What: Beymen Tersane, located in Istanbul, is presented by the IADS (International Association of Department Stores) as a unique expert platform in the world of department stores. This presentation showcases a high-end retail space divided into 8 galleries (represented by the "G" prefix in the report) to guide the user through a curated luxury experience

Why is it important: This visit offers a window into a sophisticated retail model where historical industrial architecture meets modern luxury clienteling. The store is situated in a restored shipyard area, utilizing monumental stone arches, exposed brickwork, and vaulted ceilings to create a dramatic shopping environment that integrates heritage with high-end commerce.

The store's significance lies in its gallery-based operating system which segments the 33,000-square-metre logic into distinct zones. It houses a curated mix of top luxury brands, including dedicated sections for Alaïa, Bottega Veneta, Maison Margiela, and Chanel. Large-scale suspended art installations and the G9 Contemporary Gallery merge the shopping experience with cultural exploration. Furthermore, the G5 Beauty Gallery and Beymen Beauty Studio offer specialized services alongside premium brands like Xerjoff. The use of premium materials, such as veined marble pedestals and metallic spiral staircases, reinforces the store's premium positioning across all levels.

Check out the photos of Beymen Tersane

What: Galeries Lafayette Mumbai represents the iconic French department store's first major entry into the Indian luxury market. Located in the historic district of South Mumbai, the store is housed across two heritage buildings, including the former Philips Antiques building, which have been meticulously restored and connected. This flagship brings a distinct Parisian flair to India, offering a curated selection of international luxury houses alongside celebrated Indian designers.

Why it is important: The opening of Galeries Lafayette in Mumbai is a strategic milestone that highlights the growing importance of India as a global luxury destination. It demonstrates a sophisticated localization strategy where the "Art de Vivre" of Paris is adapted to the vibrant cultural context of Mumbai. 

The store's importance lies in its architectural dialogue between neo-classical European styles and Indian heritage, creating a unique backdrop for premium retail. By offering exclusive services such as personal shopping and high-end gastronomy, Galeries Lafayette aims to redefine the luxury landscape in India. This project showcases how international retail leaders are investing in heritage preservation and local partnerships to build strong, culturally resonant brand identities in emerging markets.

Check out the photos of Galeries Lafayette Mumbai

What: De Bijenkorf Rotterdam is a flagship store located in the heart of the city, recognized as a historical and architectural landmark. Rebuilt after World War II, the store was designed by the architect Marcel Breuer and is a prime example of modernist architecture. The presentation highlights the store's evolution and its role as a premier destination for luxury shopping in the Netherlands.

Why it is important: This visit illustrates the successful integration of a heritage-protected architectural icon with a contemporary, high-end retail strategy. De Bijenkorf has navigated the challenges of a rigid structural layout by creating open, light-filled spaces that emphasize a premium customer journey. 

The store's significance lies in its "premium experience" model, which combines exclusive luxury brands with a strong focus on sustainability and local community engagement. It features a diverse range of departments, from high-end fashion and beauty to home and gastronomy, all unified by a consistent elevated aesthetic. The focus is on creating an inspiring environment where retail meets culture, utilizing the building's unique Brutalist character to differentiate itself in the European market.

Check out the photos of De Bijenkorf Rotterdam

What: Hyundai Department Store Apgujeong, Seoul's first Hyundai flagship opened in 1985, was visited by IADS member CEOs during the Mid-year meeting in June 2025 — generating more questions than any other stop on the tour. The pic report is ready for you, enjoy!

Why it is important: This visit offers a rare window into the operating logic of Korean premium retail, where VIC economics are not a niche strategy but a market-wide system. With ultra-high spend thresholds, hard benefits and cross-partner reciprocity built into every major chain, Korea has quietly developed the world's most sophisticated VIC architecture — and Hyundai Apgujeong, small but razor-sharp, is its clearest illustration.

