The Spanish company that owns Zara, Inditex, has told the people who own the buildings where its stores are located that it will begin to reopen its stores in Ukraine starting in early April. This was reported by the Financial Times.
Out of its over 80 stores in the country, Inditex aims to reopen 50, with the Financial Times noting that the reopening process will start with 20 stores, especially those in Kyiv's shopping malls.
The company stressed that the safety of its employees and customers will be Inditex's top priority, and it will adjust its reopening strategy based on market conditions.To get ready for the reopening, some of the Ukrainian staff have gone to Poland for training.
On February 24, 2022, the day Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Inditex shut its stores in Ukraine. This decision affected several of its popular brands, such as Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka. In response to these closures, Inditex ceased the shipment of products to Ukraine.
Despite halting retail operations, Inditex upheld a storng commitment to its staff and the broader community by continuing to pay salaries to its employees and maintaining its tax contributions in Ukraine.
Even though its stores were closed, Inditex maintained its rental agreements with landlords, although the specifics of these arrangements have not been shared.
