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.