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Inditex, parent company of Zara, reported a 4% sales growth in Q1 2025, down from 11% last year, amid concerns about weakening consumer demand. Despite this, the company plans a 9% dividend increase and €1.8 billion investment in growth, with expansion into new markets.
Inditex, the parent company of Zara, reported a slower start to its first quarter for 2024, with sales up just 4% in currency-neutral terms from February 1 to March 10, compared to 11% growth during the same period last year. Despite strong overall sales and profit figures for 2024, meeting analysts’ expectations, concerns about weaker consumer demand are growing.
Inditex has seen rapid growth in recent years, driven by Zara's market share gains over rivals like H&M, and its share price has more than doubled in the last three years. However, analysts are concerned about the impact of weakening demand, especially in key markets like the United States. Bernstein analyst William Woods highlighted a “softer exit rate” for the quarter, noting the company would need a significant acceleration in the coming weeks to meet expectations.
Despite this, Inditex remains committed to profitable growth, with plans to increase its dividend by 9% and invest 1.8 billion euros in store refurbishments, technology, and online platforms. The company is also expanding its reach, with plans to open new stores in Iraq, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party has won the Armenian elections, picking up nearly half the vote. With a majority in parliament, Pashinyan is set for a third term as Prime Minister. But an opposition politican has said he will challenge the election results.
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Barcelona is preparing to mark a historic milestone in the legacy of architect Antoni Gaudí as Pope Leo XIV visits the city this week to inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família basilica, almost exactly 100 years after the visionary architect’s death.
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have meanwhile made pleas for peace.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
Apple has unveiled a long-awaited upgrade to Siri, aiming to close the gap with technology rivals and emerging artificial intelligence firms in an increasingly competitive market.
ChatGPT maker OpenAI has confidentially filed for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO), the company said on Monday, joining rival Anthropic in a race to the stock market as investors seek exposure to the artificial intelligence boom.
Chinese carmakers are rapidly reshaping the global automotive market, with record exports, soaring electric vehicle sales and growing investments overseas putting pressure on established European, Japanese and U.S. rivals.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has begun its latest round of negotiations on creating the first binding global standards for platform-based work, covering services such as ride-hailing, food delivery and other app-based work.
European companies are continuing to deepen their presence in China, with nearly seven in ten firms maintaining or expanding their supply chains despite global efforts to diversify, according to a new survey by the EU Chamber of Commerce.
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