What: Sfera is undergoing a store network renovation and will launch its updated retail format in Mexico next year.

Why it is important: Leadership changes and continued store growth at Sfera underscore the group’s resilience and evolving approach to retail management.

Sfera, the fashion chain owned by El Corte Inglés, is in the midst of a comprehensive store renovation plan that began in 2025 and will extend into 2026, including a significant launch of its new retail format in Mexico. This initiative follows the recent introduction of the updated concept in key Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Bilbao, and Valladolid, and marks a strategic effort to rejuvenate the brand’s image and customer experience. Sfera closed the 2024 fiscal year with 529 stores, a steady increase over previous years, highlighting the brand’s sustained expansion both domestically and internationally. The company’s approach combines company-owned stores in core markets with franchised operations abroad, allowing for flexible growth. Since late 2023, Ángela Goitia has led Sfera’s store and expansion strategy, bringing experience from Parfois and supporting the group’s broader transformation. El Corte Inglés’s robust financial performance and recent leadership restructuring further reinforce its commitment to innovation and operational agility, positioning Sfera for continued growth and relevance in the evolving retail landscape.

IADS Notes: El Corte Inglés’s transformation strategy has been evident through significant investments in store innovation and customer experience, as seen in the Gen Z-focused pop-up in Madrid and a €428 million upgrade (Modaes, May 2025). Sfera’s international growth, particularly in Mexico, aligns with the group’s expansion model, with 65% of stores now outside Spain and Portugal (Modaes, July 2025). Leadership changes, including the creation of a Transformation Office and internal promotions (El Confidencial, March 2025; Modaes, October 2025), have strengthened the company’s modernization efforts, supported by a 4.3% like-for-like growth in FY2024-25 (Press Release, June 2025).

El Corte Inglés to expand Sfera into Mexico in 2026