Zara parent Inditex revives Lefties in France amid growing Shein rivalry

Zara-owner Inditex plans to expand its budget brand Lefties to France, the fashion giant’s CEO told investors on Tuesday, as it aims to attract more young consumers and intensify competition with Shein and other low-cost rivals.

The planned expansion marks Lefties’ return to France, having first launched there in 2009 before closing both of its French stores by 2012.

Established 25 years ago and named for its origins as an outlet for Zara’s unsold stock, Lefties now operates in 18 countries and has gained traction as Inditex responds to pressure from online-only retailers like Shein, known for their ultra-low prices.

In May, Lefties introduced a new all-caps logo in an Instagram post, alongside the slogan “Lefties everywhere, on everyone.” While currently concentrated in Spain and Portugal, Inditex CEO Óscar García Maceiras said last month that the company is “testing Lefties in new markets.”

The brand’s dresses are priced as low as 9.90 euros ($11.55) and jeans at 12.99 euros, positioning it as a more affordable alternative to Zara, which has raised prices in recent years. The pricing also places it in direct competition with Shein and Primark.

Inditex is also expanding its other brands, García Maceiras said at the group’s annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday. Bershka is opening its first stores in Denmark; Stradivarius in Austria; Oysho in the Netherlands; and Massimo Dutti in Brazil. The Zara Man label is also launching in the United States with a new store in Costa Mesa, Los Angeles.

The store openings — including Lefties in France — are scheduled for this year and next, an Inditex spokesperson confirmed.

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