The fashion industry is looking back on an eventful week: Inditex reported a new quarterly sales record of 8.75 billion euros, while the World Cup is keeping the industry busy in many areas – from collaborations to a sharp increase in counterfeit jerseys. OTB took over all shares in Viktor&Rolf, and Omoda swallowed the Dutch e-commerce provider Wehkamp with a sales target of 600 million euros. There was also movement in terms of personnel. Kik gets a new managing director, Alexander McQueen a new boss.
Business
Business figures
Inditex achieved record sales of 8.75 billion euros in the first quarter of 2026, growing by 5.75 percent. However, an in-depth analysis of the quarterly key figures also shows that the group closed 106 branches at the same time and achieved maximum margins. Takko Fashion also started the new 2026/27 financial year with record results and recorded increases in both sales and operating profit. Things weren’t going so well for Lascana: The Hamburg clothing retailer reported a two percent decline in annual sales and was therefore unable to continue its previous growth trend.
Acquisitions
The Italian fashion group OTB secured the remaining shares in the Dutch fashion house Viktor&Rolf and is now the sole owner. The Dutch fashion retailer Omoda took over the e-commerce provider Wehkamp and sets a joint sales target of 600 million euros. In Munich, Ludwig Beck changes the majority owner: Alfons Doblinger takes over the majority of the Munich retail stock corporation.
Regulation and sustainability: The EU Green Deal significantly tightens the requirements for supply chains and reporting obligations for the German fashion industry – new laws such as the CSDDD, CSRD and ESPR affect companies of different sizes. Meanwhile, there is tailwind for the topic of circular economy: According to a current study, the European market for circular fashion is estimated at 100 billion euros by 2030, driven by regulations and growing investments.
World Cup Sportswear
In the World Cup year, Capelli Sport is focusing specifically on the amateur football segment, expanding into new markets and seeing the tournament as an opportunity for growth. What the purchasing process for the SS27 season looks like in practice is shown by a visit to the hiking shop The World of Walking, whose owner Sanne Dirven talks about sustainability and current trends in outdoor clothing. Jacquemus is also collaborating with Nike and the French Football Federation to provide French national team players with a lifestyle collection for the World Cup. At the same time, the brand association is reporting a significant increase in counterfeit jerseys: According to a survey, 19 percent of Germans have already purchased counterfeits in the World Cup year. Companies are responding to the jersey boom in a different way: An analysis explains why free jerseys for the World Cup are worthwhile for companies – through increased brand visibility and data collection options.
fashion
Collaborations and collections: Under Armor and Marine Serre present a capsule collection that combines archival sportswear pieces from the noughties with the French designer’s signature moon motifs. Zara is launching a capsule collection together with Marisa Berenson, the granddaughter of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli and an icon of the seventies.
Luxury and law
According to a Kearney report, the luxury sector is stabilizing this year and is not shrinking – growth of two to four percent is expected for 2026. The outdoor brand Patagonia is facing legal headwind: The company has filed a trademark lawsuit against drag environmental activist Pattie Gonia.
Young talent and archive: Designer Kié Lee, discovered by Yohji Yamamoto, speaks in an interview about her move from New York to Antwerp and the influence of loneliness on her creative work. In Paris, Martin Margiela’s personal archive items from the years 1984 to 2008 are going under the hammer – a historical auction for collectors.
Personal details
Kik is making a change in leadership: Ulrich Hanfeld has been the new managing director of the textile discounter from Bönen since June 1st. At Alexander McQueen, Gianfranco D’Attis will take over management of the company from June 3rd and report directly to Kering boss Luca de Meo. Lanvin Group names Xi Luo as new chief financial officer, effective June 1. In Saks Global’s bankruptcy case, former CEO Richard Baker is appealing the Chapter 11 reorganization plan. Ruven Taieb, Store Manager at Rendel, explains in an interview why good advice is not a sales tactic, but rather the creation of lasting customer relationships.
retail
The HDE consumer barometer shows a slight recovery in consumer sentiment in June – but the level remains weak. At the same time, Verdi is once again calling for nationwide warning strikes in retailers and is increasing the pressure on employers in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. Stephanie Jechnerer, head of the Frühauf fashion house, is clearly committed to stationary retail and relies on rebranding and a strong customer experience on site. A guest article outlines how shopping areas of the future will have to transform from a pure supply function to holistic experience platforms – away from the individual branch and towards a networked neighborhood strategy.
culture
The Austrian Fashion Association is presenting the fashion project “Here, There, Within” in Brussels, in which 13 Austrian designers are involved. The exhibition sees fashion as a means of cultural expression and gives Austrian fashion a stage on a European level.