The owner of Zara will close 1,200 stores around the world as the clothing retailer tries to boost online sales during the coronavirus pandemic.

Inditex said it would “absorb” between 1,000 and 1,200 mainly smaller stores.

The Spanish company’s other brands include Bershka, Pull & Bear and Massimo Dutti.

Its store count will fall from 7,412 to between 6,700 and 6,900 after reorganisation, which will include the opening of 450 new shops.