Zara has no plans to return to Ukraine’s three major cities: what is known about Inditex’s decision
9 April 23:36
The Spanish group Inditex, which owns the brands Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius, Oysho, and Zara Home, has decided not to reopen its stores in Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv. This was reported by the Ukrainian Retailers Association on its website, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
After resuming operations in Ukraine, the company has focused on safer cities and currently has no plans to re-establish a presence in some of the frontline regions.
Why Zara is not returning to Dnipro
In Dnipro, the company did not open stores for its brands after the start of the full-scale invasion, and in late January 2026, it terminated lease agreements at two shopping centers—MOST-city and “Karavan.” Angela Borisova, general manager of the development company Alef Estate, explained that Inditex headquarters considers Dnipro too close to the front line.
After Inditex’s departure, other retailers began occupying the vacated spaces in Dnipro. According to media reports, LC Waikiki, the Polish brands Cropp and House, Calvin Klein stores, MD-Fashion, and the Ukrainian brand Arber have already opened at these locations. Only the Massimo Dutti location remained vacant.
What about Odesa and Kharkiv
In addition to Dnipro, Inditex has not resumed operations at its stores in Odesa and Kharkiv. February reports indicated that the future of these cities was in question, but new reports now list them alongside Dnipro as cities where the company has decided not to return. At the same time, previous market reports noted that the retailer continued to lease some of the space in Odesa and Kharkiv for a certain period.
Budhouse Group COO Maxim Gavryushin previously stated that Inditex had terminated lease agreements with the Dafi shopping center in Kharkiv and shopping centers in Dnipro and Odesa, but retained its lease at the Nikolsky shopping center in Kharkiv. This indicated that the company’s strategy in Kharkiv remained selective for some time.
Where Inditex has already resumed operations in Ukraine
After the start of the full-scale war, Inditex returned to the Ukrainian market in April 2024, opening its first stores in Kyiv and Lviv. The company chose these cities for a phased return, while deciding not to resume operations in more dangerous regions for the time being.
As of now, about 50 of the group’s stores are operating in Ukraine, compared to 82 before the full-scale invasion. The company has not opened any new locations during this time, but there is talk in the market of plans to launch one of the largest Zara stores in Europe at Kyiv’s Ocean Mall after its opening.
Why the company chose this strategy
The market cites security risks as the main reason. Reports on Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv emphasize that Inditex is following a cautious strategy and avoiding a return to regions with high shelling intensity or proximity to the front lines. For a global fashion retailer, issues such as stable logistics, staff safety, rental risks, and projected foot traffic are decisive factors in the decision to open stores.
Problems with international logistics have become an additional factor for Inditex’s business. In March 2026, Zara’s clothing shipments to Europe were already being complicated by the escalation in the Middle East, which also heightened overall risks for supply chains.
What this means for the Ukrainian retail market
Inditex’s decision not to return to Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv signals a further restructuring of retail spaces in major cities. On the one hand, this reflects international businesses’ caution regarding frontline regions. On the other hand, it presents an opportunity for other foreign and Ukrainian brands to occupy locations that were previously inaccessible due to the presence of one of the world’s largest fashion retailers.
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