What: Nuno Serra Santos has been appointed director of El Corte Inglés Portugal, following record results for the group’s Portuguese operations in 2024-2025.

Why it is important: This transition highlights the role of leadership renewal and talent development in sustaining growth and operational excellence for department stores in competitive markets.

El Corte Inglés Portugal has announced a leadership transition, with Nuno Serra Santos taking over as director after the group posted record results in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The Portuguese operations achieved €622 million in revenue and a 33% increase in profit, reflecting the strength of the department store model and the group’s diversified presence, which includes an outlet, supermarkets, and distribution centres. The outgoing director, Enrique Hidalgo Miralles, will now oversee sales for both Spain and Portugal, signalling a strategic focus on cross-market integration and leadership development within the Iberian group. These changes come as El Corte Inglés continues to outperform the broader retail market in Portugal, leveraging operational excellence, local adaptation, and a diversified business model to sustain growth. The leadership renewal underscores the importance of talent development and succession planning in maintaining momentum and ensuring long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving European retail landscape.

IADS Notes: Recent IADS sources confirm that El Corte Inglés Portugal is experiencing record growth and operational strength, with €622 million in revenue and a 33% increase in profit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year (Modaes, March 2026). The group’s diversified presence—including department stores, an outlet, supermarkets, and distribution centres—has supported resilience and continued expansion in the Portuguese market (Jornal de Negócios, November 2025; Inside Retail, February 2026). Leadership transitions, such as the appointment of Nuno Serra Santos as director and the promotion of Enrique Hidalgo Miralles to group sales director for Spain and Portugal, reflect a strategic focus on talent development, cross-market integration, and operational excellence (Fashion Network, March 2026; Retail Week, January 2026). Collectively, these sources illustrate how El Corte Inglés is leveraging strong local results, leadership renewal, and business model diversification to sustain growth and maintain its position as an Iberian retail powerhouse.

El Corte Inglés appoints new GM for Portugal