The 33,000-square-metre store spans six floors across B2 to 4F, housing a curated mix of approximately 60 top luxury brands on the ground and first floors — including Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Cartier — alongside a 6,750 sqm premium food hall renovated in 2023 ("Gastro Table"), a boutique cultural space (CH 1985), and dedicated VIC lounges extending to a rooftop garden with a private Atelier bar. Despite its modest footprint by Seoul standards, the store has exceeded KRW 1 trillion in annual sales every year since 2021, reaching KRW 1.2 trillion (€0.75bn) in 2024 — ranking 7th in Korea. The secret lies not in the lounges themselves, but in the operating system behind them: priority allocation of constrained luxury SKUs, appointment-based clienteling, and reciprocity platforms extending benefits abroad through partners such as Hankuku. At Apgujeong, qualifying for Jasmin status requires €42,000 in annual spend; Jasmin Black demands €94,000 — and in Korea, that bar is not exceptional. It is standard.

Check out the photos of Hyundai Department Store Apgujeong

What: Sogo & Seibu completed the first full renovation of its Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, reopening in stages from January 2025 under new ownership, with the final floors unveiled in autumn. IADS visited in December 2025 to document the transformation — the pic report is ready for you, enjoy!

Why it is important: This landmark renovation repositions one of Tokyo's most iconic department stores for a new era, dismantling traditional gender-segregated floors in favour of unified, inclusive shopping spaces — a bold strategic template for premium department store reinvention in one of Asia's most competitive retail markets.

The ~48,000-square-metre store features approximately 380 shops across a fully redesigned building shaped by the "Maison" architectural concept, evoking class, sophistication, and art. Its luxury section brings together around 60 top global brands in gender-neutral spaces 1.3 times larger than before, while an expanded cosmetics floor — 1.7 times its previous size — hosts around 60 domestic and international brands including Prada and Dior. The basement deli anchors the lower levels with approximately 180 shops, the upper floors house an art salon, and a strengthened private sales service rounds out the offer — cementing Seibu Ikebukuro's position as the premium gateway to Toshima Ward, one of Tokyo's most dynamic cultural districts.

See inside the renovated Seibu Ikebukuro

What: IADS reveals its annual overview of department stores’ festive window displays across the world, showcasing creative concepts that blend artistry, storytelling, and innovation for the 2025 season.

Why it is important: Holiday windows remain a benchmark for visual retail excellence, reflecting how department stores combine tradition and modernity to inspire and engage global audiences.

IADS Notes: This annual selection confirms the continued relevance of window displays as both a creative and strategic expression of department store identity, evolving with new materials, digital elements, and sustainability-driven design.

Check out the photos of  2025 Holiday Windows Report

What: London’s 2025 Christmas retail season is defined by immersive experiences, creative partnerships, and sustainability, with Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason leading the way.

Why it is important: The integration of experiential retail, visual storytelling, and community activations highlights the evolving strategies retailers use to attract and delight customers during peak periods.

London’s Christmas retail scene in 2025 is a vibrant showcase of experiential innovation, creative collaborations, and sustainability. Selfridges, in partnership with Disney, transformed its store into a festive wonderland, captivating shoppers with an 11-metre Disney Castle, themed windows, and in-store events that blend nostalgia with retail theatre. The experience extended throughout the store, from Disney-themed delicacies and fashion to interactive performances and the much-anticipated ‘Confetti Spectacular.’ Fortnum & Mason drew crowds with its advent calendar facade and artist-designed windows, each telling a unique festive story, while the Christmas shop overflowed with seasonal treats and gifts. Community-driven initiatives like The Gingerbread City at Coal Drops Yard and the transformation of St Christopher’s Place into ‘St Christmas Place’ fostered local engagement and festive spirit. Sustainability was also at the forefront, with concepts like The London Christmas Tree Rental and Who Gives a Crap’s holiday packaging offering eco-friendly alternatives. Across the city, retailers used visual merchandising, curated gift zones, and immersive displays to create memorable experiences and drive holiday excitement.

