What: Bloomingdale’s is investing heavily in store renovations and customer experience modernisation to reinforce its premium positioning and adapt to evolving retail standards.

Why it is important: The strategy demonstrates how premium positioning and customer-centric innovation can drive sustained growth in a competitive market.

Bloomingdale’s is embarking on a significant transformation under CEO Olivier Bron, focusing on extensive store renovations, the introduction of new brands, and a comprehensive modernisation of the customer experience. This initiative is designed to restore Bloomingdale’s reputation as a destination beyond shopping, emphasising experiential retail, food and beverage integration, and a reinvigorated brand strategy. Bron’s approach draws on his international experience, aiming to elevate Bloomingdale’s to global standards and differentiate it from competitors facing operational and financial challenges. The retailer’s strong balance sheet and support from parent company Macy’s Inc. enable these ambitious investments, while its core focus remains on the premium, contemporary, and luxury segments. The strategy also leverages digital innovation and localized product customization, areas where U.S. department stores excel, yet Bron acknowledges the need to close the gap with leading international stores in customer experience. Early results, including record-high net promoter scores and positive sales trends, suggest that Bloomingdale’s is successfully redefining its value proposition for both customers and brand partners. 

IADS Notes: Olivier Bron’s leadership has already produced strong sales growth and improved customer engagement, as seen in July 2025 (McKinsey) and September 2025 (WWD), with Bloomingdale’s outperforming through its focus on experiential retail and premium positioning. The retailer’s digital partnerships and omnichannel strategies, highlighted in December 2024 (Retail Dive), align with broader industry trends toward innovation and customer-centricity. This transformation echoes the April 2025 observation (The Retail Bulletin) that department stores investing in experience and modernisation are best positioned for future success, while the July 2025 comparison with international benchmarks (The Wall Street Journal) underscores the importance of evolving beyond traditional retail models.

Olivier Bron on elevating Bloomingdale’s customer experience

What: Falabella launches Beauty F, a new cosmetics and personal care store in Santiago, Chile, inspired by international models like Sephora and ULTA Beauty.

Why it is important: The launch highlights the strategic importance of brand curation and immersive experiences in driving growth and differentiation within the competitive beauty sector.

Falabella has introduced Beauty F, a new retail concept in Santiago’s Plaza Vespucio mall, marking a significant evolution in its approach to beauty and personal care. Drawing inspiration from global leaders such as Sephora and ULTA Beauty, Beauty F consolidates a diverse array of viral and international brands under one roof, offering consumers a comprehensive and engaging shopping experience. This initiative moves beyond traditional brand corners, instead creating dedicated spaces for each brand and emphasising both accessibility and exclusivity. The store’s assortment includes both affordable and premium lines, with anticipated launches from globally recognised names like Fenty Beauty and Rare Beauty. This strategy not only strengthens Falabella’s position in a rapidly expanding market—where Chile leads Latin America in per capita beauty consumption—but also responds to shifting consumer expectations for curated, experiential retail environments. By integrating local and international brands and focusing on immersive experiences, Falabella is reinforcing its leadership in a sector characterised by robust growth and intense competition. 

IADS Notes:  Falabella’s launch of Beauty F reflects a broader trend in global beauty retail, as seen in September 2025 with immersive, omnichannel events in Colombia (“Falabella introduces The House of Beauty in Colombia,” Fashion Network, September 2025) and curated brand launches in Lima (“Falabella presents three Colombian fashion brands,” Fashion Network, November 2025). The economic significance of the beauty segment is underscored by up to 7% revenue growth for Latin American department stores in early 2025 (“Latin American department stores achieved 7% revenue growth in 2025 Q1,” Modaes, September 2025), while the transformation of in-store experiences at retailers like Nordstrom and John Lewis confirms the importance of immersive, multi-brand environments for attracting younger, trend-driven consumers (“Nordstrom overhauls its Beauty space in NYC,” WWD, August 2025; “John Lewis unveils new beauty hall concept in Liverpool,” The Retail Bulletin, August 2025).

Falabella launches Beauty F, a new cosmetics and personal care concept

What: Harold Israel is appointed Director of Specialised Activities at Galeries Lafayette Paris to accelerate strategic growth in private label, e-commerce, and jewelry.

Why it is important: This appointment reinforces Galeries Lafayette’s commitment to strategic transformation and aligns with recent investment and modernisation initiatives.

Galeries Lafayette Paris has appointed Harold Israel as Director of Specialised Activities, a newly created executive role reporting directly to CEO Arthur Lemoine and joining the executive committee. This strategic move is designed to accelerate the development of key business areas, including the Galeries Lafayette private label, the commercial activity of the galerieslafayette.com website, and the jewellery and watch category. With over thirty years of experience in luxury, fashion, and retail, Israel brings a global perspective and deep sector expertise, having held leadership roles at Cartier, A.P.C., Marc Jacobs, and Berluti. His appointment is part of a broader strategy to modernise the department store’s offer and strengthen its omnichannel approach, leveraging both heritage and innovation. The creation of this role and the integration of Israel into the leadership team reflect Galeries Lafayette’s ambition to drive growth, enrich the customer experience, and secure its position as a leader in the evolving retail landscape. 

IADS Notes: The appointment of Harold Israel as Director of Specialised Activities at Galeries Lafayette Paris marks a significant step in the retailer’s ongoing transformation, aligning with the company’s €400 million investment plan announced in November 2024 (Challenges) and detailed in February 2025 (Le Figaro). This strategic move is part of a broader effort to modernise the store network, enhance the omnichannel experience, and accelerate growth in key categories such as private label, e-commerce, and jewellery, as highlighted by the store’s double-digit growth and investment strategy in July 2025 (Fashion Network). The leadership renewal, including recent executive appointments and the strengthening of the management team in July and September 2025 (WWD), underscores Galeries Lafayette’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence. These organisational changes are designed to support the retailer’s ambition to remain at the forefront of global retail, blending tradition with forward-looking strategies and leveraging international expertise to drive both domestic and international expansion.

Galeries Lafayette appoints Harold Israel as Specialised Activities Director

Galeries Lafayette Names Harold Israel Director of Specialized Activities