Inditex Restarts Operations in Ukraine with Online Shopping and Store Reopenings
Inditex is resuming its presence in Ukraine after a two-year pause tied to the war, bringing back online shopping on Tuesday, April 2, and reopening about 20 stores across its seven brands, including three Zara locations, in the Kyiv region. The rollout is planned as a staged restart, with the goal of rebuilding the brand’s physical footprint in line with evolving market conditions and the company’s strategic priorities. The plan comes from internal assessments and recent statements from company representatives cited by regional media.
Under this approach, the Madrid-based fashion group aims for a careful, phased reopening of its Ukraine stores. The business paused in-store service on February 24, 2022, and now intends to bring roughly 20 shops back online under the seven-brand umbrella in the Kyiv area, with subsequent expansion to Lviv as the network grows. The broader objective discussed by observers is to approach about fifty stores open within the 80-store footprint the company operates in Ukraine over the coming months, signaling a broader commitment to reestablishing its market presence incrementally.
Employee and customer safety
Protection of staff and customers remains the group’s top priority, according to the same sources. Since the start of the conflict in 2022, Inditex has operated a dedicated program to support local employees and their families in Ukraine. The company has ensured continued employment and salaries for the entire Ukrainian workforce, while other income options may be pursued by individuals through self-employment or alternative arrangements where applicable.
As the seven brands resume online order distribution in tandem with the reopening of their initial physical stores, service terms for customers will be announced by each brand on its official platform once operations resume fully.
Fast fashion competitors, both domestic and international, have remained active in Ukraine for months. For instance, H&M signaled a return to Ukrainian operations in late 2023, with plans to restart in late 2023.
Historically, Inditex has expanded aid to Ukraine, including a 3 million euro donation in 2022 to support the Ukrainian population through relief organizations focused on refugees. The group has also contributed locally through clothing donations and provided job opportunities in its Poland-based subsidiary for individuals displaced from Ukraine.