What: John Lewis Partnership appoints Helen Webb as chief people officer, bringing extensive HR leadership experience from major UK retailers.

Why it is important: The move underscores the importance of people strategy and partner engagement in sustaining John Lewis’s unique ownership model.

John Lewis Partnership has named Helen Webb as its new chief people officer, effective 24 November, marking a significant leadership transition for the retailer. Webb brings a wealth of HR experience from her previous roles at Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, and most recently as chief people officer at WH Smith. She succeeds Jo Rackham, who served as interim chief people officer for the past 18 months. Chairman Jason Tarry emphasised Webb’s role in shaping the partnership’s people strategy and nurturing its distinctive partner culture, which is central to the company’s employee-owned model. Webb expressed her commitment to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and feel a sense of belonging. This appointment comes as John Lewis prepares to recruit a record 13,700 temporary staff for the upcoming golden quarter, highlighting the ongoing importance of talent management and engagement. The move signals John Lewis’s continued investment in its people and its commitment to maintaining a strong, values-driven workplace culture.

IADS Notes: Helen Webb’s appointment as chief people officer at John Lewis Partnership reflects a broader trend of leadership transitions in retail, as seen in October 2024 with CEO changes at major retailers (Retail Gazette) and the January 2025 focus on trusted, experienced executives to restore confidence (Fortune). Her extensive HR background aligns with the sector’s emphasis on integrating diverse experience for strategic renewal, as demonstrated by recent hires at John Lewis and M&S in June and September 2025 (Drapers; Retail Week). The significance of HR leadership is further highlighted by Lotte Department Store’s transformation in August 2025 (The Chosun Daily) and the industry-wide move toward value-driven employment practices in May 2025 (The Retail Bulletin). John Lewis’s employee ownership model continues to set a benchmark for engagement and performance, a point reinforced by The Entertainer’s adoption of a similar structure in September 2025 (Retail Week) and ongoing discussions about trust and values in retail.

John Lewis names new chief people officer

What: Galeries Lafayette has blocked Shein’s entry into its SGM-affiliated stores, citing brand values and contractual obligations.

Why it is important: Galeries Lafayette’s stance highlights the risk of alienating premium brands and damaging long-standing retail relationships.

Galeries Lafayette’s firm opposition to Shein’s entry into its SGM-affiliated provincial stores marks a critical moment for the French retail sector, reflecting the heightened sensitivity around brand image and the preservation of long-standing industry relationships. The group’s leadership, under Nicolas Houzé, swiftly rejected the installation of Shein spaces, emphasizing that ultra-fast fashion is incompatible with the values and contractual standards of the Galeries Lafayette brand. This move comes amid a wave of criticism from French fashion federations, who argue that such partnerships threaten the creative and qualitative heritage of French retail. The controversy echoes recent industry turbulence, including the backlash and legal disputes surrounding Pimkie’s alliance with Shein, which led to Pimkie’s expulsion from retail associations. These events underscore the operational and governance challenges inherent in multi-brand retail networks, where franchisees and franchisors must navigate complex affiliations and safeguard their reputations. Ultimately, Galeries Lafayette’s decision signals a broader industry pushback against ultra-fast fashion’s disruptive influence and a renewed commitment to protecting premium brand relationships.

IADS Notes: The dispute between Galeries Lafayette and SGM over Shein’s entry into affiliated department stores is emblematic of the broader tensions shaping the French retail landscape. Shein’s push for permanent physical spaces, as reported in October 2025 (“Shein to launch first permanent physical stores in French department stores”, Fashion Network), has ignited controversy not only due to its ultra-fast fashion model but also because of the reputational and regulatory risks it brings, including a €40 million fine for deceptive pricing in July 2025 (“Shein fined €40m for deceptive pricing in France”, Fashion Network). The backlash from industry federations mirrors the legal and reputational turmoil seen in the Pimkie-Shein partnership in September 2025 (“Pimkie and Shein Partnership: Mulliez family announces legal action”, Le Figaro; “Pimkie expelled from French retail associations”, Fashion Network), which resulted in Pimkie’s expulsion from retail associations and underscored the sector’s resistance to alliances with controversial e-commerce giants. These developments highlight the operational and contractual complexities faced by department store networks, as illustrated by the April 2025 indictment of a Galeries Lafayette franchisee partner (“Galeries Lafayette’s franchisee partner indicted for misuse of corporate assets”, Fashion Network), and raise concerns about the potential erosion of relationships with premium brands that underpin the value and image of iconic French retail institutions.

Galeries Lafayette Group wants to block Shein’s entry into its SGM-affiliated stores

What: Freiburg’s Fashion & Food Festival boosted downtown foot traffic and retail engagement through collaborative city and retailer initiatives.

Why it is important: The festival’s success demonstrates how experiential events and extended hours can increase customer engagement and support downtown retail.

Freiburg’s Fashion & Food Festival transformed the city centre into a lively stage for fashion, food, and community engagement, drawing large crowds despite challenging weather. Organised by Gemeinsam Freiburg e.V. and the city’s economic and tourism agency, the event showcased the power of partnership between local government and retailers. Over two days, more than 40 fashion shows, culinary offerings, and interactive activities—from magic shows to guided tours—invigorated the city’s retail landscape. Breuninger, a key department store, played a prominent role with curated runway presentations, in-store entertainment, and extended opening hours, underscoring the importance of experiential retail in attracting visitors and increasing dwell time. The festival’s collaborative approach not only enhanced the city’s appeal but also demonstrated how coordinated efforts can drive foot traffic and energise local commerce. This model of partnership and event-driven engagement is increasingly vital for urban retail, as it fosters a sense of community and positions the city centre as a destination for both shopping and social experiences.

IADS Notes: Recent industry developments confirm the effectiveness of such collaborative and experiential strategies. In March 2025, US department stores were noted for abandoning downtown locations, but those investing in community engagement and mixed-use redevelopment are finding new relevance (The Robin Report, March 2025). Simon Property Group’s December 2024 results showed that experiential retail and local events significantly increased mall traffic (WWD, December 2024). Santa Monica’s March 2025 transformation into an entertainment hub (Los Angeles Times, March 2025), and Printemps’ focus on dwell time in New York (BoF, March 2025), further illustrate how experiential programming and extended hours can revitalise urban retail. Department stores that prioritise innovation and community-focused experiences, as highlighted in April 2025 (The Retail Bulletin, April 2025), continue to thrive in a changing retail landscape.

Breuninger’s Fashion & Food festival in Freiburg, a customer magnet