Inditex is committed to aggressive investment in logistics as its online business grows larger than its physical business

According to the findings presented on Wednesday before the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), Inditex's total sales grew by 10.4% Last year, its sales amounted to 35.947 million euros. Sales through Online channels Of the various brands, it accounted for 25.2% of the total turnover with a value of 9,064 million euros. but, It grew at a faster rate.

specific, Sales attributed to E-Commerce grew by 16% In fiscal year 2023 (between February 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024). It is also a more pronounced growth than that recorded in the previous year – 4% – and higher than the 14% in 2021, when online sales also accounted for 25% of total sales.

Everything at the same time The number of physical Inditex stores has decreased againAs already happened in 2022. As can be seen from the previous table, between January 31, 2023 and the same date in 2024, 123 group stores have disappeared. A slight decrease of just over 2%, but it shows a trend in the strategy of the group based in Arteixo (Galicia).

drop In the number of physical facilities This is common for all brands, except Pull&Bear, which ended the fiscal year with two new stores. Likewise, Inditex continues to set goals to reach new markets through store openings – such as the one opened on February 29 in Uzbekistan – and returning to those that had to close, as happened in Ukraine, where they are already preparing their stores. Back. .

“For some time now, we have been on a program to improve and improve our business presence,” he explained. Oscar Garcia Maceras, CEO of Inditex, in the results presentation on Wednesday. The group's strategy includes “identifying the best locations” to operate in commercial spaces that allow it to display a wide range of its products.

In the past year, Inditex has remained “very active” in terms of improving its physical stores. Specifically, 192 openings, 231 renovations including 84 expansions, and 315 absorption.

[Inditex bate nuevos récord de ventas con 35.947 millones de euros y también de beneficios con 5.381 millones]

What this improvement leads to is a reduction in the number of stores while the total sales area grows. That's by saying, Fewer but bigger stores. Last year, that area grew by 2%, reaching 4,557,170 square metres. However, the CEO points out that “today the development of online sales cannot be explained without taking into account Operational support for physical stores“, which in turn benefits from electronic channels.

Maceras exemplified this strategy in the case of Seville, where they opened a Zara store in Plaza del Duque, with “a very large space” which in turn allows “to absorb some other space, given its surface or location.” “Does not respond to the interests of the group.”We will continue to do absorptions With the aim of creating better spaces,” emphasized the CEO of Inditex.

900 million annually

Inditex announced in the results presentation Ordinary investments worth 1.8 billion EUR in 2024, which will be dedicated to improving its trading space, technological integration and improving its online platforms. But, in addition, the group designed Logistics expansion plan For this year and next year, 900 million will be disbursed each year.

The latest project the textile giant faces before Substantial future growth opportunities.. The goal of this logistics plan is to strengthen the capabilities needed to seize these “strong” growth opportunities in the medium and long term at the global level.

Thus, it is expected Opening of a new distribution center in Zaragoza for ZaraWith an area of ​​286,000 square meters. And also one for Bershka with an area of ​​116,000 square metres, and another for Tempe with an area of ​​141,000 square metres, both in the Valencian Community. In addition, there will be an increase in capacity of 123,000 square meters at the Zara distribution center in Lelystad (Netherlands).