The Inditex Group’s net sales rose by 7% in its 2009 fiscal year (1 February 2009 to 31 January 2010) from a year earlier, to 11,084 million euros. In local currencies, net sales rose 9% from 2008. The Group maintained its like-for-like sales in FY2009, demonstrating the flexibility of its business model.

Net income amounted to 1,314 million euros, vs. 1,253 million euros a year earlier, an increase of 5%. 

Key figures

Financial figures              (in million euros)	2009	2008	09/08
Net sales	11,084	10,407	7%
Net sales outside of Spain	68%	66%
Gross profit Gross margin	6,328 57.1%	5,914 56.8%	7% 27 bp
EBITDA EBITDA margin	2,374 21.4%	2,187 21.0%	9%
EBIT EBIT margin	1,729 15.6%	1,609 15.5%	7%
Net income Net income margin	1,314 11.9%	1,253 12.0%	5%

Expansion  

Inditex in 2009 registered 343 net openings, bringing the Group's retail network to 4,607 stores in 74 countries as of 31 January 2010. 

In keeping with the company’s strategy, 98% of new stores were in international markets. Inditex opened stores in 46 countries in 2009, expanding its retail footprint across all geographic regions, particularly Europe and Asia. 

The Group increased its retail network in all of Europe's major markets, with noteworthy growth in countries such as Russia (37 new stores) and Poland (34). In Asia, Inditex continued its strategic push into the region’s top three markets, which posted significant growth, with 41 new stores in China, 12 in South Korea and 10 in Japan.

Syria in 2009 became the latest new market to land on the Inditex global store map, with openings by Zara, Pull and Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Stradivarius.

Highlights among store openings in 2009 were a Zara store in Tokyo's Shibuya neighbourhood, which brought the number of Zara stores in Japan to 50; a flagship Zara on Chicago's Michigan Avenue —within the Magnificent Mile— and a Zara store on Beijing’s Wangfujing Street, one of the most famous shopping streets in all of Mainland China.

Other flagship stores launched in 2009 include a Pull and Bear on London’s Oxford Street; a Bershka on Saint Petersburg’s Nevsky Prospekt; Stradivarius’ store No. 500 in Athens' Kolonaki shopping area; and the first Massimo Dutti establishment in Beijing, in the Solana shopping district.

Worthy of particular note is a new Zara and Zara Home store in Barcelona’s Portal de l’Angel, the first in Europe to obtain LEED environmental certification, which puts the Group at the cutting edge of the progress of research into eco–efficient store environments as part of its Environmental Strategic Plan. The result of this project is a store that consumes 30% less energy, saves 50% more water and emits 150 tonnes less CO2 per year than a conventional location.

The goal of the agreement is to promote the strategic positioning of UDC through activities associated to social responsibility, with the help of the experience gained by Inditex in this field.

Among the scheduled activities are: conducting research and studies; organising training activities and meetings with experts; exchanging information, knowledge and experiences; or, entering into agreements with other universities, institutions or companies, as well as the setting in train of specific programs on social action and environmental sustainability.

Both Inditex and UDC stress the special significance and the strategic relevance of Corporate Social Responsibility both for the corporate world and the society in general, and, specifically for the University. UDC wishes to delve deeper in this strategy by implementing its own social responsibility model allowing it to take a step forward in its transparency policy, management, ethical values and social and environmental commitment.

Further to the entry of Uterqüe into the Russian market, all the fashion concepts of Inditex have stores in the country, one of the most relevant markets for the Group, considering the relevant weight of retailers and the warm welcome to the fashion offers of each format. Inditex launched its first store in Russia in 2003. The Group has currently 139 stores in some of the major cities in the country.

]]> Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:00:22 +0100 http://www.inditex.com/en/press/other_news/extend/00000778 http://www.inditex.com/en/press/other_news/extend/00000778 Inditex has signed an agreement with the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Entreculturas and Cáritas Española to launch its aid project for reconstruction in Haiti, an effort financed by Inditex’s donation of 2 million euros. The project focuses on supporting the most vulnerable groups of people in Haiti, both in the short term –and particularly—in the medium and long term, in the specific areas in which this assistance is most needed.

Inditex has worked with both Cáritas and Entreculturas on previous projects for social investment in humanitarian crisis situations. Thanks to this joint cooperation and the experience the three parties drew from previous efforts, a specialised methodology was developed for planning the aid effort in Haiti. Its primary purpose is to select the most appropriate courses of action, calculate costs and required supplies and draw up a timeline for the programme, with the goal of achieving the utmost efficiency during project rollout. 

Both groups have longstanding experience in Haiti. They have stable support infrastructure in place in the island nation through which they have carried out humanitarian assistance activities for many years. 

