zara might be holding onto the curtains. The first and most obvious reason that came to mind was cost. Perhaps replacing all the curtains in every store with a more traditional fitting room system simply wasn’t financially feasible.

Another possibility was that Zara wanted to maintain its brand identity. The elegant curtains could be seen as a part of the store’s signature aesthetic, and changing them might risk alienating some customers who appreciate that look.

But as someone who has experienced firsthand the discomfort of those curtains, I couldn’t help but think that Zara was missing out on a huge opportunity. By investing in a more traditional fitting room system, they could provide customers with a more comfortable and enjoyable shopping experience, which could ultimately lead to increased sales.

I also wondered if Zara was aware of the potential benefits of improving the fitting room experience. While the store clearly values its online sales and flexible returns policy, there’s no guarantee that customers won’t be turned off by a bad fitting room experience and opt to shop elsewhere.

Ultimately, I believe that Zara — and other retailers — should seriously consider investing in improving their fitting room experience. Whether that means ditching the curtains in favor of more traditional doors or incorporating new technology to help customers find the perfect fit, the possibilities are endless. And who knows — maybe someday, we’ll all be able to enjoy the thrill of trying on clothes without the added stress of those pesky curtains.