Inditex registers sales and profit uplift in Q1

Clothing retailer Inditex reported 14% sales growth for the first quarter to reach EUR2.67 billion (USD3.6 billion). Net profit rose sharply, by 63% to EUR301 million (USD409 million). The operator of Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti and other fashion and homewares banners opened 98 stores in 29 countries in the first quarter of 2010, bringing its total to 4,705 in 76 countries as of 30 April 2010. Its workforce grew from 88,924 employees in the first quarter of 2009 to the current 93,779 employees. Zara confirmed that it will begin online sales on 2 September 2010 in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the UK.