Zara parent company Inditex has praised its "warm welcome" into the Australian market - and signalled further expansion plans across the Asia Pacific.
The group reported net sales of 13.8 billion euros (A$17.4b) at its 2011 results presentation, rising 10 per cent from the previous year.
Net income also increased 12 per cent to 1.9 billion euros (A$2.4b), with like-for-like store sales climbing four per cent.
The company revealed it had opened 483 new stores in 49 markets throughout 2011, bringing its total number of stores to 5,527.
Inditex noted the strength of its push into five new markets spanning Azerbaijan, Taiwan, Australia, South Africa and Peru.
"The latter three markets represent further progress in the differential retail strategy Inditex applies to markets in the Southern Hemisphere," Inditex stated.
"These collections, customised for southern countries' seasons, drew a warm welcome from shoppers at the new Zara stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Johannesburg and Lima.
"Following its debut in the Australian market, Inditex further cemented its role as a global retailer with stores on five continents."
Inditex also opened 132 stores in China throughout the year, 30 of which were Zara-branded locations, which saw the brand pass its 100-store mark in the region.
Other key Asian markets included Japan and South Korea, with 15 and 13 new stores respectively.
As a result of continued growth in the region, Zara will open an e-commerce portal for Chinese consumers during the next winter season.
While Zara has e-stores in 18 European countries, as well as Japan and the US, it has yet to confirm an e-commerce launch in Australia.
Inditex revealed it plans to open between 480 to 520 new stores in 2012, already posting a 12 per cent increase in comparative sales from February 1 to March 14, 2012.
ZARA: Cements global strategy with Australian launch.