IADS Notes: London’s 2025 Christmas retail season is a showcase of experiential innovation, creative partnerships, and sustainability, as confirmed by recent IADS sources. Selfridges’ major collaboration with Disney (Fashion Network, September 2025) transformed the store into an immersive festive destination, blending nostalgia, exclusive products, and interactive events—a strategy that exemplifies the growing importance of storytelling and experiential retail in driving engagement. This approach is part of Selfridges’ broader 2025 strategy (WWD, January 2025), which prioritizes exclusive partnerships, immersive experiences, and sustainability, as seen in its ReSelfridges circularity program and artist-led window displays. Fortnum & Mason’s autumn windows (Retail Week, September 2025) further highlight the integration of recycled materials and artistic collaboration, reinforcing the role of sustainability and creative reuse in visual merchandising. Bloomingdale’s and Burberry’s holiday partnership (WWD, November 2025) and John Lewis’s launch of new in-store hospitality offerings (Retail Week, December 2025) illustrate how leading retailers are leveraging exclusive collaborations, multi-channel engagement, and hospitality to differentiate themselves and boost customer loyalty during the festive period. Collectively, these sources confirm that London’s top retailers are setting new standards for holiday retail by blending tradition with innovation, community engagement, and a strong focus on memorable, sustainable experiences.

A selection of London Christmas windows

What: In Saudi Arabia’s fast-evolving retail landscape, Riyadh stands at the crossroads between souks and supermalls. From traditional hubs like Olaya and Panorama to experiential destinations such as VIA Riyadh or Solitaire, malls are multiplying—but true department stores remain rare.

Why it is important: As Vision 2030 accelerates new consumer behaviours, the city’s retail scene highlights both the potential and the challenge of bringing the department store format to Saudi Arabia. The market is ripe for a reimagined model defined by experience, storytelling, and curation rather than scale.

IADS Notes: Current experiments, from Harvey Nichols Riyadh to Al Rubaiyat, show that the department store’s full potential is yet to be unlocked. In this dynamic market, the next opportunity lies in creating a space that unites curation, service, and experience—something neither the souk nor the mall can fully achieve.

Check out the photos of  Riyadh Malls

What: Fortnum & Mason turns a 6,000 sqm Piccadilly flagship and food-led model into a highly profitable luxury engine, with food and drink, hampers, hospitality and selective satellites driving steady growth and nearly £230 million in annual sales.

Why it is important: By privileging focus over scale—own-label food, curated expansion, and experience-heavy floors—Fortnum & Mason shows how a niche, heritage department store can stay culturally relevant and financially resilient without chasing global rollouts.

IADS Notes: Recent investments in forecasting tech, rapid 24/7 delivery with Zapp, and a paid Friends of Fortnum’s membership underline a strategy where operational efficiency and community-building extend the brand well beyond Christmas while keeping scarcity as a strategic asset.

Check out the photos of Fortnum & Mason’s

What: Mecca has grown from a single Melbourne store in 1997 into Australasia’s leading prestige beauty retailer, operating over 100 stores and a 4,000 sqm flagship in Melbourne that combines retail, services, and education.

Why it is important: By blending exclusive brands, private labels, a powerful loyalty programme, and an experiential flagship model, Mecca shows how a regional player can rival global giants like Sephora and set new standards in beauty retail.

IADS Notes: Mecca’s trajectory confirms that beauty retail leadership now hinges on curation, education, and community-building as much as on footprint and sales, making its model a key reference for department stores rethinking their own beauty strategies.

Check out the photos of  MECCA

What: French lingerie group Etam has turned its Paris Haussmann flagship into a live lab for omnichannel retail, using a homegrown clienteling app, ship-from-store and connected fitting rooms to link stores and e-commerce around the customer journey.

Why it is important: By using technology to empower sales associates rather than replace them, Etam shows how a century-old, family-owned brand can modernise clienteling, boost conversion and rethink omnichannel incentives in ways highly relevant for department stores.

IADS Notes: Etam’s model illustrates how breaking silos between digital and retail, reallocating online turnover to stores, and equipping staff with integrated tools can turn omnichannel friction points into levers for personalisation and profitable growth.

