The Spanish retail giant Inditex, owner of Zara and other fashion brands, announced that net profits soared 15% to €2.88 million in the 2015 year period.
Sales were also up by 15% reaching nearly €21 billion.
The company said that growth took place in all its regions and that international expansion had been the second factor in its success.
Revenues had been boosted by its net opening of 330 stores in 56 markets during the year. A new Zara outlet in Honolulu marked the firm’s 7000th, a statement said, bringing the total markets to 88.
It added, however, that the rate of new shops would slow as more consumers pursue online shopping. Inditex said it will focus on obtaining more flagship locations and expand its online presence.
Nevertheless, it says it will open between 280 and 360 new stores, including inaugural ones in five new markets - Vietnam, New Zealand, Paraguay, Aruba and Nicaragua.
More than 15,800 new jobs were created last year, including 4,120 in Spain.
All this success had long ago catapulted the self-made Amancio Ortega, now nearly 80, into one of the world’s wealthiest men.
The world’s biggest fashion group is composed of almost 100 companies and counts Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear, Bershka and Stradivarius among its brands.
