The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine officially confirms that the brands of Inditex, one of the world’s largest fashion distribution groups, such as Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, and Zara Home, are returning to Ukraine.
“On the instructions of the President of Ukraine, since 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been systematically working with all the leading international brands that left the Ukrainian market due to the outbreak of a full-scale war by the Russian Federation to resume their work in Ukraine. The return of Inditex is the next step after the resumption of the work of McDonald’s, H&M and others,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It is noted that the return of large international companies to the Ukrainian market creates new jobs, provides access to quality goods and services, supports Ukraine’s economy during the war and deepens its integration into the world economy, strengthens the confidence of international business and investors in our country and its victory.
“I am grateful to our partners for supporting these efforts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine continues to work to restore the work of international business in our country and attract new companies,” the ministry added.
Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, ZARA, Zara Home
International retailer Inditex plans to reopen 50 Zara stores in Ukraine that have been closed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Reuters reported citing the Financial Times.
According to the report, the retailer plans to resume operations gradually from the beginning of April. The first to reopen will be 20 stores in shopping centers in Kyiv, including three outlets.
In total, 50 stores are planned to reopen, while 34 outlets located in the south and east of Ukraine will remain closed for now, the article says.
It is noted that Inditex has informed local landlords of its plans to open. “Interfax-Ukraine sent relevant requests to Ukrainian businesses.
The retailer’s plans to resume operations in Ukraine were confirmed to the agency by Dmytro Lashin, CEO of the capital’s Lavina Mall and Blockbuster Mall.
“Yesterday in a telephone conversation we confirmed the opening in April. They will open within a few days in different locations,” he told Interfax-Ukraine.
Inditex, owned by Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega, operates clothing, footwear and accessories stores under the Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home and Uterque brands. At the end of 2022, sales reached 32.6 billion euros (+17.5% compared to 2021). Net profit increased by 27% to €4.1 billion.
Spanish-based Inditex SA, one of the world’s largest clothing retailers, plans to launch online sales of the Zara brand in Ukraine in the fall-winter of 2019, the company said in its report for the first fiscal quarter of 2019 (February 1 – May 30).
“Inditex continues to expand its global, fully integrated store and online platform. Inditex remains very active in differentiating its store database … During the autumn-winter campaign, Zara will launch an online store in South Africa, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Colombia, the Philippines, and Ukraine,” the report says.
As of the end of 2018, nine Zara stores and two Zara Home stores were operating in Ukraine.
Overall, Inditex Group consisted of 65 stores in Ukraine, in particular, such brands as Pull & Bear (14), Massimo Dutti (6), Bershka (14), Stradivarius (12), Oysho (7), and Uterqüe (1).
According to the company’s report, its pretax profit in Ukraine in 2018 amounted to EUR28 million.
Inditex Group has been operating in Ukraine since 2008
