Isak Andic, the founder and nonexecutive chairman of apparel retailer Mango, died in an accident on Saturday, the company announced in a statement.
“He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company,” Mango’s CEO Toni Ruiz said in a statement. “His legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human quality, his proximity and the care and affection that he always had and at all times conveyed to the entire organization.”
Andic, 71, was fatally injured while hiking, a company spokesperson confirmed to Retail Dive. He was hiking with family near Barcelona when he fell to his death, according to multiple media reports. Born in Istanbul in 1953, Andic moved to Barcelona with his family when he was 14 and worked in the fashion, wholesale and retail sectors before he founded Mango in 1984, the company said in a biography.
Mango offers men’s, women’s, kids and teen apparel and accessories, along with home and seasonal decor. The company ended 2023 with total revenue of 3.1 billion euros (about $3.3 billion at press time), with 33% of its business coming from its online channel.
In recent years, Mango has been in expansion mode. Mango added a home offering in 2021, expanding into categories such as living room, bedroom, bathroom and home textiles, and named a new director of the business in June. At the beginning of this year, the retailer said it wants to open 500 new stores by 2026, including many in the U.S. as it targets expansion in key markets.
Earlier this month, Mango said it exceeded its goal of opening 40 owned stores in the U.S. this year. Next year, Mango said it plans to open more than 20 new U.S. locations, including in Chicago, Las Vegas and Seattle, ultimately expanding its footprint to 65 U.S. stores by the end of 2025.
The retailer has 2,800 stores in over 120 markets and more than 15,500 employees.
