The leader of retail apparel market in Lithuania and the Baltic States Apranga Group successfully continues collaboration with the global leader of retail apparel market Inditex Group. Apranga Group and Inditex have signed franchise agreements on expansion of Zara chain in the Baltic States until 2012, and have signed franchise agreement on development of new Stradivarius chain in Lithuania. The collaboration between Apranga Group and Inditex has stared in 2004. First Zara chain store in the Baltic States was opened in August 2007, first Bershka chain store - in February 2006, first Pull and Bear chain store - in August 2006, and first Stradivarius - in April 2008. Currently Apranga Group runs 21 stores of Inditex chain: 9 Zara, 7 Bershka, 4 Pull and Bear and 1 Stradivarius (will open tomorrow). The general area of these stores is 20.6 thousand sq. m. Apranga Group plans to open at least 30 new Inditex chain stores in the Baltic States until 2012. The net sales of Inditex Group were EUR 9.4 billion in 2007, and have increased by 15% during the year. There were 3691 “Inditex” group stores opened in 68 countries of the world on 31 January 2008, 455 of which were operated under franchise agreements. The net sales of franchise stores comprised 13% of the total “Inditex” group's net sales. Shares of Apranga are listed on Baltic equity list on Vilnius Stock Exchange. Majority shareholder of Apranga Group is concern MG Baltic. Rimantas Perveneckas Apranga Group General Manager +370 5 2390801