H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB vs Inditex: Founders, CEOs and History
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB was founded in 1947 by Erling Persson and is led by Daniel Ervér. Inditex was founded in 1985 by Amancio Ortega, Rosalía Mera and is led by Óscar García Maceiras.
Company facts
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
- Founded
- 1947
- Headquarters
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Current CEO
- Daniel Ervér
- Employees
- 125,000
Inditex
- Founded
- 1985
- Headquarters
- Arteixo, A Coruña, Spain
- Current CEO
- Óscar García Maceiras
- Employees
- 163,047
Founders
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
Erling Persson
Erling Persson was a highly visionary Swedish business magnate and the incredibly influential founding architect fundamentally responsible for creating the massive H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) global fashion empire.
Inditex
Amancio Ortega
Amancio Ortega (born 1936 in Busdongo de Arbás, León) is the founder and controlling shareholder of Inditex.
Rosalía Mera
Rosalía Mera (1944-2013) co-founded the business with Amancio Ortega, sewing and producing the early dressing gowns and lingerie of Confecciones GOA and helping launch Zara in 1975.
CEOs and their tenures
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
- Karl-Johan Persson2009–present
Chairman of the Board (CEO 2009-2020)
As CEO, he oversaw rapid global store growth and new brands such as & Other Stories and ARKET. That large store base later weighed on the business as shopping moved online.
Source - Daniel Ervér2024–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Under Ervér, operating margin improved from 7.4% in FY2024 to 8.1% in FY2025, and Q3 2026 operating profit rose 23% to ~$600 million (SEK 6.0 billion). He has cut costs, simplified the organization and shifted toward in-season buying.
Source
Inditex
- José María Castellano1985–2005
CEO and Deputy Chairman
Built Inditex's IT and logistics systems with Amancio Ortega and led the company through its 2001 IPO.
Source - Pablo Isla2005–2022
CEO (2005-2011), Executive Chairman (2011-2022)
Led global expansion, the launch of online sales from 2010 and the RFID rollout before handing over to Marta Ortega and Óscar García Maceiras.
Source - Óscar García Maceiras2021–present
Chief Executive Officer
Under his tenure annual sales rose from ~$31.3 billion (€27.7 billion) (FY2021) to ~$45.1 billion (€39.9 billion) (FY2025) and net profit from ~$3.62 billion (€3.2 billion) to ~$7.01 billion (€6.2 billion).
Source - Marta Ortega Pérez2022–present
Non-Executive Chair
Daughter of Amancio Ortega; became chair in April 2022 after years in Zara's product and brand teams, and has driven Zara's brand-elevation push.
Source
Timeline: H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB and Inditex side by side
1947H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
Hennes Founded
Erling Persson opens Hennes in Vasteras, Sweden, as a women's fashion store, inspired by high-volume US retail he saw on a postwar trip.
1963Inditex
Business Origins
Amancio Ortega and Rosalia Mera began the apparel business that later became Inditex.
1968H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
Mauritz Widforss Acquisition
The company acquires Mauritz Widforss, adds menswear, and becomes Hennes & Mauritz.
1974H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
Stockholm Listing
H&M lists publicly in Stockholm, giving it capital and visibility for international expansion.
1975Inditex
First Zara Store
The first Zara store opened in A Coruña, Spain.
1985Inditex
Inditex Formed
Industria de Diseño Textil, S.A. was created as the holding company for the expanding retail group.
1988Inditex
First Store Outside Spain
Zara opened its first international store in Porto, Portugal, followed by New York in 1989 and Paris in 1990.
2001Inditex
Public Listing
Inditex listed on the Madrid stock exchange.
2007H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
COS Launches
H&M launches COS, signaling a larger portfolio strategy beyond the core value-fashion banner.
2019H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
Sellpy Investment
H&M invests in resale platform Sellpy, building early exposure to circular-fashion demand.
2022Inditex
Marta Ortega Becomes Chair
Marta Ortega Pérez became chair, reinforcing founding-family stewardship.
2023Inditex
Exit From Russia
Inditex agreed to sell its Russian business to the UAE-based Daher Group after suspending operations there in 2022.
2024H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
Daniel Ervér Becomes CEO
Daniel Ervér becomes CEO in a surprise change announced alongside weak quarterly results, as the group focuses on sharper assortments, digital retail, and profitability.
2025H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
FY2025 Net Sales of ~$22.8B (SEK 228.3B)
H&M reports ~$22.8 billion (SEK 228.285 billion) in FY2025 net sales and ~$1.21 billion (SEK 12.085 billion) profit for the year.
2025Inditex
~$45.1B (€39.9B) FY2025 Sales
Inditex reported ~$45 billion (€39.864 billion) in FY2025 sales (+3.2%, +7.0% in constant currency) and ~$7.03 billion (€6.220 billion) in net profit (+6.0%).
2026Inditex
H1 2026 Sales Reach ~$22.4B (€19.8B)
Interim results on 9 September 2026 showed sales up 7.6% to ~$22.4 billion (€19.8 billion), gross margin of 58.7% and net profit up 6.8% to about $3.39 billion (€3.0 billion).
Acquisitions
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
- Sellpy (majority stake)2019Undisclosed
- Mauritz Widforss1968Undisclosed
Questions about H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB vs Inditex
Who is the CEO of H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB and Inditex, S.A.?
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB is led by Daniel Ervér and Inditex, S.A. is led by Óscar García Maceiras. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB founded vs Inditex, S.A.?
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB was founded in 1947 — 38 years before Inditex, S.A., which was founded in 1985. H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Inditex, S.A..
How many employees does H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB have compared to Inditex, S.A.?
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB employs approximately 125,000 people, while Inditex, S.A. employs approximately 163,047. Inditex, S.A. has the larger workforce at 163,047 employees, compared to H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB's 125,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB and Inditex, S.A. headquartered?
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB is headquartered in Sweden and Inditex, S.A. is headquartered in Spain. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB and Inditex, S.A.?
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB was founded by Erling Persson. Inditex, S.A. was founded by Amancio Ortega, Rosalía Mera.
Which company has a longer operating history — H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB or Inditex, S.A.?
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB has been operating for approximately 79 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Inditex, S.A. has been in operation for around 41 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB vs Inditex overview