Galeries Lafayette new women’s shoe floor

What: Recently unveiled, the new Haussmann flagship’s shoe floor has been relocated from basement to fourth floor with extended footage, making it the largest shoe department in Europe.

Why is it important: As discussed during the IADS Merchandising Meeting dedicated to Leather Goods & Shoes on 28 May, shoes are a safe bet for the future thanks to the massive casualisation happening in the market.

Circling around the base of the famous coupole dome, the new shoe floor located on the fourth floor offers new and interested features. 

Besides the mid-range, premium and luxury areas, GL brings innovation in the way brands are classified and displayed. Two large lookalike multi-brand stores (embarking new brands) are available to the customers: the ‘Designers Galerie’ gathering luxury brands such as Alaïa, Balmain or Maison Margiela, and the ‘Creative Galerie’ gathering “emerging” brands like Ganni, Rejina Pyo or Staud, both spaces being filed with natural light. Thematic sections have also been set up such as a large ‘Sneakers Galerie’, and a seasonal summer display. The floor also features several groups of fashionably-dressed mannequins reminding of Galerie Lafayette dedication to fashion and trends. 

A shoe repair/recycling station run by Veja, a Pierre Hermé macaron shop, a concierge counter and a Djula piercing station are animating the shop floor. 

Mixing hardwood and concrete floors, colours are evolving around earth tones and are emphasized with “natural” props and furniture such as terrazzo displays and benches carved in lookalike big grey rocks.