Inditex Reports Record 6.22 Billion Euro Profit

Inditex, the Spanish fast-fashion giant behind Zara and other popular brands, reported record annual profits for the third consecutive year, alongside a robust start to its first quarter, signaling sustained demand despite economic headwinds.

The company announced Wednesday that net income for the fiscal year ending January 31 reached 6.22 billion euros, a 6 percent increase from the previous year's record of 5.9 billion euros. Total sales rose 3.2 percent to 39.9 billion euros, driven by strong performance across all brands and regions in constant currency terms. Online sales grew 4.8 percent, contributing to overall gains. In the fourth quarter, which includes the holiday shopping season, sales increased 3.9 percent to 11.66 billion euros, though the figure fell short of analyst expectations due to unfavorable currency fluctuations from a stronger euro against the U.S. dollar.

Early results from the new fiscal year further bolstered optimism. Between February 1 and March 8, store and online sales climbed 9 percent year-over-year in constant currency, meeting analyst forecasts and aligning with growth estimates of 8 to 12 percent. This uptick occurred even as consumer spending...