Check out the photos of  Etam

What: IKEA’s long-awaited 5,800 sqm Oxford Street flagship translates the classic showroom–market hall–self-service model into a compact, city-centre format, supported by home delivery, planning services and digital tools like IKEA Kreativ.

Why it is important: Despite record investment and a high-profile Hus of Frakta teaser, the store prioritises operational efficiency and omnichannel practicality over bold experience, making it a revealing test case of how far a global retailer dares to innovate when prototyping urban flagships.

IADS Notes: The Oxford Street city store underlines both the strength and limits of IKEA’s formula: it successfully adapts the blue-box system to dense urban flows, yet stops short of the experiential reinvention that could match the ambition—and visibility—of its central London location.

Check out the photos of  IKEA new Oxford Street

What: Breuninger opened its first North German store in Hamburg's HafenCity on April 8, offering curated premium and affordable luxury brands across three experiential levels. The IADS prepared a pic report for you, enjoy!

Why it is important: This launch strengthens Breuninger's omnichannel strategy in a key urban market, reflecting the retailer's evolution through digital transformation and physical expansion.

The 13,000-square-metre store features exclusive brands, one of Hamburg's largest premium shoe departments, and services like Click & Collect and private shopping, making shopping an elevated experience.

Check out the photos of the new Breuninger Hamburg store

What: Printemps opened its debut U.S. location in Manhattan's Financial District on March 21st, marking a significant shift in the department store model by prioritising hospitality over traditional sales metrics.

Why it is important: This approach aims to redefine department stores by emphasiSing customer experience and dwell time, aligning with broader retail trends.

The 54,500-square-foot store features a vibrant space with food venues by chef Gregory Gourdet and a historic Red Room. It transforms shopping into a memorable experience.

Check out the photos of the new Printemps NYC store

What: Galeries Lafayette in Lyon Bron has reopened with a impressive 9,200 m² extension.

Why it is important: This renovation signifies a significant step in revitalizing the store, enhancing its offerings, and preparing for further expansion by 2026.

The iconic store, a Lyon landmark since 1964, now boasts revamped spaces and contemporary designs as part of a transformation project exceeding 100 million euros.

Check out the photos of Galeries Lafayette's revamped store

What: El Palacio de Hierro, a luxury department store chain, has officially opened its new store in León!

Why it is important: This opening highlights the brand's ongoing commitment to growth and its dedication to providing high-end consumers with a premium shopping experience in the León region.

Located inside the Plaza Mayor shopping center, the new El Palacio de Hierro spans over 18,000 square meters across three beautifully designed levels. The store features an exceptional mix of luxury brands, stunning interiors, and innovative services, including a fully operational "click&collect" point to enhance the customer experience.

This marks the 14th El Palacio de Hierro store in Mexico, further solidifying the brand's leadership in the luxury retail market.

Check out the photos of the new El Palacio de Hierro store in Leon

What: SKP has opened its fourth location in Wuhan, featuring a new luxury department store and an outdoor promenade with 44 high-end brands.

Why it is important: This expansion marks a significant development in Wuhan's luxury retail landscape, introducing over 1,000 international brands and creating a unique shopping experience focusing on sustainability and immersive design.

SKP has launched its newest luxury department store in Wuhan, located in the city's Wuchang District. The store, which includes an outdoor branded promenade called K Avenue, introduces more than 1,000 international first-tier brands to the market. Designed by Sybarite, the six-story, 2.1 million-square-foot store features innovative architecture and sustainability efforts, preserving 60 percent of the existing structure. SKP Wuhan aims to redefine the shopping experience in central China, attracting approximately 100,000 visitors daily since its soft opening on July 13. The grand opening on July 26 celebrated the store reaching its daily sales target, underscoring its potential impact on the local economy and luxury retail sector.

