Inditex aims for a total of 100 stores in the UK, deputy chairman and chief executive Jose Maria Castellano has revealed to Retail Week.
The target means that the fashion retailer's store presence here will rise four-fold. The first British Zara store opened four years ago on London's Regent Street. There are now 24, and five Massimo Dutti outlets.
A Brompton Road store, which will house the UK's first Zara Home, opens at the end of this month.
Zara fascias will account for most of the new shops, but more Massimo Dutti stores are likely. Castellano said other Inditex fascias, such as Bershka, could also work here. 'There is the possibility to open Bershka and other concepts in the UK,' he said.
UK expansion forms part of a five-year Inditex plan to bolster its European presence. There are plans for up to 100 Zara stores each in France, Germany and Italy.
Other Inditex fascias may also launch in those countries. A Bershka store opened in France this summer, and an outlet will be tested in Italy shortly.
Castellano said like-for-likes for October were positive, and the prospects for the rest of the year look good.
'If we perform normally, we expect to reach our goals,' he added.
- Next week: Inditex special report.
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