Spanish fashion retailer, the Inditex Group registered net sales growth of 5% in the first quarter of 2019 (February 1-April 30) to reach a new record of €5.93 billion, driven by the ongoing digital transformation of its integrated store and online sales platform.
So far in 2019, Zara has launched its integrated store and online platform in Brazil, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Indonesia, Israel, Serbia, UAE and Saudi Arabia. going forward, Zara is planning to launch online sales in South Africa, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Colombia, the Philippines and Ukraine. Uterqüe launched its online platform in Mexico. Pull&Bear inaugurated its online store in the US and six of the group’s chains opened their worldwide online stores. Further, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, Zara Home, Oysho and Uterqüe have added more than 100 new markets where customers can now purchase their latest collections online.
In parallel, during the first quarter, the Inditex Group also continued to open new stores in 23 different markets. Among the highlight stores are the Zara store opened in Hudson Yards, New York, newly opened stores on Rue Jean de Rouiffe in Cannes, France and at Time World Mall in Daejeon, South Korea.
Massimo Dutti also opened high-profile stores, like the one on calle Vara de Rey in Ibiza, which stands out for its Scan & Shop technology and its Click & Collect service. That store also features the new Style Advisor and Express Alterations services, with same-day collection or delivery in three hours.
Along with Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Pull&Bear and Zara Home also opened stores during the quarter. All these new stores are fitted with the latest customer-oriented technology and are eco-efficient.
According to Pablo Isla, chairman and CEO, Inditex Group, these figures demonstrate “the solidity of the company’s model, whose profitability and cash flow generation continues to grow owing to the Group’s commitment to customer-driven quality fashion.” He also spoke about the importance of the “strong momentum in the digital transformation of the integrated store and online sales platform,” whose reach was extended this quarter to significant markets such as the UAE, Brazil, Indonesia and Morocco, “and sustainability as a key pillar of the company’s strategy.”