Check out the photos of the new SKP store in Wuhan

SKP lights up Wuhan with 'Glowing Lantern' department store and branded promenade article

What: Selfridges has opened its newly renovated beauty hall in its Oxford Street flagship store after a 12-month, multimillion-pound overhaul, featuring more than 300 beauty brands and over 200 beauty services.

Why it is important: The revamped beauty hall represents a significant enhancement in customer experience, with an emphasis on accessibility, sustainability, and immersive retail. By offering a wide range of brands and services, including exclusive and sustainable options, Selfridges reinforces its position as a leader in luxury and innovative retail.

Selfridges has unveiled its newly renovated beauty hall in its London Oxford Street store, a project completed after a year-long, multimillion-pound investment. The upgraded space features over 300 beauty brands, including 50 exclusive ones, and provides more than 200 beauty services. The renovation includes improved sightlines, a new LED lighting system, and the introduction of Beauty Spot, an area dedicated to creative and experimental beauty retail concepts. The revamped hall also emphasizes sustainability, with refill options from 74 brands and sustainable build guidelines for new counters. This launch is part of Selfridges' broader strategy to enhance customer experience and promote innovative, sustainable retail practices.

Check out the collection of pictures here

Selfridges unveils revamped beauty hall in London flagship

What: Manor's new fashion concept debuts in Lausanne, offering customers a modern store design, exclusive brands, and thematic fashion zones for a dynamic shopping experience.

Why it is important: This launch is a pivotal element of Manor's modernisation efforts, aiming to elevate the shopping experience in Lausanne and attract fashion-forward customers with diverse style preferences.

Manor has unveiled its cutting-edge fashion concept in Lausanne as part of a significant modernisation initiative aimed at transforming the shopping experience. Starting from 30 October 2024, the newly designed store introduces customers to an inspiring environment with a fresh store design, an expanded selection of brands, and themed fashion worlds—Contemporary, Casual, and Classic. This approach allows fashion enthusiasts to explore trends and find outfits that reflect their unique styles.

The Lausanne store showcases a carefully curated range of international brands, including Maje, Samsøe Samsøe, and Drykorn, with some labels available exclusively in Switzerland. Manor's 360-degree customer experience integrates digital platforms such as the manor.ch web shop and the Manor app, ensuring a seamless and engaging shopping journey.

Customers can enjoy exclusive promotions, styling advice, and events like DJ sets and drinks, creating a vibrant and interactive atmosphere. Roland Armbruster, CEO of Manor, highlighted the company's commitment to providing enriching lifestyle experiences and reinforcing its position in the upper mid-range fashion market.

This launch in Lausanne is part of Manor's broader strategy to modernise its fashion areas in 12 large department stores across Switzerland, with a significant investment aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement. The innovative approach in Lausanne sets a precedent for further expansions, promising a unique and personalised experience for every visitor.

Check out the photos of the modern concept at Manor in Laussane

Manor reveals new fashion concept

What: Manor has launched its innovative fashion concept in Basel, offering a refreshed shopping experience featuring a modern store design, new brand portfolio, and themed fashion worlds.

Why it is important: This initiative marks a significant step in Manor's comprehensive modernisation strategy, aiming to revitalise customer engagement and enhance the brand's presence in the competitive fashion retail market.

Manor has introduced a fresh and inspiring shopping experience in Basel as part of a sweeping modernisation initiative. The revamped fashion concept showcases a visually striking store design, an expanded brand portfolio, and themed fashion worlds—Contemporary, Casual, and Classic—that cater to various style preferences. The Basel store, which began showcasing this new approach on 24 October 2024, offers customers exclusive access to international brands like American Vintage, Hugo Red, and Michael Kors, among others, reflecting Manor's commitment to bringing diverse and quality fashion to Switzerland.

The 360-degree customer experience is a cornerstone of this new concept, integrating digital communication through Manor's web shop, app, and social media channels. Customers can enjoy curated fashion selections for both men and women, along with tailored services such as personal styling advice and exclusive events. The modernised store design aims to create a welcoming and stylish atmosphere, encouraging customers to linger and explore.

