What: The Spanish department store group El Corte Inglés wins a series of major Ministry of Defense tenders, strengthening its position in the textile and public procurement sectors.

Why it is important: The group’s ability to secure major tenders reflects a broader trend of retail diversification and adaptation amid changing economic conditions.

El Corte Inglés has secured more than €50 million in contracts from the Spanish Ministry of Defense within a single month, marking its most significant public sector wins in six years. These contracts, which include supplying uniforms, footwear, and accessories for the Army, were awarded through a consortium with leading textile manufacturers and reinforce the retailer’s leadership in the sector. The deals come as Spain increases its defense spending, with the government targeting 2% of GDP by the end of 2025. While El Corte Inglés is well known for its commercial retail operations, these public contracts highlight its strategic diversification and ability to adapt to new market opportunities. The company’s collaboration with long-established partners such as Fábrica Española de Confecciones, Iturri, and Yuma further demonstrates the strength of its supply chain and expertise in fulfilling large-scale government tenders. Despite these successes, the bulk of El Corte Inglés’s revenue continues to come from its core retail business, underscoring the complementary nature of its public procurement activities.

IADS Notes: El Corte Inglés’s recent success in securing over €50 million in defense contracts with the Spanish Ministry of Defense reflects the group’s broader transformation and strategic repositioning throughout 2024 and 2025. As detailed by America Retail in February 2025, the company has implemented a comprehensive strategy combining store renovations, digital expansion, and management restructuring, while maintaining its reputation as one of Spain’s most trusted brands (Modaes, January 2025). The group’s robust financial performance is further supported by a €3 billion investment plan through 2030, as reported by Modaes and Fashion Network in July 2025, and a real estate portfolio valued at €15.7 billion (Modaes, July 2025). These developments underscore El Corte Inglés’s ability to diversify revenue streams beyond traditional retail, leveraging public procurement and strategic partnerships with specialized manufacturers to reinforce its leadership in the Spanish market. The company’s ongoing transformation, including operational efficiency initiatives and digital innovation (Economia Digital, June 2025), positions it as a resilient and adaptable player amid shifting market dynamics and increased government spending.

El Corte Inglés secures contracts with the Spanish army

What: Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman of The Mall Group, is named to Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women Asia 2025” list for her transformative leadership in retail and cultural innovation.

Why it is important: Her achievements demonstrate how visionary leadership and inclusivity can drive both commercial success and societal impact in retail.

Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman of The Mall Group, has once again been recognized on Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women Asia 2025” list, underscoring her pivotal role in shaping Thailand’s retail landscape. Over four decades, she has led the development of landmark destinations such as Siam Paragon and the Em District, transforming them into internationally acclaimed retail and cultural hubs. Supaluck’s leadership extends beyond commercial achievement; she has championed diversity, equality, and inclusivity, notably through initiatives like the LOVE PRIDE ♡ PARADE, Asia’s largest Pride Month celebration. Her vision positions The Mall Group as a “Space of Inspiration,” advancing Thailand’s soft power and supporting Bangkok’s ambition to become Asia’s Entertainment Hub. Supaluck’s sustained recognition highlights her influence as a trailblazer for women in business, her commitment to digital transformation, and her ability to foster both economic growth and social progress within the retail sector.

IADS Notes: Supaluck Umpujh’s recognition as one of Asia’s most powerful women by Fortune in September 2025 (Monocle) and her Lifetime Achievement Award at the Retail Leaders Circle Global Forum in February 2025 (Press Release) underscore her transformative impact on Thailand’s retail sector. Under her leadership, The Mall Group has pioneered experiential retail and cultural integration, as Inside Retail highlighted in January 2025, positioning Bangkok’s malls as cultural destinations that attract both local and international audiences. This strategy is further evidenced by Siam Paragon’s $39 million investment in immersive attractions (Inside Retail, September 2025), reinforcing the city’s status as a global retail and tourism hub. The Mall Group’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity aligns with broader industry trends, as discussed in Retail Dive and LEADNetwork in February 2025, where inclusive leadership is increasingly recognized as a driver of business growth and resilience. The Asian Retail Outlook 2025 (Inside Retail, February 2025) and BCG’s April 2025 analysis confirm that digital transformation, visionary leadership, and cultural influence are now central to the evolution and competitiveness of leading retail groups in the region.

Supaluck Umpujh Named to Fortune's Most Powerful Women Asia List for Second Consecutive Year

What: Galeries Lafayette partners with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. to open its first Indian flagship in Mumbai, marking a major entry into the country’s luxury market.

Why it is important: The move demonstrates the strategic importance of India for international department stores seeking growth beyond mature markets.

Galeries Lafayette has entered the Indian market through a partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. (ABFRL), opening a flagship store in Mumbai that will feature 250 international and local luxury and premium brands. This initiative is designed to capitalize on Mumbai’s status as India’s wealthiest city and to introduce a new wave of premiumisation to Indian consumers. The store will offer a comprehensive luxury experience, including private lounges, concierge services, personal styling, and curated cultural programs, making high-end retail more accessible and appealing to a broader audience. ABFRL’s strategy, as explained by its international CEO, is to ease consumers into luxury by providing a multi-brand environment that feels less intimidating than single-brand boutiques. Plans are also underway for a second store in Delhi’s DLF Emporio mall and an e-commerce platform to reach affluent customers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This partnership underscores the growing appeal of India’s luxury market and the importance of local alliances for global retailers.

IADS Notes: Galeries Lafayette’s entry into India in partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. (ABFRL) reflects a broader trend of international department store expansion into high-growth markets, as highlighted by Fashion Network in July 2025. This move aligns with the premiumisation wave sweeping India’s retail sector, where ABFRL has already established a strong presence through multi-brand concepts like The Collective and strategic investments in both international and homegrown luxury labels (Fashion Network, March 2025). The Mumbai flagship’s focus on experiential retail—offering private lounges, concierge services, and curated cultural programs—mirrors the evolution of department stores into lifestyle and cultural destinations, a trend noted by Inside Retail in June 2025. The partnership also demonstrates the increasing importance of local conglomerates in facilitating global luxury brands’ market entry and adaptation, as seen in ABFRL’s joint ventures with Christian Louboutin and its expansion of Indian designer brands internationally (Fashion Network, March 2025). Galeries Lafayette’s planned e-commerce launch and second store in Delhi further underscore the strategic emphasis on omnichannel growth and the targeting of affluent consumers in both metropolitan and emerging cities.

Aditya Birla celebrates their partnership with Galeries Lafayette by opening the Mumbai store