Details of the Mango Conflict: How a Change in Leadership Led to Losses. A change in leadership at Mango resulted in financial losses and internal conflicts. At the center of the events are Jonathan Andic and his father Isak. The company's story shows how personal decisions can impact business.
In 2014, Mango attempted to transfer management from its founder, Isak Andic, to his son Jonathan Andic. This step was accompanied not only by changes in leadership roles, but also by serious financial difficulties for the company. According to RUSSPAIN, it was during this period that Mango faced losses, internal confusion, and the urgent need to correct its strategy.
Jonathan Andic, the founder's eldest son, joined the company in 2005 after studying in Switzerland and the United States. Within a few years, he led the men's division, and in 2012 became the executive vice president. However, despite this formal advancement, his independence in management remained limited. Sources familiar with the situation note that his father's trust was inconsistent and that the management structure led to confusion. In 2014, Jonathan tried to introduce his own team and management style, but within a year, Isak Andic resumed active management, tightened control, and brought in new top managers.
Mango's financial performance sharply deteriorated in these years. From 2013 to 2016, the company's profit dropped more than threefold, and debt reached 617.6 million euros. The reasons included not only internal disagreements but also external challenges: increased competition, changing consumer habits, rising logistics costs, and unsuccessful investments in expanding the store network. In particular, the attempt to enter the US market through a partnership with JC Penney did not deliver the expected results.
In response to the crisis, Mango initiated a management reform: a board of directors was established, new control mechanisms were introduced, and in 2018 Toni Ruiz became CEO. Under his leadership, the company was able to regain its position, optimize costs, and achieve record financial results by 2025. During this period, Mango fully transitioned to a public company model with independent board members.
In December 2024, Isak Andic died during a walk in Montserrat, and in May 2025, Jonathan Andic was detained on suspicion of involvement in his father's death. The investigation cites a long-standing conflict between them, related to business management and financial matters. Case materials note that tensions in their relationship arose back when Jonathan held executive positions at Mango.
The story of Mango illustrates how personal decisions and family conflicts can affect the fate of a major business. It is important to note that similar situations with the transfer of management and changes in strategy also occur in other Spanish companies. For example, the impact of individual approaches on business development was explored in detail in a feature about a French sociologist who transformed the methods of electoral polling in Spain — more on this management and analysis approach.
For reference: Mango was founded in 1989 in Barcelona and over three decades has become one of the largest players in the Spanish fashion market. By 2025, the company had reached a turnover of €3.8 billion and a minimal level of debt. In recent years, Mango has been actively developing online sales and expanding its presence in international markets, including opening a flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York.
