MADRID, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Textile group Inditex increased net profits by 9 percent in the first semester of its fiscal year when compared with a year earlier to a total of 1.37 billion euros (1.64 billion U.S. dollars), the company said on Wednesday.
The world's largest clothing retailer increased sales by 11.5 percent to 11.671 billion euros. Europe, excluding Spain, accounted for 43 percent of sales, Asia represented 25 percent, Spain 16 percent and America 16 percent.
Inditex created 11,043 new job positions in the last 12 months, 2,933 in Spain, "resulting from growing teams at our headquarters," Inditex said.
Company Chairman and CEO Pablo Isla highlighted the "strength and sustainability of the company's integrated offline-online store model," which demonstrates Inditex's ability to deliver growth.
He emphasized "the creation of value for society and the environment," particularly in Spain with the creation of new job opportunities.
Inditex opened new stores in 35 different markets in the first six months of the year to a total of 7,405, being present in a total of 94 markets, 46 of which also have an online presence. The company will open a new online store in India the following month.
Inditex operates eight brands including Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home and Uterque. (1 euro=1.2 U.S. dollars) Enditem
