Zara owner's sales slow in early weeks of first quarter

Company spent €2.7bn last year on improving operations through refurbishing stores, deploying new security technology and expanding logistics capabilities

Cafe customers have drinks at a terrace outside a Zara clothing store, operated by Inditex SA, in Hamburg, Germany, on Saturday.

After years of riding a post-pandemic boom, Zara owner Inditex SA is showing signs of coming back to Earth.

Sales of the world’s largest listed clothing retailer were off to a slower start in 2025, rising just 4% in the five weeks to March 10 on a constant-currency basis compared with 10.5% for all of 2024. The Arteixo, Spain-based company’s shares plunged as much as 8.9%, the biggest intraday drop in three months.