Who Owns Zara, H&M, and Shein? Fast Fashion's Corporate Parents Explained
Fast fashion is a $110 billion industry controlled by a handful of companies. Here is who owns Zara, H&M, Shein, Uniqlo, and every other major fast fashion brand.
The Companies Behind Your Closet
Fast fashion generates over $110 billion in annual revenue globally. The industry moves at a pace that traditional fashion cannot match: new designs go from sketch to store in as little as two weeks. But while the brands compete fiercely for your wallet, the ownership structures behind them reveal very different corporate models.
Some fast fashion brands are owned by the world's wealthiest families. Others are venture-backed tech companies. And a few are publicly traded corporations answering to shareholders. Understanding who owns these brands helps explain their strategies, controversies, and futures.
The Major Fast Fashion Owners
Inditex (Spain) - Owner of Zara
Headquarters: Arteixo, Galicia, Spain Founder: Amancio Ortega (one of the world's richest people, net worth ~$100B+) Revenue: ~$38 billion (2025) Stock: BME: ITX (Madrid Stock Exchange)
Inditex is the world's largest fashion retailer by revenue. The company was founded by Amancio Ortega, who opened the first Zara store in 1975.
- Amancio Ortega and his family control approximately 60% of Inditex
- Zara accounts for roughly 70% of Inditex's total revenue
- Inditex's supply chain is famously fast: design to store in 2-3 weeks
- Unlike most competitors, Inditex manufactures a significant portion of its products in Spain, Portugal, and nearby countries (proximity sourcing)
H&M Group (Sweden) - Owner of H&M, COS, & Other Stories
Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden Controlling family: Persson family (Stefan Persson, son of founder Erling Persson) Revenue: ~$24 billion (2025) Stock: STO: HM-B (Stockholm Stock Exchange)
H&M Group is the second-largest fashion retailer globally. Founded in 1947 by Erling Persson, the company is controlled by the Persson family through their investment company Ramsbury Invest (~35% ownership).
H&M has faced more pressure than Inditex from ultra-fast fashion competitors (Shein, Temu) and has responded with increased investment in sustainability initiatives and its premium brands (COS, ARKET).
Shein - Privately Held (Singapore/China)
Headquarters: Singapore (incorporated), operations based in China Founder: Chris Xu (Xu Yangtian) Revenue: ~$45 billion (2025, estimated) Status: Private, IPO planned (London Stock Exchange, delayed)
- AI-driven trend identification: Algorithms monitor social media to identify trends in real time
- Ultra-fast production: New styles go from design to listing in as little as 3-7 days
- Massive SKU volume: Shein lists thousands of new products daily
- Rock-bottom pricing: Average item price of $10-15
Shein's planned London IPO (originally expected 2024-2025) has been repeatedly delayed due to regulatory scrutiny, labor practice concerns, and political opposition. The company was valued at approximately $66 billion in its last private funding round, though that valuation has been questioned.
Ownership: Shein is backed by venture capital investors including Sequoia Capital China, Tiger Global, and General Atlantic. Founder Chris Xu retains significant control.
Controversies: Shein faces ongoing criticism for alleged use of forced labor in supply chains, intellectual property theft (copying independent designers), environmental impact, and data privacy concerns. Multiple lawsuits and regulatory investigations are pending.
Fast Retailing (Japan) - Owner of Uniqlo
Headquarters: Yamaguchi (registered), Tokyo (operational), Japan Founder: Tadashi Yanai (Japan's richest person, net worth ~$40B+) Revenue: ~$23 billion (2025) Stock: TYO: 9983
Fast Retailing is the world's third-largest clothing retailer and the largest in Asia.
Uniqlo's strategy differs fundamentally from Zara and H&M. While those brands chase trends, Uniqlo focuses on timeless basics made with proprietary technology (HeatTech, AIRism, Ultra Light Down). This "LifeWear" philosophy positions Uniqlo as an alternative to fast fashion rather than a competitor within it.
