Romania’s fashion retail industry closed 2024 with a total turnover of RON 16.7 billion (approx. €3.35 billion), according to data from the financial analysis platform RisCo.ro.
The sector reported a combined net profit of RON 1.43 billion and employed 24,730 people, confirming the resilience of one of the country’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
Within this landscape, two international giants dominate the Romanian fashion scene: Inditex Romania — which operates Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Zara Home, and Lefties — and LPP Romania, the Polish group behind Sinsay, Reserved, Cropp, House, and Mohito.
Together, these two players control nearly 30% of the national fashion market.
Financial evolution: Zara maintains profitability, Sinsay struggles to keep pace
According to RisCo’s analysis, Inditex Romania has recorded steady and consistent growth over the past three years.
The company’s turnover rose from RON 2.22 billion in 2022 to RON 2.94 billion in 2024, while net profit increased from RON 299 million to RON 415 million.
With 1,942 employees, Inditex achieves remarkable productivity — over RON 1.5 million per employee — reflecting the group’s highly efficient operational model.
By contrast, LPP Romania (Sinsay) has experienced a different trajectory.
While its turnover grew from RON 1.39 billion in 2022 to RON 2 billion in 2024, its net profit of RON 32.8 million in 2023 turned into a loss of RON 22.8 million in 2024.
With 1,728 employees, productivity stands at RON 1.15 million per employee, below Inditex’s performance level.
Store network: Sinsay leads in volume, Zara leads in performance
LPP Romania (Sinsay) currently operates 278 active retail points, making it the largest fashion network by store count in Romania.
Meanwhile, Inditex Romania manages 145 stores, yet its profitability is almost 20 times higher than its Polish competitor’s — an indicator of the contrasting strategies between expansion and efficiency.
Company value and ownership
According to RisCo.ro, the gap between the two companies extends beyond operational performance:
- Inditex Romania (Zara) is valued at approximately €856 million.
- LPP Romania (Sinsay) is valued at about €54.6 million.
Both subsidiaries are 100% owned by their parent companies — Industria de Diseño Textil S.A. (Spain) for Inditex and LPP S.A. (Poland) for the LPP Group.
Global performance: Inditex remains a benchmark for the European fashion industry
Globally, Inditex Group, the parent company of Zara, closed 2024 with revenues of €38.6 billion, up 7.5% year-on-year, and a record net profit of €5.9 billion (+9%).
Its market capitalization reached an all-time high of €156 billion, cementing Inditex’s position as the most valuable fashion group in Europe.
In comparison, LPP S.A., owner of Sinsay, reported revenues of €4.7 billion in 2024, up 16% from the previous year, with a net profit of €410 million and a market capitalization of €7.9 billion.
Although the Polish company shows strong international growth, its Romanian subsidiary faces profitability challenges.
Eastern European perspective: Different strategies, same ambition
The Romanian market mirrors a broader trend across Central and Eastern Europe:
Spanish and Polish retailers are competing for dominance through contrasting business models — premium accessibility and operational efficiency (Zara) versus mass expansion and affordability (Sinsay).
While Inditex continues to focus on profitability and brand consistency, LPP’s aggressive rollout strategy aims to capture new consumers in secondary cities and emerging retail hubs.
Source reference
The financial and operational data presented in this article are based on an analysis by RisCo.ro, which compiles company information filed with Romania’s Ministry of Finance.
All interpretations, contextual details, and comparative analysis were conducted independently by the Business Catalog editorial team.
Business Catalog editorial note
Business Catalog Europe provides analytical coverage of key economic and business trends across Central and Eastern Europe.
Our editorial approach combines verified data, comparative insights, and regional context to help readers understand how international brands adapt and compete in emerging European markets.
All articles reflect independent editorial analysis and are not commissioned or sponsored by the companies mentioned.
