Quick turnaround helps Zara beat expectations again

Zara owner Inditex has reported better first-half sales and profit than expected as the world’s biggest clothing retailer outperformed rivals thanks to quick production times that allow it to react to changing weather and fashions.

Inditex has reported consistently better figures than its next biggest rival H&M in recent years, helped by its ability to get the latest trends to stores in a matter of days from factories in Europe and North Africa rather than Asia.

Items such as floral dresses, jumpsuits, and over-sized sweaters helped push sales up 16% in local currencies in the six months to July 31. Net profit was up 8% at €1.26bn, above a Reuters analysts’ poll which forecast a 7% rise.