Inditex’s Zara to Launch Second-Hand Platform in France on Sept 7

The Zara clothing store logo is seen at the entrance of a store in Brussels, Belgium November 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
The Zara clothing store logo is seen at the entrance of a store in Brussels, Belgium November 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
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Inditex’s Zara to Launch Second-Hand Platform in France on Sept 7

The Zara clothing store logo is seen at the entrance of a store in Brussels, Belgium November 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
The Zara clothing store logo is seen at the entrance of a store in Brussels, Belgium November 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

Spanish fashion retailer Zara will expand its service to sell, repair or donate second-hand clothes in France from Thursday, its owner Inditex (ITX.MC) said on Wednesday.

The service, which will be available through Zara's stores, its website and a mobile app, already exists for its British customers since last October. The company's chief executive Oscar Garcia Maceiras has said it will be launched in Germany also this year.

The company aims to extend the life of customers' Zara clothes, contribute to the reduction of waste and the consumption of new raw materials, it said in a statement, Reuters reported.

Zara has also said 40% of clothing pieces will be made with recycled fibres by 2030 and it is backing charities such as Moda Re which manage textiles waste. The company seeks to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and by 90% by 2040.

Zara is following other fast fashion brands such as its main competitor H&M (HMb.ST) in offering products for resale at a time when the global second-hand apparel market is growing.



Birkenstock Results Beat on Resilient Demand, Forecasts Margin Recovery

A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
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Birkenstock Results Beat on Resilient Demand, Forecasts Margin Recovery

A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)

Birkenstock beat market expectations for fourth-quarter results on robust demand for its pricey footwear and forecast a recovery in margins in fiscal 2025, sending the company's shares up 7% on Wednesday.

With fresh styles becoming a priority for consumers, Birkenstock's sandals and closed-toe clogs have drawn new customers both at its own stores and at retailers.

The company bypassed steep discounting trends evident during the holiday shopping season, which Birkenstock executives said was off to a strong start globally.

"The expansion of ranges into more closed-toe silhouette has helped boost revenue, given that they offer multi-season wear," Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said.

Germany-based Birkenstock's average selling prices across its product range were up 8% in fiscal 2024, in part due to higher sales of clogs, the company said, adding that closed-toe styles now made up about a third of its business.

The company has invested in expanding its global store presence and increasing manufacturing capacity this year to meet demand.

While it led to a 330-basis point drop in gross margins in fiscal 2024, Birkenstock forecast a recovery in margins in fiscal 2025 as it ramps up production from new facilities.

The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of 455.8 million euros ($478.27 million), compared with the average analyst estimate of 439.2 million euros, according to data compiled by LSEG.

However, Birkenstock's forecast for fiscal 2025 revenue to increase between 15% and 17% was below estimates of 17.5% growth.

"It would appear with this incredibly healthy growth, the company is choosing to adopt a conservative approach that they expect to be able to meet and beat," BMO Capital Markets analyst Simeon Siegel said.

On an adjusted basis, Birkenstock earned 0.29 euro per share, beating estimates of 0.26 euro.