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Inditex

Spanish multinational clothing company

Inditex, headquartered in Arteixo, Spain, is the world's largest fast fashion group with over 7,200 stores in 93 markets. Its flagship brand is Zara, along with other brands like Bershka and Massimo Dutti. The company's business model focuses on quick response to market demands, enabling it to replenish stores with new products weekly.

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Timeline

Industria de Diseño Textil SA Founded

Industria de Diseño Textil SA, commonly known as Inditex, was founded in 272. It is a Spanish multinational company specializing in fast fashion.

Foundation of Industria de Diseño Textil SA

Industria de Diseño Textil SA, commonly known as Inditex, was founded by Amancio Ortega Gaona in 1963 in A Coruna, Spain. The company is a major player in the textile industry, involved in all stages of the fashion process and known for its popular brands like Zara, Pull and Bear, and Massimo Dutti.

Zara was founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera as a family business in the northern part of Spain, downtown Galicia. The first store featured low-priced, trendy, high-end clothing and fashion lookalike items.

José María Castellano becomes managing director of Zara

In 1984, José María Castellano, a computer specialist, was appointed as the general manager of Zara by Amancio Ortega.

Founding of Inditex

Inditex, the parent company of popular fast fashion brands like Zara and Bershka, was founded in 1985 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera in Arteixo, Galicia, Spain.

Inditex Global Expansion

In 1988, Inditex, the world's largest fast fashion group, started its global expansion from the textile company Zara.

Inditex enters U.S. market

In 1989, Inditex expanded its operations to the United States after entering Portugal the previous year.

Launch of Shoe Collection for Children

The company introduces its own Tempe shoe collection in the children's department of Zara store, expanding into France.

Foundation of Pull & Bear and Acquisition of Massimo Dutti

Ortega establishes Pull & Bear, a brand specializing in casual men's clothing, and Inditex acquires a 65% stake in Massimo Dutti, later increasing it to 100% in 1996.

Inditex expands to Mexico

Inditex continued its global expansion by entering the Mexican market in 1992.

Foundation of Lefties

Inditex establishes Lefties to sell Zara clothes, with stores opening in various countries including Mexico, Greece, Belgium, Sweden, Malta, Cyprus, Norway, and Israel in subsequent years.

Inditex opens stores in Belgium and Sweden

Inditex established its presence in Belgium and Sweden by opening stores in 1994.

Purchase of Remaining Massimo Dutti Shares

In 1995, Inditex bought the remaining shares of Massimo Dutti and expanded the brand to include a women's line.

Launch of Bershka brand

In 1998, the Bershka brand was introduced, focusing on urban and trendy fashion. It marked the expansion of the Inditex Group into new markets.

Acquisition of Stradivarius

In 1999, Inditex acquired Stradivarius, a company specializing in young women's fashion. This acquisition further strengthened the group's presence in the fashion market.

Inditex Headquarters Relocation

In 2000 and 2001, Inditex relocated its headquarters to the same hometown, signaling a new chapter in its growth and development.

Inditex becomes publicly traded

In May 2001, Inditex transitioned into a publicly traded company with a valuation of USD $8 billion (€9 billion at the time).

Opening of Second Logistics Center in Zaragoza

Inditex opens a second European logistics center in Zaragoza, Spain.

Launch of Zara Home brand

Inditex launches the Zara Home brand, offering home accessories like bedding, cutlery, and glassware. The company expands its global presence to Russia, Slovakia, and Malaysia.

Opening of 2000th store in Hong Kong

In 2004, Inditex reached a milestone by opening its 2,000th store in Hong Kong, solidifying its global presence in 56 countries including Latvia, Hungary, and Panama.

Leadership Change at Zara

In 2005, Amancio Ortega passed the Chairman title to Pablo Isla, setting the stage for potential succession by his daughter Marta Ortega. This marked a significant shift in Zara's leadership.

Inditex wins Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award

In 2006, Inditex was honored with the Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award for its innovative use of information technology to significantly reduce the time required to introduce new products from design to store shelves.

Beginning of Inditex's eCommerce journey

In 2007, Inditex started its eCommerce journey, initially being late to the online sales game. With a steady approach and commitment to an omnichannel strategy, the Spanish fashion giant integrated the online channel into its main markets over a decade.

Opening of 4,000th store by Inditex in Tokyo

On 22 September 2008, Inditex inaugurated its 4,000th store in Ginza, Tokyo, a renowned shopping district globally.

Inditex Continues Growth

In 2009, Inditex continues its expansion by opening more stores worldwide, reaching a total of 573 stores in 73 countries. The company has doubled in size over the past four years.

Zara's Online Debut

In September 2010, Zara, the largest chain in the Inditex group, started selling online after 35 years since the opening of its first physical store. By the end of the year, it expanded its online presence to 16 European markets.

Opening of First Zara Flagship in Australia

On April 20, 2011, the first Zara flagship store opened in Australia, marking the Inditex group's presence on five continents and in 86 countries.

Zara.cn launches in China

On September 5, 2012, Zara's online platform, zara.cn, starts operating in China, a market known for its massive online sales and continuously growing customer base.

Inditex Apparel/Footwear Retail Expansion to Spain

On July 11, 2013, Inditex, a major apparel and footwear retail company, expanded its operations to Spain.

RFID Technology Implementation

Zara introduced RFID technology in its stores in 2014, revolutionizing inventory management. This innovation allowed for efficient tracking of products and streamlined operations.

Zara opens store on Tmall platform in China

In October 2015, Zara, a part of the Inditex group, launched its own store on the Tmall platform in China. This move aimed to expand its presence in the Chinese market, which is known for its large number of online buyers and diverse range of brands.

Child Labor Controversy in Turkey

In 2016, BBC News reported evidence of child labor in Turkish factories linked to Zara. The company faced scrutiny and pledged to address the issue, highlighting the challenges in supply chain management.

Unpaid Wages Issue in Turkey

In November 2017, Zara faced criticism for unpaid wages in Turkey, attributed to a third-party manufacturer. The incident underscored the complexities of global supply chains and labor practices.

Inditex Becomes World's Largest Fashion Company

By 2019, Inditex secures its position as the largest fashion company globally based on sales figures.

Inditex becomes the leading clothing company

Inditex is recognized as the world's largest fashion distributor with over 7,300 stores in 93 countries. The company, founded by a man from a humble background, has grown to include numerous companies involved in textile and fashion design, manufacturing, and distribution.

Óscar García Maceiras Joins Inditex

Óscar García Maceiras joined Inditex in March 2021 and will be appointed CEO in April 2022, overseeing the daily business operations.

Closure of Inditex Stores in Venezuela

In May 2021, Inditex announced the closure of all its stores in Venezuela as part of a review of its agreement with its local partner Phoenix World Trade.

Marta Ortega's First Interview

Marta Ortega, the incoming chair of Inditex, granted her first interview with the Wall Street Journal in August 2021, showing a more open approach to media.

Mara Becomes CEO of Inditex

Amancio Ortega's daughter, Mara, takes over as the CEO of Inditex in April.

Sales and Profit Increase for Inditex

In the three months to 30 April 2023, Inditex reported a 13% increase in sales to £6.54 billion and a 14% rise in profit to £3.96 billion.

Inditex aims for 30% online sales

Inditex plans to increase its online sales to account for more than 30% of its total sales by 2024, attributing the return to 'normality' to a decrease in demand.

End of the Timeline
Inditex

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