Cáritas’ involvement is especially noteworthy, as the organization has worked in Haiti for more than 15 years and currently has 10 diocesan headquarters from which it has seized the initiative to help with the Haitian reconstruction effort. Indeed, the day after the disaster, Cáritas volunteers were already at work tending to victims at 200 hospitals. In addition, the group has established connection points in border provinces in the Dominican Republic through which it is able to deliver drinking water and sustainable agriculture products to Haiti. Cáritas is a confederation of 162 Catholic organisations dedicated to charity, community development and social services activities, and carries out aid projects in more than 200 countries and territories.

Meanwhile, Entreculturas, with which Inditex frequently works, is another of the most active NGOs in the Haitian reconstruction effort in the aftermath of the earthquake, via Entreculturas’ partner organisations Fe y Alegría and the Jesuit Refugee Service. From Santo Domingo in the neighbouring Dominican Republic, these organisations have established a network for getting aid to earthquake survivors. The groups are using what remains of a Jesuit novitiate building as a distribution hub for the aid they are delivering throughout Haiti. In its own words, Entreculturas is an NGO sponsored by the Jesuit religious order which promotes access to education among the world's most disadvantaged people as a means for encouraging social change, furthering justice and fostering cross-cultural understanding.  

Since the tragedy first struck, Inditex has been in contact with these organisations to identify the country’s most pressing needs and the areas in which Inditex’s aid would be most useful, to enable the company to direct funds to specific projects within a matter of days. In this manner, Inditex aims to finance specific and direct relief projects in conjunction with organisations of proven effectiveness with which it has previously worked on similar programmes.

The corporation’s 2-million-euro contribution is in addition to the numerous voluntary donations individual employees worldwide have sent to a bank account specifically opened for this purpose. These donations will be channelled to the same projects funded by the corporate contribution.

The way it works is very simple: in the case of Zara app, after selecting the section of the store that you wish to visit –Women, Men, Youth or Kids-, the user can choose between four big areas: “What’s new”, which includes the latest garments that are arriving in the stores; “Collection”, where you can see all the garments that are available in the store at any moment; “Catalogue”, with the campaign images which summarise the spirit of the season; and “Look Book”, a section that is regularly refreshed with ideas for combining Zara articles, offering clues so that each customer can find the image that most satisfies him or her.

In the case of Zara Home app, where Zara Home Kids has its own area, the user can choose between the sections “What’s new”, which displays latest products arriving in the stores; “Showroom”, presenting the current collection; “Catalogue”, with the campaign images; and “Gift Ideas”, with Zara Home suggestions for a perfect present.

The design is characterised by simplicity and clarity in the presentation and contents, with the objective of customers getting to know at any moment what fashion items they can find in Zara and Zara Home stores, which are always on the alert for the latest trends.  

Visit: http://www.inditex.com/appm/microsite_en.html

]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:18:37 +0100 http://www.inditex.com/en/press/other_news/extend/00000772 http://www.inditex.com/en/press/other_news/extend/00000772 The format of the Inditex Group has entered the Mexican market with the opening of its first store, located in Antara Polanco mall, the most exclusive commercial centre in Mexico DF, where Inditex has an important commercial presence. With this opening Uterqüe overcome the 50 stores located in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Cyprus, Qatar, Kuwait and Arab Emirates.

Uterqüe seized the opportunity of its first opening in Mexico to showcase its Party collection. Black joins forces with bold tones such as fuchsia, and geometric bracelets and bangles are encrusted with strass and metallic trim. Pendants come in bright colours and bib necklaces in all shapes and styles. Footwear including stiletto heels, satin and velvet shoes with bows as well as shoe-boots, complete the commercial party offer of the format.

Nowadays Inditex has 192 stores in Mexico: 48 Zara’ stores, 41 Bershka’ stores, 32 shops of Pull and Bear, 29 Oysho’ stores, 28 shops of Massimo Dutti and 13 Zara Home’ stores.

]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:42:22 +0100 http://www.inditex.com/en/press/other_news/extend/00000770 http://www.inditex.com/en/press/other_news/extend/00000770 Sales in local currencies rose by 8% from the same period a year earlier Store sales in local currencies climbed by 9% between August 1st and December 6th Nine-month net income totalled 831 million euros, while EBITDA rose to 1,555 million euros By 31 October, Inditex had 4,530 stores in 73 countries, 266 more than at the beginning of the year Highlights included openings in Asia, where Inditex launched 90 new stores in the first nine months of 2009

Inditex increased its year-on-year net sales by 6% in the first nine months of its 2009 fiscal year – which runs from February 1st to October 31st – to 7,759 million euros. Sales in local currencies rose by 8%. Net income totalled 831 million euros.

