New stores and a growing international presence helps push Inditex sales up to €4.12 billion

Spanish fashion giant Inditex has increased its sales to €4.12 billion (£2.85 billion) in the 6 months to July 31, with net income up to €393 million (£272.3 million).

These results are 19 per cent up on the same period last year with like-for-like growth up 7 per cent compared with a 5 per cent increase in the first half of 2006.

The positive growth has been attributed to 205 new stores opened so far this year including the first ever Zara store inBeijingand the launch of Zara Home inFrance.

Separately, Inditex’s biggest performer Zara was forced to pull handbags incorporating swastika signs off its shelves after customers complained.