Menu
June 7, 2023 : Inditex, the Spanish parent company of popular fast fashion brand Zara, experienced a strong performance in the quarter ending April, leading to a 15% increase in global net revenue to €7.6 billion ($8.1 billion) on a like-for-like basis. Operating income also surged by 43% to €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion). The robust sales growth outpaced rising operating costs, maintaining healthy margins, and indicating a stable full-year gross margin of around 60%. As a result, investor confidence soared, leading to a sharp 7% rise in Inditex’s stock.
Pippa Stephens, senior apparel analyst at GlobalData, praised Inditex’s ability to remain a top choice among consumers seeking the latest fashion trends, allowing the company to outperform competitors. Despite facing inflationary pressures in Europe and the United States, Inditex achieved growth in all markets, demonstrating the desirability of its offerings even in challenging economic climates.
The strong performance has continued into May and June, with constant currency revenue increasing by 16% compared to the same period last year. Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, highlighted the impressive start to the year for Zara’s parent company, with other fashion brands under Inditex, such as Pull&Bear, Bershka, and Stradivarius, also experiencing increased sales as consumers eagerly purchased their spring/summer collections.
Inditex’s strategy involves focusing on physical stores while selectively closing smaller locations to concentrate on larger, high-volume units in prime locations. During the quarter, the company opened 17 new stores, including its first location in Cambodia. Although the store count decreased from over 6,400 to 5,801, Zara alone accounts for 1,878 stores. The investment in physical locations has helped Inditex better navigate the shift back to in-store shopping following the pandemic.
The latest Zara store openings feature a new design concept, incorporating digitized fitting rooms, self-checkouts, and click-and-collect areas, providing customers with more options and convenience. Zara and Zara Home generate almost 75% of Inditex’s revenue, followed by the Bershka and Stradivarius retail concepts.
While Inditex’s performance remains strong, there is some concern about its price position. The relatively high price point of Inditex’s fashion compared to other high street chains may be a factor if inflation remains high, potentially impacting consumer demand. However, Inditex has also made strides in sustainability, particularly with the Zara Pre-Owned resale platform. After launching in the UK in November 2022, the company plans to expand the service to France, Germany, and Spain by the end of 2023, capitalizing on the growing market for secondhand apparel and appealing to eco-conscious consumers.