The retailer launched 266 new stores in the first nine months, bringing the Group’s total number of stores to 4,530 at the end of October. Key highlights for the period included openings in Asian markets, with 90 new establishments inaugurated by October 31st.

These store openings reflect the strategic importance of Asian markets for the Group and underscore a year of robust growth in China, Japan and South Korea.  High points of store launches so far this year include flagship locations in Japan and mainland China.   

In Japan, Zara now has a total of 50 stores, including a second flagship location in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, which is a must-see global fashion destination. Prior to this opening, Zara had already welcomed shoppers at another upscale store in Shibuya. Zara thus enhances its excellent retail presence in Tokyo’s four key shopping areas: the two aforementioned flagship stores in Shibuya, two each in Ginza and Shinjuku, and one in Harajuku.  

Meanwhile, in Beijing the Group celebrated the opening of a flagship location in one of the Chinese capital’s busiest shopping hubs. The store, which opened its doors on the pedestrian Wangfujing Street, brings the Group’s number of stores in China to more than 60. The company’s firm commitment to expansion in the Chinese fashion market is reflected in its decision to locate shops not only in Beijing and Shanghai but also in emerging cities such as Harbin, Dalian, Qingdao, Changchun and Kunming.

Store sales in local currencies rose 9% between August 1st and December 6th.

Key figures (first nine months of 2009)
(millions of euros)	Third Quarter 2009	Third Quarter 2008	% change 09/08	% change in local currencies
Net sales	7,759	7,353	6%	8%
Gross profit      Gross margin	4,430 57.1%	4,235 57.6%	5%
EBITDA	1,555	1,545	1%
EBIT	1,089	1,132	-4%
Net income	831	843	-1%

LEED Certification

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an independent environmental certifying system for eco-efficient buildings set up by US Green Building Council, a non profit organisation based in Washington (US), which fosters a sustainable future through the construction of "green" buildings and their subsequentl sustainable maintenance.

]]> Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:19:43 +0100 http://www.inditex.com/en/press/other_news/extend/00000765 http://www.inditex.com/en/press/other_news/extend/00000765 A new Zara store opens today in the heart of Tokyo's Shibuya district, one of the world's leading shopping destinations, bringing Zara’s number of outlets in Japan to 50. The store, spread over five floors and 1,500 m2 of retail space, features a spectacular façade designed by the Zara Architecture Studio that is sure to become a compelling draw for the brand in one of the world’s busiest hubs for shopping traffic.

Growth of Zara's retail footprint in Japan 

Año	Nº de tiendas	Nuevas ciudades
1998	1	Tokio
1999	2	Osaka
2000	5	Yokohama, Fukuoka, Chiba
2001	6
2002	7
2003	9
2004	12	Kyoto, Nagoya
2005	18	Hiroshima, Sapporo
2006	23	Sendai, Kawasaki
2007	29	Kawaguchi, Natori, Kanazawa
2008	40	Kobe, Utsunomiya, Matsuyama, Kashihara, Koshigaya
2009	50	Amagasaki, Kawagoe, Shizouka, Kamiotai, Misato

Inditex has accelerated its Zara expansion in Japan in recent years, as the retailer opens stores in busy shopping areas in Tokyo and other cities throughout the country. Zara opened five shops in 2006, six in 2007, 11 in 2008 and 10 in 2009. As a result, in the past three years the Group has doubled the Zara network in Japan from 23 establishments in early 2007 to the current 50 stores. The retailer’s growth in Japan will continue at a rapid clip in coming years.

Retail markets in Japan, China and Korea are Inditex's priority targets for expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. The region constitutes a very important strategic priority for Inditex: when combined, its countries represent the world’s No. 1 market by population, and the region's growth is set to outpace that of the rest of the world in coming years. Consumer spending is on the rise, and the population has an especially acute interest in fashion. Inditex has welcomed shoppers in the Asia-Pacific region since 1998, when Zara opened its first Japanese store.

The Group opened its first Hong Kong establishment in 2004, while Zara disembarked on mainland China in 2006 with a flagship Shanghai location. The Group now has 61 shops throughout China through Inditex retailers such as Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Pull and Bear. Zara opened its first stores in Korea last year, and now operates 17 outlets there.

In addition to these markets, the Group has extended its retail network to shoppers in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Inditex plans to open the first Zara stores in India in 2010. 

Inditex’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region 

Países	Zara	Pull and Bear	Massimo Dutti	Bershka	Nº de tiendas
China	41	3	6	11	61
Japón	50				50
Corea	17				17
Singapur	6	3	4	1	14
Indonesia	8	2	3		13
Malasia	5	2	4		11
Filipinas	6		1		7
Tailandia	5		2		7
Nº de tiendas	138	10	20	12	180