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Tokyo, Japan

3-6 July 2018

Paris, France

8-9 November 2018

About IADS

The INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION of DEPARTMENT STORES was founded in 1928 by a small number of forward-looking department store executives to exchange ideas and practices about the management of department stores. The IADS MERCHANDISE GROUP focuses on merchandise issues since its creation in 1953. Together, they provide a quality, trusted and private environment for department store top managers to meet each other, to be inspired, to share experiences and to be exposed to applicable ideas and practices.

The INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DEPARTMENT STORES maintains links with department stores and their partners around the world as well as with associations, universities, analysts, consultants, other experts and brands and suppliers. Through a programme of meetings, working groups and projects, the IADS Academy and an intranet platform, members exchange and cooperate on all areas of department store operations, and use the IADS office as a resource.

The IADS is in a unique position to capitalise on its history to provide member companies with professional, high quality and yet personalised services, contacts and ideas into the future, and help its members deal together with economic uncertainty, rapidly-changing technology, demanding customers, a wide variety of partners, and innovative competition.

Timeline

From 1920 to 1940: A Pioneering Vision

1928

Foundation of IADS office in Paris

The Retail Research Group of Department Stores was born in Europe in the course of 1928 and its office established in Paris. In 1931, the name was changed to the present International Association of Department Stores.

1936

monthly Retail News Letter

Regular overview of relevant retail news published and distributed on paper until 2006 and available online since.

1939

IADS office moves to Copenhagen

From 1940 to 1970: Years of Growth and Development

1951

IADS office moves to Geneva

1953

Creation of early ACI in Brussels

A group of IADS members set up the Association Internationale de Commerce et de Gestion (later to become the ACI Association Commerciale Internationale) in 1953 with headquarters in Brussels.

1954

publication of The Department Store by H. Pasdermadjian

The classic book on department stores written by the General Secretary of IADS.

1955

IADS office moves to Paris

At the request of the newly appointed General Secretary.

From 1970 to 2002: New Challenges and Internationalisation

1970s onward

first Australian, Asian and Latin American members

1982

ACI office moves to Copenhagen

1998

Launch of IADS website

2000 - Present: An Exclusive and Top-Quality Association

2002

Launch of ACI website

2008-2009

First meetings on sustainability and online retailing

Continues pioneering work in answer to members’ requests

2010

ACI office moves to Paris

In 2010, offices moved to Paris and the ACI was integrated as an affinity group of IADS allowing some cooperation but maintaining a degree of autonomy.

2012

Launch of IADS-ACI joint website

To be relaunched in 2017.

2014

New format IADS Academy launched

Young potentials from IADS companies work together on 3-month project presented to CEOs.

International Association of Department Stores