Spanish fashion giant Inditex, the parent company of global brands like Zara, Bershka, and Massimo Dutti, has officially announced plans to expand into its **215th market—**Iraq—by the end of 2025. The move marks a significant milestone in the group’s omnichannel expansion strategy, which includes both physical and digital retail growth across emerging markets.
Iraq Joins the Inditex Global Map
The launch in Iraq will feature flagship stores from Inditex’s major brands, including Zara, Zara Home, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, and Oysho, all opening their first locations in Baghdad’s new Iraq Mall. This mega mall—set to be the largest shopping and leisure destination in the region—is strategically located in the Al-Dora district on the southern bank of the Tigris River.
With over 350 shops, a luxury hotel, apartments, supermarkets, and 100+ restaurants, the Iraq Mall will provide Inditex brands with an upscale, high-footfall retail environment tailored to the modern Middle Eastern consumer.
Strategic Retail Expansion Continues
Inditex’s CEO, Óscar García Maceiras, emphasized that this expansion aligns with the company’s sustained growth plan, reflecting both digital acceleration and physical footprint optimization.
In 2024 alone, the group:
- Opened 257 stores in 47 markets
- Renovated 254 stores (including 121 expansions)
- Closed 386 outdated stores
- Increased overall sales area by 2% to 4.65 million square meters
Despite a net reduction in store count to 5,563 locations globally, Inditex continues to refine its retail experience, focusing on larger, more immersive store formats.
Other Global Moves in 2025
Alongside Iraq, Inditex plans further store openings in Europe and beyond:
- Bershka & Massimo Dutti: First stores in Denmark
- Bershka: Entry into Sweden
- Stradivarius: Expansion into Austria
- Oysho: Launches in the Netherlands and Germany
- United States: 8 renovation/opening projects in 2025
This mirrors their successful 2024 launch in Uzbekistan, where all key Inditex brands opened stores and ecommerce platforms.
What This Means for Global Retail
For investors, developers, and retail operators, Inditex’s Iraq entry confirms that emerging markets in the Middle East and Central Asia are poised to become the next major growth frontier for international fashion and lifestyle brands. The group’s seamless blend of digital and physical retail makes it an industry model in global retail transformation.
Star Brands Consulting Group’s Take
At Star Brands Consulting Group, we help businesses enter, expand, and franchise international retail concepts in key growth markets like the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Inditex’s Iraq expansion is a case study in strategic timing, mall-based retail, and community integration.
Are you interested in developing a global fashion franchise or launching your brand in the GCC? Let our team guide you through market analysis, location planning, and brand partnerships to turn your vision into a scalable reality.