Check out the photos of the modern concept at Manor in Basel

Manor reveals new fashion concept

What: A new Frasers department store has opened at Meadowhall shopping center.

Why it is important: The opening of the Frasers store marks a significant expansion for the brand, enhancing its presence in a major UK retail location and offering a wide range of products to consumers.

Frasers has launched a new department store at the Meadowhall shopping center, marking a key development in its retail strategy. This store opening is part of Frasers' effort to expand its footprint in prominent retail locations across the UK. The Meadowhall store features a diverse array of products, including fashion, beauty, and homeware, aiming to attract a broad customer base. The strategic location within Meadowhall, one of the UK's largest shopping centers, provides Frasers with substantial consumer traffic and visibility. This move underscores Frasers' commitment to strengthening its brand presence and adapting to evolving consumer preferences by offering an extensive and curated shopping experience.

Check out the photos of the new Frasers store in Meadowhall

Frasers expands with new department store at Meadowhall

What: Macy's has opened a new small format store in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

Why it is important: This new store model is part of Macy's strategy to adapt to changing retail landscapes and consumer preferences by providing a more curated shopping experience in a smaller, more manageable space. This format allows Macy's to reach suburban markets more effectively and can serve as a test for future expansion strategies.

Macy's has quietly initiated a "soft open" for its new small format store in Mount Laurel, NJ, taking over a space previously occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond. The store covers 30,000 square feet, significantly smaller than typical Macy's department stores. This store features a variety of brand apparel and includes a special section dedicated to its "On 34th" collection, which aims to bring the allure of its famed New York City flagship to suburban shoppers. Additionally, the store layout is segmented by lifestyle, including a designated area for Toys R Us, complete with a playful setup featuring Geoffrey the Giraffe. This smaller store format represents a strategic shift by Macy's to enhance accessibility and tailor its retail offerings to the local community in a more intimate shopping environment.

Check out the collection of pictures here

What: Boyner Büyük Mağazacılık has unveiled its completely renewed store at İstinyePark Istanbul, introducing a unique shopping experience themed "Sky Magic," blending fashion, lifestyle, art, and technology.

Why it is important: This launch marks a significant step in Boyner's journey to redefine retail by transforming its stores into immersive living spaces. The event, designed by Bompas & Parr, showcased a magical environment where guests explored various unique and special experiences inspired by the sky. This initiative highlights Boyner's commitment to creating enjoyable life experiences through innovative retail concepts.

The store, redesigned by Toner Architecture, spans six thousand square meters and offers exclusive collections, artist collaborations, a nail art bar, product customization, digital experience points, and coffee areas, emphasizing Boyner's focus on delivering dynamic, engaging, and enjoyable shopping experiences.

Boyner İstinyePark also features the works of artists from different fields of art, from ceramics to glass art, sculpture to mural art. The works designed by each artist using different materials such as ceramics, mirrors, wire, epoxy, waste glass and waste metal, which are special to the spirit of Boyner and the interior architectural texture of the store, create a feeling of an exhibition for the visitors.

Boyner İstinyePark Istanbul, press release

What: The Mall Group's Emsphere opens its doors to the public.

Why it is important: The aim is to develop the EM district into a distinctive urban district in Bangkok, mirroring iconic districts in Dubai, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

The complex offers 24-hour dining, entertainment, and luxury amenities. Situated on Sukhumvit Road, it caters to late-night arrivals and local night explorers. The fifth and sixth floors are dedicated to entertainment with approximately 25 pubs and bars, including beach clubs and supper clubs. Additionally, the complex features UOB Live, a 12,000sqm arena designed for events and conferences, Southeast Asia's first 12,000 sqm city-center Ikea store, and luxury car brands such as Rolls-Royce and Porsche.

Emsphere is a significant component of the 650,000 sqm EM district mega project, which also includes the shopping complexes Emporium and Emquartier.

Emsphere: Bangkok's 24-Hour "Sleepless Metropolis" unveiled by The Mall Group