Inditex’s leadership shift was announced in the early hours, a strategic move that unfolded a year ago. News of the change arrived as a privileged disclosure to the country’s market regulator, just before the trading day began. The decision to reveal the news ahead of market open followed a deal reached the day prior, contrasting with the company’s usual practice of issuing announcements after markets close. Earlier, on another occasion, the group had disclosed its initial plan to divest its Russian operations to the Daher group.
The year’s communications centered on six key points. First, the board accepted the resignation of the chairman and director, described as a mutual separation. Second, Marta Ortega was appointed president, and fourth, Óscar García Maceiras became executive director and CEO. Since then, leadership changes have aimed to preserve continuity. The company’s strong culture, rooted in its founder’s vision, has kept the transitions subtle in day‑to‑day operations.
In terms of the business results, the focus remains sharp. Fiscal figures from the previous year showed substantial profits and robust sales. The following period under the new leadership delivered a record profit, signaling strong growth and improved margins. These financials underscore the company’s ability to maintain momentum while navigating leadership changes.
Over time, there were departures and strategic relocations within middle management. It was announced that a trusted executive would exit at year’s end after a long tenure as CEO. Additionally, the group is renewing a key location in France, a move designed to keep operations running smoothly while ensuring the business stays on course.
Despite appearances of stability, the organizational direction has evolved. The prior emphasis on financial performance—sales, growth, margins, profits—remains essential, yet the new leadership has also highlighted the people behind the brand. The company, still publicly identified as a fashion firm, emphasizes its mission to deliver emotion through style, design, and sustainability. The executive leadership has reiterated the aim to connect with customers on an emotional level, provided by creative products and compelling retail experiences that convey beauty and quality across stores worldwide. This message has been echoed in public statements about ongoing commitment to fashion, emotion, and customer experience.
As the leadership continues to steer the company, the former chair has slowed his pace but remains engaged in a few public appearances. He has indicated that retirement is not in his plans, and his focus now includes personal interests and watching major sporting events. His public visibility has been limited, with only a few formal appearances to mark transitions and new chapters for the organization. These moments were accompanied by media briefings and short addresses at industry events, signaling a shift toward a more reserved, strategic public profile.
Throughout the year, the former chair’s appearances were scarce, with the occasional photo release accompanying announcements about governance and education initiatives related to the group. The leadership’s public engagements have become more targeted, emphasizing the company’s broader mission and its role in the industry’s evolution. At major conferences and summits, the message has focused on innovation as a driving force, not merely profit, and on treating innovation as a persistent mindset. The overarching idea remains that the company’s success comes from doing things well, with the rest following naturally. The evolution of Inditex reflects a balance between steady, dependable operations and thoughtful, purposeful renewal [CITATION: Corporate governance and strategic communications reports, 2022–2024].