Inditex vs Zalando: Founders, CEOs and History
Inditex was founded in 1985 by Amancio Ortega, Rosalía Mera and is led by Óscar García Maceiras. Zalando was founded in 2008 by Robert Gentz, David Schneider and is led by Robert Gentz, David Schneider.
Company facts
Founders
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.
Zalando
Robert Gentz
Robert Gentz co-founded Zalando in Berlin in 2008 with David Schneider and has served as Co-CEO since. He led the company through its 2014 IPO, its 2021 DAX inclusion and the 2025 ABOUT YOU acquisition.
David Schneider
David Schneider co-founded Zalando in 2008 and leads it as Co-CEO alongside Robert Gentz. The two have run the company jointly since Rubin Ritter left in 2021.
CEOs and their tenures
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
Zalando
- Anna Dimitrova
Chief Financial Officer
Oversees financial reporting, guidance and capital returns.
Source - Robert Gentz2008–present
Co-founder & Co-CEO
Founder-led management of Zalando for its whole history.
Source - David Schneider2008–present
Co-founder & Co-CEO
Joint leadership of the company's B2C and B2B strategy.
Source
Timeline: Inditex and Zalando side by side
1963Inditex
Business Origins
Amancio Ortega and Rosalia Mera began the apparel business that later became Inditex.
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.
2008Zalando
Zalando founded in Berlin by Robert Gentz and David Schneider.
2010Zalando
First markets outside German-speaking Europe
Zalando launched in the Netherlands and France, its first non-German-speaking markets, and added apparel to its original shoe range.
2014Zalando
IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
2021Zalando
Joined the DAX; Rubin Ritter stepped down as Co-CEO.
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.
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%).
2025Zalando
ABOUT YOU acquisition closed on 11 July; FY revenue reached ~$13.9 billion (€12.3 billion).
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).
2026Zalando
Announced a buy-back of up to $339 million (€300 million); narrowed 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance to €680–720 million in August.
Acquisitions
Zalando
- ABOUT YOU2025Undisclosed
- Highsnobiety (majority stake)2022Undisclosed
- Fision2020Undisclosed
Questions about Inditex vs Zalando
Who is the CEO of Inditex, S.A. and Zalando?
Inditex, S.A. is led by Óscar García Maceiras and Zalando is led by Robert Gentz, David Schneider. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Inditex, S.A. founded vs Zalando?
Inditex, S.A. was founded in 1985 — 23 years before Zalando, which was founded in 2008. Inditex, S.A.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Zalando.
How many employees does Inditex, S.A. have compared to Zalando?
Inditex, S.A. employs approximately 163,047 people, while Zalando employs approximately 15,500. Inditex, S.A. has the larger workforce at 163,047 employees, compared to Zalando's 15,500. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Inditex, S.A. and Zalando headquartered?
Inditex, S.A. is headquartered in Spain and Zalando is headquartered in Germany. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Inditex, S.A. and Zalando?
Inditex, S.A. was founded by Amancio Ortega, Rosalía Mera. Zalando was founded by Robert Gentz, David Schneider.
Which company has a longer operating history — Inditex, S.A. or Zalando?
Inditex, S.A. has been operating for approximately 41 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Zalando has been in operation for around 18 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 Inditex vs Zalando overview