OREANDA-NEWS. The leader of retail apparel market in Lithuania and the Baltic States Apranga Group and world’s leading fashion retailer Inditex have agreed to prolong franchise agreements regarding Zara, Bershka, Pull and Bear, Stradivarius and Massimo Dutti brands development in the Baltic States until 2016.

 The collaboration between Apranga Group and Inditex has started in 2004. The  franchise agreements were prolonged in 2008 and 2011. First Zara chain store in  the Baltic States was opened in August 2004, first Bershka chain store – in February 2006, first Pull and Bear chain store – in August 2006, first Stradivarius – in April 2008, and first Massimo Dutti – in August 2011.

 Currently Apranga Group runs 38 stores of Inditex chain: 10 Zara, 8 Bershka, 8 Pull and Bear, 6 Stradivarius, and 6 Massimo Dutti. The general area of these  stores is 28.7 thousand sq. m.

 The net sales of Inditex Group were EUR 15.9 billion in 2012, and have increased by 16% during the year. There were 6 009 “Inditex” group stores opened in 86 countries of the world on 31 January 2013, 763 of which were operated under franchise agreements. The turnover of franchise stores comprise  15% of the total “Inditex” group’s turnover.

 Shares of Apranga are listed on Baltic equity list on NASDAQ OMX Vilnius Stock Exchange. Majority shareholder of Apranga Group is concern MG Baltic.