I used to be afraid to shop online. I had the same fears and anxieties about shopping for clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, and beauty products online as everyone who still refuses to give in to it:

What if it’s the wrong size?
What if it’s my size but I don’t like the fit?
What if it looks nice in photos but I don’t like the feel and quality of the material?
What if I don’t like it but already paid for it with my credit card, can I return it?
I don’t want to put my credit card details. Can I pay in cash?
Will I be forced to pay for it if I don’t like it?
Etc. Etc.

But, it’s part of my job as a lifestyle blogger to try things myself before I write about them so I can give you, my dear readers, an accurate account of my experience. So when I was invited to the opening of the Zalora Pop-Up Store last Wednesday, June 17, I knew I had to get over my online shopping phobia for at least one day and try online shopping at least once.

I got my whole outfit online on Zalora: Wrap Blouse, V Bangle, Black and Blue Abstract Printed Pencil Skirt, Platform Wedges with Lace Details, all from Zalora’s in-house label.

That’s actually the very reason Zalora Philippines decided to open its first Pop-Up Store in Shangri-La Plaza. Recognized as the very first digital pop-up store in the country, it hopes to bridge the gap between the physical shopping we are used to and online shopping, easing us into the latter. This pop-up store is specifically for people like you and me who have yet to shed their doubts and discover the wonderful world of online shopping.

“Through this initiative, we hope to widen our customer reach, educate them on the benefits of online shopping, and dress them in the latest fashion trends, in the quickest and most convenient way possible,” said Co-Founder and CEO of Zalora Philippines Paulo Campos during the opening.

The Zalora Pop-Up Store is definitely a one-of-a-kind shopping experience you have to try while you can: It’s only available for a limited time from now until September 15. Occupying a total space of 235 square meters, it looks like your typical outlet, with clothing racks, mannequins, and changing rooms. Yes, changing rooms: Besides seeing and touching the apparel, you can actually fit them. Click on a thumbnail to launch the gallery of some items you can find on the store as of this writing:

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Check out more of these summer boho pieces with the Endless Summer video produced by ZALORA:

Zalora filled the store racks with well curated clothing and accessories—just a small fraction of their extensive collection of top international and local brands and home-grown fashion boutiques. Zalora’s in-house brands, as well as Nike (the first time the brand has partnered with a Zalora pop-up store anywhere in Asia Pacific where the company has presence) and Sunnies Studios, are available in the pop-up store. There are collections for both men and women, which will reportedly be updated at least every two weeks.

There are computer stations where you will be given access to their extensive catalogue, similar to what you can find online, but with the added benefit of being able to see, touch, and fit the products you want before you decide to make a purchase.

And when you’re ready to make that purchase, you’ll notice that there’s not a single cash register anywhere, because what makes this store unique is that all transactions will be done ONLINE using tablets, phones, and laptops displayed throughout the space. This is exactly how you would do it on the website or mobile app (yes, I tried online shopping both at the pop-up store and on the website while at home), except that in the store, there are very helpful attendants to guide you through the process, especially if you’re an online shopping newbie like me.

There was a fashion show at the pop-up store opening to showcase Zalora’s latest collection.

The other really cool part? Once you have chosen and paid for an item, it will be delivered right to your doorstep within 1-3 business days (in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Zamboanga & Davao; or 5-7 business days for Provincial Areas). This eliminates the hassles of lugging around a shopping bag (or bags) around the mall with every shopping trip.

The Zalora Pop-Up Store gives us the best of both worlds: the security of our comfort zone, AKA traditional shopping, and the ease and convenience of—and consequently confidence in—online shopping in one innovative venue. This way, we are able to familiarize ourselves with the products of Zalora. So, there I was on opening day of the pop-up store, trying on as many pieces from Zalora’s in-house brands (I tried on items from the Zalora and Something Borrowed labels), familiarizing myself with their sizes and which ones fit me best.

When I got home from the event, I immediately went on the site to shop other pieces from the Zalora label and Something Borrowed, more confident now because I’ve already tried on several pieces from their brand. It was that effective on me! I’m now cured of my online shopping phobia and well on my way to getting addicted to online shopping (GULP) because of the ease of use and convenience. And, I already got my online orders, both from the pop-up store and from the comforts of my home, from last Wednesday as of today, Friday!

Using the same platform as their website, you can expect the same shopping experience from Zalora Philippines whether through a gadget or in the pop-up store. And what’s awesome for subscribers of the number one mobile brand Globe Telecom is we have access to Zalora’s online shopping portal on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, where we can choose from over 65,000 products to satisfy our fashion fix. It’s like having a fashion shop in our pockets!

Through a partnership between Zalora and Globe, Mobile and Tattoo postpaid customers can enjoy unlimited access to Zalora and other e-commerce sites for only P299 a month by availing of the Shopping Bundle, one of the many lifestyle bundles that can be added to your mobile or on-the-go broadband postpaid plan. (Learn more about Globe’s myLifestyle post-paid plans in my blog post here.) I heard there might also be a Zalora discount exclusive to Globe subscribers—watch this page for more updates on that!

Here’s a closer look at the details of the Zalora pieces I wore to the opening of the pop-up store:

Other perks of shopping on Zalora, be it in the pop-up store, the website, or the app, include 100-day free returns, speedy deliveries as fast as three hours in some markets, free delivery over P999, and multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery (my favorite because I just don’t like entering my bank details online, sorry), credit card, or PayPal. They even have a rewards system, awesome sales and regular discounts, coupons, and the like!

The ZALORA Pop-Up Store is located on the 5th floor of Shangri-La Plaza (Main Wing), EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City and will be open until September 15, 2015.

For more details on the new Globe myLifestyle Plan or Tattoo GoSURF plans, visit globe.com.ph/mylifestyleplan or tattoo.globe.com.ph or visit the Globe Store nearest you.

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