Primark (Ireland) - Owned by Associated British Foods
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland Parent: Associated British Foods plc (LON: ABF) Revenue: ~$10 billion (2025)
- Twinings (tea)
- Ovaltine (malted drinks)
- Kingsmill (bread)
- Silver Spoon (sugar)
- AB Mauri (yeast and bakery ingredients)
The same company that makes your tea and bread also makes your $5 t-shirts. ABF is controlled by the Weston family, one of the wealthiest families in the UK and Canada.
Primark does not sell online, a deliberate strategy that keeps costs low but limits growth potential.
Other Notable Fashion Owners
| Brand | Owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temu (fashion) | PDD Holdings (China) | Marketplace, not a brand owner |
| Forever 21 | Authentic Brands Group / SPARC Group | Bankruptcy in 2019, now licensed |
| Gap / Old Navy / Banana Republic | Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) | Publicly traded, no controlling shareholder |
| ASOS | ASOS plc (LON: ASC) | UK-based online fashion |
| Boohoo / PrettyLittleThing / Nasty Gal | Boohoo Group (LON: BOO) | UK ultra-fast fashion group |
The Business Model Comparison
| Factor | Zara (Inditex) | H&M | Shein | Uniqlo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to market | 2-3 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 3-7 days | Seasonal (months) |
| New items/year | ~20,000 | ~15,000 | 300,000+ | ~1,000 core items |
| Avg. price point | $30-60 | $15-40 | $10-15 | $20-50 |
| Manufacturing | Near-shore (Spain, Portugal, Morocco) | Global (Asia-heavy) | China-centric | China, Vietnam, Bangladesh |
| Online share | ~30% | ~30% | 100% (online-only) | ~30% |
| Sustainability rating | Moderate | Moderate-high claims | Very low | Moderate |
The Sustainability Question
- 92 million tons of textile waste generated annually
- 10% of global carbon emissions attributed to the fashion industry
- 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton t-shirt
- Average garment worn only 7-10 times before disposal
- Inditex/Zara: Committed to 100% sustainable fabrics by 2030, near-shore manufacturing reduces transport emissions
- H&M: Extensive sustainability marketing, garment collection program, but accused of greenwashing
- Shein: Minimal sustainability commitments, massive overproduction by design
- Uniqlo: "LifeWear" philosophy emphasizes durability over disposability, but still relies on global manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Zara?
Zara is owned by Inditex, a Spanish publicly traded company controlled by the Ortega family. Founder Amancio Ortega and his family hold approximately 60% of Inditex shares. Ortega is one of the world's wealthiest individuals.
Is Shein a Chinese company?
Shein was founded in China and its supply chain is China-based. The company reincorporated in Singapore and moved some operations to diversify geographically. Ownership is private, backed by international venture capital firms.
Is H&M owned by the same company as Zara?
No. H&M is owned by H&M Group, a Swedish publicly traded company controlled by the Persson family. Zara is owned by Inditex, a Spanish company controlled by the Ortega family. They are direct competitors with no ownership connection.
Who owns Primark?
Primark is owned by Associated British Foods (ABF), a British conglomerate that also owns Twinings tea, Ovaltine, and other food brands. ABF is controlled by the Weston family.
The Bottom Line
Fast fashion is dominated by family-controlled companies (Inditex/Ortega, H&M/Persson, Fast Retailing/Yanai, ABF/Weston) and one VC-backed disruptor (Shein). Understanding the ownership behind your clothes reveals the different business philosophies, supply chain strategies, and corporate values driving the brands in your closet.
Explore fashion brand ownership on WhoBrands or browse retail brands.
Sources
1. Inditex. Annual Report 2025. 2. H&M Group. Annual Report 2025. 3. Fast Retailing. Annual Report 2025. 4. Bloomberg. "Shein Valuation and IPO." 2025-2026. 5. Associated British Foods. Annual Report 2025.
All brand ownership data verified through WhoBrands.com's research methodology. Last updated: February 6, 2026.
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