Baratta Center and Stanton Series Host CEO of Inditex Óscar García Maceiras
The Baratta Center for Global Business CEO Signature Series, in collaboration with the Stanton Distinguished Leaders Series at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, featured Óscar García Maceiras, the CEO of Inditex. The September 19 event was co-sponsored by the Georgetown Retail and Luxury Association and the Graduate Retail and Luxury Association, with opening remarks delivered by their respective presidents, Carolina O’Leary (SFS‘25) and Alejandra Giron (MBA‘25).
During his presentation, García Maceiras shared his insights into Inditex’s innovative business model, sustainability efforts, and how the company has consistently evolved to stay at the forefront of the retail industry. He provided an in-depth look at Inditex’s operating model, highlighting how the company manages its diverse portfolio of brands, including Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, and Bershka, across 5,693 stores in 97 countries. He discussed Inditex’s commitment to democratizing fashion — making it accessible to all — and the key role their supply chain plays in the company’s ability to quickly adapt to trends.
A central component of this adaptability lies in Inditex’s proximity production model, where 50% of its manufacturing takes place near key markets in Spain, Morocco, Portugal, and Turkey. This allows Inditex to maintain a level of flexibility that is often lacking in more traditional production models. The proximity model enables Inditex to identify and respond to new fashion trends mid-campaign and allows them to adjust production and deliver fresh items to stores in real-time based on consumer demand.
The company’s supply chain infrastructure further supports this agility. With 1,800 suppliers spread across 50 countries, Inditex leverages a dual-stream model, where all products pass through primary distribution centers and are delivered to stores twice a week. This approach ensures not only efficient transportation but also maximizes full-price sales by optimizing the distribution of products based on real-time data on size, color, and style preferences in each market.
Additionally, García Maceiras emphasized the importance of supply chain audits and compliance efforts to maintain quality control and ensure ethical practices across the diverse supplier network. By continuously running audits, Inditex safeguards its commitment to responsible sourcing while maintaining the efficiency and responsiveness that have become the hallmarks of its business model. This meticulous attention to supply chain dynamics is a key strength that enables Inditex to remain competitive and responsive in the fast-paced retail environment.
García Maceiras also touched on the company’s substantial sustainability initiatives. He noted that Inditex has committed to reducing its environmental footprint through innovation. Key goals include a 50% reduction in total emissions and sourcing 100% of raw materials from sustainable sources by 2040. These efforts are supported by partnerships with startups and academic institutions. One example included the investment in the startup Galy, which focuses on growing cotton from stem cells.
One of the key highlights of the event was García Maceiras’ emphasis on Inditex’s integrated approach to customer experience. By seamlessly merging online and in-store shopping, the company creates a unified and cohesive experience that allows customers to transition effortlessly between both platforms. This omnichannel strategy ensures that whether customers shop online or in physical stores, they receive the same level of service and product availability. With the launch of Zara Streaming — starting in China and expanding to the United States, Canada, Spain, and other countries — the company aims to continue to provide customers with an immersive experience that complements their physical stores.
“Óscar García Maceiras’ focus on internal competition as Inditex’s greatest rival really resonated with me,” said Iñigo Gabriel Llamado (MiM’25), one of the students who attended the event. “It highlights the importance of driving innovation and raising standards within the company, pushing each employee to outperform their previous efforts every day.”