Tempe’s distribution of shoes and accessories in 2021 surpassed prior pandemic levels, marking a historic peak for the company’s sales volume. The operation is part of the Inditex group, which oversees a portfolio of brands including Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, and Zara Home. The Tempe unit plays a key role in designing, marketing, and distributing footwear for these brands, with a focus on achieving broad geographic reach and fast delivery.
Despite global restrictions during the pandemic, Tempe shipped approximately 22 million units in 2020. The rebound in consumer spending in major markets and a surge in online shopping helped product volumes recover almost 34 percent over the previous year, illustrating a strong return to demand across Inditex’s footprint.
In 2021, Tempe again reached an impressive distribution milestone, with total shipments hovering around 106.4 million pairs and accessories. This figure surpassed the 2018 record of 103 million units and underscored the rapid growth the company has experienced since its inception. The trajectory from 2010 to subsequent years shows a sustained expansion, doubling the number of units sold roughly every eight years and reflecting a robust supply chain and market appeal.
The growth era did see a brief dip in 2019 with about 101 million units, followed by a pandemic-induced drop to around 79 million units. However, the business recovered strongly in the following year, demonstrating resilience in both volume and market strategy.
Tempe is based in Elche Business Park. Founded in 1989, it is part of the Inditex family. Amancio Ortega joined forces with businessman from Elche, Vincent Garcia, to create a company focused on managing the group’s shoe operations. The first collections to reach stores were children’s footwear lines, aligning with Garcia’s Garvalín heritage and signaling Tempe’s long-term focus on youth markets and scalable distribution.
Tempe’s ownership and structure led to significant profitability for its parent organizations. Over time, the company expanded distribution to other Zara lines and later to additional Inditex brands. It has established offices in several major regions, including Brazil, India, and China, to support global operations and logistics.
One notable milestone was the creation of a dedicated logistics foundation and a large automated center. With an initial footprint of 105,000 square meters in 2011, Tempe expanded its warehouse network as it grew within the Business Park. The company also acquired land near Sagunt for a new distribution facility, reinforcing its ability to deliver footwear to Inditex stores worldwide within 24 to 48 hours.