New Delhi: Spain’s Inditex Group has broadened its presence in India with the introduction of Bershka, its third fast-fashion brand in the country, targeting young, trend-savvy consumers. The inaugural Bershka store has opened at Mumbai’s Phoenix Palladium mall, coinciding with the brand’s online launch in India. As part of Inditex, the largest publicly traded fashion company globally, Bershka offers products at a lower price point than Zara, appealing to a younger audience. Inditex’s global brand portfolio includes Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius, Oysho, and Zara Home.
Previously, Inditex operated in India through a joint venture with Tata Group’s Trent Ltd, which oversees the distribution of Zara and Massimo Dutti. However, for the launch of Bershka, Inditex has opted for a direct entry strategy, foregoing a local partnership. With this new addition, Inditex now operates 26 stores in India.
Inditex faces global competition from Sweden’s H&M Group and Japan’s Fast Retailing (Uniqlo). In the first nine months of 2024, Inditex reported sales of €27.4 billion (approximately $29 billion), reflecting a 7.1% year-on-year growth. Bershka’s offerings in India include apparel for men, women, and teenagers, available both in physical stores and online. The brand’s BSK Teen line specifically targets 10- to 12-year-olds who are heavily influenced by digital culture, social media trends, music, and youth-oriented pop culture.
India’s lifestyle market, encompassing apparel, beauty, accessories, and footwear, is projected to reach a staggering $210 billion by 2028, according to a 2024 report by Bain & Co. and Myntra. While the overall retail sector is experiencing a slowdown, the demand for premium fashion and beauty products remains strong.
Global fashion brands have been actively expanding in India to capitalize on this demand. Over the past decade, companies like Gap, Shein, H&M, and Uniqlo have entered the market. Last year, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. announced a multi-year franchise partnership with Myntra Jabong India Pvt. Ltd, planning to establish physical stores, regional e-commerce platforms, and digital storefronts for its Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister brands.
In fiscal 2024, Zara India reported sales of ₹2,774.64 crore, an increase from ₹2,562.50 crore the previous year. Meanwhile, Massimo Dutti India recorded total income of ₹101.79 crore, up from ₹89.58 crore. Inditex operates a well-integrated global network of physical and online stores across more than 200 markets.
