RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • Newsletter
  • Contact & Route
Members' area
  • Log in
  • Become a member
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
    • OVERVIEW EVENTS
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
  • Advertising
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
  • Members’ area
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • Newsletter
  • Contact & Route
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
    • OVERVIEW EVENTS
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
  • Advertising
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
  • Members’ area
Members' area
  • Log in
  • Become a member
thumb
Written by Pauline Neerman
In this article
Share article
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Fashion giants Inditex and H&M broke free from Covid

icon
Fashion15 December, 2021

Inditex, owner of chains like Zara, has achieved record sales in the third quarter: sales were 10 % better compared to 2019, pre-Covid. Eternal rival H&M has also returned to pre-pandemic levels.

 

Back on track

After a year and a half of being in the grip of the Covid crisis, Inditex and H&M Group, the world’s two largest fashion holding companies, can resume their normal growth trajectory. Inditex even set a record for its sales in the third quarter: sales reached 7.4 billion euros, 10 % higher than in the same period of 2019. 

 

At H&M, quarterly sales clocked in at 57 billion Swedish crowns (5.5 billion euros), up 6 % compared to 2019. For the entire fiscal year, which, for H&M, runs from December to the end of November, the Swedish group achieved 199 billion crowns (19 billion euros) in sales, up 6 % compared to 2020. CEO Helena Helmersson herself speaks of a strong recovery, although Covid measures and restrictions are still being felt. 

 

Further revival needed

However, with the fourth quarter seemingly coinciding with a fourth international wave, the recovery may be short-lived. Both fashion giants also understand they need to revive themselves regardless. At Inditex, Marta Ortega, founder Amancio Ortega’s daughter, is taking over as chair of the board, with Óscar García Maceiras as brand-new CEO. 

 

Maceiras strongly believes in the vertically integrated model of Inditex (and H&M), whereby the company controls both the production and distribution of clothes. This would also strengthen the online proposition, as the e-commerce and the physical stores are monitored in the same way and on the same IT platform. This way, both sales channels can be linked seamlessly. Over the nine months leading up to the end of October, Inditex sold 28 % more online compared to 2020 and twice as much as in 2019.

 

A vertically integrated model, however, does not stand in the way of partnerships. For example, H&M just announced another local collaboration with Belgian formula Le Freddie: the Antwerp duo will offer a selection of vintage pieces in H&M stores in Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels in February. Meanwhile, Zara is taking its first steps into the metaverse in collaboration with Korean brand Ader Error: the remarkable capsule collection will exist both virtually and physically.

More on Fashion
See more
  • icon
    Fashion15 May, 2025
    New owner for ailing Foot Locker

    Sports retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods wants to take over its ailing competitor Foot Locker, which is struggling with disappointing figures and impending import tariffs.

  • icon
    Fashion14 May, 2025
    Dior leaks customer data in cyber attack

    Dior is the latest victim in a series of cyber attacks on retailers. On 7 May, the fashion house discovered that an “unauthorised third party” had gained access to a customer database in China.

  • icon
    Fashion13 May, 2025
    Skechers opens first European ‘performance store’ in Ghent

    In Skechers‘ new store concept, Performance stores, the sportswear chain sells a wide range of sportswear and accessories in addition to its classic trainers. The brand has just opened its first such store in Ghent, Belgium, and will soon roll out the concept across Europe.

Events
  • 19
    Jun
    CATEGORY MANAGEMENT CONGRESS 2025
  • 17
    Sep
    CAPTAINS OF RETAIL 2025 – EDITION II
Most read
  • icon
    Fashion7 May, 2025
    Zalando enters Luxembourg market with dedicated webshop and app
  • icon
    Fashion6 May, 2025
    Zalando confirms forecasts after excellent first quarter
  • icon
    Fashion5 May, 2025
    Zara plans world’s biggest store in Antwerp
  • icon
    Leisure13 May, 2025
    Decathlon opens running shop in Bordeaux
Follow RetailDetail
  • socialFacebook
  • socialTwitter
  • socialInstagram
  • sociallinkedIn
footer-logo
RetailDetail, the leading b2b-retailcommunity in the Benelux, keeps retail professionals up-to-date by means of online & offline publications, retail events, inspiring retail hunts and the unique co-creation platform retailhub, where retailers and their suppliers can experience the future of shopping.
RetailDetail Mailing Address:
Kolveniersstraat 7, bus 26 2000 Antwerp
Visiting address:
Stadsfeestzaal – Meir 78 2000 Antwerp
How to reach us:
Directions
© 2025 RetailDetail
general conditions | privacy policy
Contact us About us info@retaildetail.be
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT