What: Bloomingdale's launches its annual Pink Campaign alongside the new Aqua x Kerri Rosenthal collection.

Why it is important: This launch not only supports breast cancer awareness and research but also introduces a unique fashion collaboration, enhancing Bloomingdale's product offerings and consumer engagement.

Bloomingdale's has initiated its annual Pink Campaign, which aligns with the Aqua x Kerri Rosenthal collection launch. This campaign is part of Bloomingdale's ongoing commitment to breast cancer awareness and research, with proceeds supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The collaboration with Kerri Rosenthal brings a fresh fashion line that features unique designs and styles, aiming to attract a diverse customer base. This initiative showcases Bloomingdale's dedication to social causes while simultaneously expanding its fashion portfolio, offering customers exclusive products that support a meaningful cause.

Bloomingdale's annual Pink Campaign and new collection launch

What:El Palacio de Hierro has unveiled its 15th store in León, Guanajuato, marking a significant addition to the city's retail scene.

Why it is important:The opening of this luxury store not only boosts León's economy by creating jobs but also enriches the cultural landscape by integrating local heritage into its design and offerings.

El Palacio de Hierro has opened its latest store in León, Guanajuato, after a substantial investment of nearly MXN 3,000 million pesos and over 600 days of construction. Located in Plaza Mayor, the store covers more than 30,000 square meters across three levels and stands out for its stunning interior design inspired by Guanajuato's rich mining history and cultural heritage. The central atrium resembles a mine shaft, while other areas reflect iconic local landscapes and historical figures. The store offers a dazzling array of 263 brands, including luxury names like Dior, Carolina Herrera, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace. Beyond high-end products, it provides exclusive services such as a Thai-inspired spa, barber shop, children's hair salon, and gourmet dining options like a cheese bar. Unique features include the "La Suite" VIP space and a replica of the famous Callejón del Beso (Kisses Alley).This new addition has had a positive economic impact on León, generating 600 direct jobs and 1,800 indirect jobs, along with 1,200 construction jobs. The grand opening was celebrated with a vibrant event attended by local dignitaries, celebrities, and business leaders, featuring cultural performances and traditional elements. Looking ahead, El Palacio de Hierro plans to expand further in Mexico with potential new locations in Mérida and San  Potosí while renovating existing stores to embrace a modern concept.

An iron palace the size of León, Maxwell

This is the impressive Palacio de Hierro in León, Merca 2.0

What: Boyner hosted the second annual Dynamic Fest, attracting over 8,000 attendees with sports activities, inspiring speeches, and engaging workshops.

Why it is important: The festival highlights Boyner's commitment to promoting an active lifestyle and community engagement, offering diverse experiences that inspire participants through sports and entertainment.

Boyner Dynamic Fest took place at Bonus Parkorman on September 28-29, drawing more than 8,000 participants. The event featured high-energy sports activities, motivational talks by athletes like Aysu Türkoğlu and Seren Ay Çetin, dance performances, creative workshops, and competitive tournaments. The festival aimed to raise awareness about sports and healthy living, providing a weekend filled with diverse activities for attendees.

Inspiring stories were shared by athletes such as Türkoğlu, known for her Oceans Seven achievements, and Çetin, the first Turkish female WBC Silver World Champion. Competitive tournaments in basketball and volleyball offered participants the chance to win surprise prizes. Additionally, the festival supported animal adoption through the Her Eve Bir Pati Association (HEPAD), with several pets finding new homes.

Boyner CEO Eren Çamurdan emphasized the festival's role in fostering new experiences and dynamism. Supported by brands like adidas, ASICS, and Levi's, the event successfully brought together people of all ages to celebrate movement and a good life.

Check out the photos of the Boyner dynamic fest '24

Boyner Dynamic Fest, Press release

What: Bloomingdale's launched the "From Italy, With Love" campaign, a two-month retail event celebrating Italian fashion, design, cuisine, and culture.

Why it is important: This campaign exemplifies how strategic alignment between marketing and merchandising can create an immersive customer experience, potentially setting a new standard for retail activations.

Bloomingdale's "From Italy, With Love" campaign is a comprehensive retail event that immerses customers in the essence of Italian culture through a meticulously curated selection of fashion, design, and culinary experiences. Launched in conjunction with New York Fashion Week, the campaign features over 300 exclusive products from more than 150 partners, including iconic brands like Valentino, Ferragamo, and Missoni. The initiative spans both in-store and online platforms, offering customers a seamless experience that bridges digital and physical retail spaces.

The campaign's in-store experience at Bloomingdale's 59th Street flagship in New York City is particularly noteworthy. Shoppers are greeted with Italian-themed visual merchandising that transforms the store into a vibrant market reminiscent of Italy. The Mercato pop-up offers gourmet Italian products, while installations throughout the store feature travel posters, Roman columns, and whimsical decor that enhance the thematic experience. Notable collaborations include Rag & Bone partnering with Lucali pizza and Moon Boot offering gelato weekends.

This initiative highlights the importance of integrating marketing and merchandising strategies to create a cohesive brand narrative. By involving brands in the merchandising process and offering exclusive collaborations, Bloomingdale's not only enhances customer engagement but also strengthens brand partnerships. As retailers navigate an increasingly competitive landscape, Bloomingdale's approach serves as a model for how to effectively align corporate strategy with in-store execution to deliver an unparalleled shopping experience.

Bloomingdale's Italian adventure: A retail love affair

What: El Corte Inglés has announced a new structure at the top and the departure of Jose Maria Folache.

Why it is important: This development underscores the ongoing evolution of El Corte Inglés's management structure, as the company balances retail expertise with new strategic initiatives.

El Corte Inglés has dismissed José María Folache, its Retail Director and one of two general directors, due to strategic disagreements with newly appointed CEO Gastón Bottazzini. The decision, communicated directly by Bottazzini, comes as the company prepares to present a new strategic plan by year-end. Folache, who joined in 2022 following the departure of former CEO Víctor del Pozo, brought extensive retail experience from leadership roles at Carrefour España, Tous, Parfois, and Suárez. This marks his second departure from El Corte Inglés, having previously left in 2012 after serving as deputy purchasing director. The company's retail division, which Folache overseen, generated EUR 12.845 billion in revenue last year, representing a 3.8% increase from the previous period. Bottazzini, who reports to the executive committee chaired by Marta Álvarez, plans to restructure the organisation with multiple general directorships reporting directly to him.

IADS Notes: As reported in October 2024, El Corte Inglés partnered with McKinsey to develop a new strategic plan, signaling a significant shift in its approach to retail transformation. This followed the appointment of Gastón Bottazzini as CEO in July 2024, bringing valuable experience from Falabella and McKinsey. The company's strong performance, with a 5.4% increase in total transaction value and record-breaking recurring net income in June 2024, suggests that this leadership change aligns with its broader strategy to maintain growth momentum. The dismissal of Folache reflects the company's commitment to its new strategic direction, as it prepares for the next phase of growth through 2030, emphasising traditional retail with increased digitalisation.

El Corte Inglés reorganises its top management structure

What: El Corte Inglés is once again the official sponsor of the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana 2024, a legendary famous race held on December 31.

Why it is important: This sponsorship highlights El Corte Inglés' commitment to promoting sports and community events, particularly running, a significant part of the company's sports initiatives.

El Corte Inglés has reaffirmed its support for the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana 2024, marking the 60th edition of this iconic race. The event, held every December 31, is one of Spain's most popular and enduring competitions, celebrating the last day of the year. El Corte Inglés, through its sports brand Boomerang, has designed and produced the official T-shirts for the race, made from 100% recycled materials. Participants in the Popular, International, and Mini categories will wear these T-shirts.

The race features a 10-kilometer urban course, with the final 150 meters run on the grass of the Vallecas Stadium. The International category is reserved for elite athletes, with a maximum of 2,000 places for runners who can complete the 10K in under 39 minutes for men or 45 minutes for women. The event also includes a charity component, with a mini race for children, where all registration fees will be donated to projects to prevent childhood obesity through the Gasol Foundation.

El Corte Inglés will provide extensive support for the event, including unique pop-ups in its stores, 360-degree communication campaigns across its digital and physical platforms, and the supply of refreshment kits for all participants. The company's involvement reflects its strong commitment to sports and community engagement, supporting over a hundred running events annually.

El Corte Inglés sponsors 60th San Silvestre Vallecana race

What: El Palacio de Hierro is opening a new flagship store in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, on October 4, with a space of over 35,000 square meters.

Why it is important: This expansion underscores El Palacio de Hierro's growth strategy and its commitment to enhancing its presence in Mexico by offering a wide range of luxury and local brands, contributing to the local economy and retail landscape.

El Palacio de Hierro is set to open a new flagship store in León, Guanajuato. Scheduled for October 4, this expansive store spans over 35,000 square meters across three levels and will feature more than 200 brands, including high-end names like Montblanc, Versace, Burberry, and Carolina Herrera. The store's design draws inspiration from León's colonial architecture, incorporating elements such as mining motifs and cobblestone alleys. This opening is part of El Palacio de Hierro's broader strategy to expand its luxury offerings and integrate local leather-specialty brands.

The company has shown robust financial performance, with a net profit increase of 23% to USD 71 million in the first half of the year and a turnover of USD 1.37 billion, up 9.2% year-on-year. The growth is largely attributed to the strong performance of its online sales channel. Additionally, El Palacio de Hierro has expanded its brand portfolio by adding Spanish brands like Ecoalf and Adolfo Domínguez. The retailer serves as an exclusive distributor for prestigious brands such as Burberry and Tiffany and partners with major luxury groups like LVMH and Kering.

El Palacio de Hierro opens new flagship store in Guanajuato

What: Sfera, El Corte Inglés' fashion brand, maintains its position as the group's most internationally present brand in 2023.

Why it is important: The growth of Sfera highlights El Corte Inglés' strategy to diversify and internationalize its business model.

Sfera, El Corte Inglés' fashion and accessories brand, maintained its position as the group's most internationally present brand in 2023, operating in 17 countries. The brand closed the year with 524 points of sale, an increase of 34 from 2022, comprising 166 own stores, 287 franchises, and 71 corners (69 in Spain and 2 in Portugal).

Mexico leads in company-owned stores with nearly 60 establishments, while franchise operations are strong in Switzerland (53 points of sale), Thailand (43), and Ireland (22). In Latin America, Sfera has a significant presence with franchises in Chile (62), Peru (45), El Salvador (13), and Guatemala (10), among others. The brand also operates in Middle Eastern countries like the UAE and Qatar.

El Corte Inglés continues to focus on internationalizing its private brands, now present in over 30 countries through strategic partnerships. The company is strengthening its international positioning by incorporating more references and new categories in the home area, adding to its existing fashion and food offerings.

El Corte Ingles' private label Sfera is the group's most international brand

What: Galeries Lafayette is inviting numerous brands to celebrate its 130th anniversary.

Why it is important: This celebration marks a significant milestone for Galeries Lafayette, highlighting its long-standing influence in the retail industry and its ability to foster strong partnerships with various brands.

Galeries Lafayette is commemorating its 130th anniversary by hosting a grand celebration that includes collaborations with many renowned brands. This event not only celebrates the department store's rich history and heritage but also emphasizes its enduring presence and impact in the fashion and retail sectors. By inviting numerous brands to participate, Galeries Lafayette showcases its role as a pivotal player in the industry, reinforcing its reputation as a leading retail destination.

Celebrating 130 years: Galeries Lafayette's anniversary event

What: Sepiia is entering El Corte Inglés stores in Iberia to increase its market presence and brand recognition.

Why it is important: This strategic move allows Sepiia to enhance its distribution network and visibility in the Iberian market, potentially boosting sales and brand awareness in a competitive retail environment.

Sepiia, a company known for its functional and sustainable clothing, is set to expand its market reach by entering El Corte Inglés stores across Iberia. This partnership aims to increase the brand's capillarity and notoriety, providing Sepiia greater access to a wider customer base. By leveraging El Corte Inglés' established retail platform, Sepiia seeks to strengthen its position in the market and enhance its brand visibility.

Expanding reach: Sepiia enters El Corte Inglés in Iberia

What: Falabella Retail has launched a new season of its "Verde Talks," a series of discussions focused on sustainability topics.

Why it is important: This initiative underscores Falabella's commitment to promoting sustainability and raising awareness about environmental issues, aligning with global trends towards more sustainable business practices.

Falabella Retail has introduced a new season of "Verde Talks," a series dedicated to exploring various sustainability themes. These talks aim to engage audiences in meaningful discussions about environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. By focusing on sustainability, Falabella is reinforcing its dedication to environmental stewardship and contributing to the broader conversation on sustainable development within the retail industry.

Falabella Retail launches new season of Verde Talks on sustainability

What: Galeries Lafayette is celebrating its 130th anniversary by hosting an exclusive dining experience under the iconic dome of its Parisian store.

Why it is important: This event marks a significant milestone for Galeries Lafayette, highlighting its historical and cultural influence in Paris while showcasing its ability to innovate and offer unique experiences in the competitive retail landscape.

Galeries Lafayette, one of Paris's most renowned department stores, is commemorating its 130th anniversary with an extraordinary dining event beneath its iconic dome. This celebration honors the store's rich history and its role as a cultural and commercial landmark in Paris. By transforming its space to host this exclusive culinary experience, Galeries Lafayette emphasizes both its architectural beauty and commitment to providing unique and memorable experiences for patrons. The event involves meticulous planning, from sourcing high-quality ingredients to ensuring exceptional service within a bustling retail environment. Hosting a restaurant in such a unique setting presents logistical challenges, including maintaining kitchen operations at scale and creating an intimate dining atmosphere amidst the grandeur of the dome. This initiative reinforces Galeries Lafayette's status as a key player in Parisian retail and culture, attracting both locals and tourists to partake in this once-in-a-lifetime experience that blends tradition with modernity.

Galeries Lafayette celebrates 130 Years with exclusive dome dining experience

What: Galeries Lafayette has collaborated with designer Igor Dieryck to launch an exclusive knitwear capsule collection.

Why it is important: This collaboration highlights Galeries Lafayette's commitment to showcasing innovative and sustainable fashion by partnering with emerging designers like Igor Dieryck, thereby enhancing its reputation as a leader in contemporary fashion retail.

Galeries Lafayette has unveiled a new knitwear capsule collection in collaboration with designer Igor Dieryck. The collection features a range of knitwear pieces that emphasize sustainability and craftsmanship. Dieryck, known for his innovative approach to knitwear, has created designs that blend traditional techniques with modern aesthetics. This partnership is part of Galeries Lafayette's strategy to support emerging talent and offer exclusive, high-quality fashion to its customers

Galeries Lafayette launches knitwear capsule with Igor Dieryck

What: Galeries Lafayette has enlisted designer Kevin Germanier to create its Christmas window displays.

Why it is important: This collaboration highlights Galeries Lafayette's commitment to artistic innovation and enhances its festive appeal, drawing crowds and boosting its reputation as a leading fashion retailer.

Galeries Lafayette has partnered with designer Kevin Germanier to design its Christmas window displays, showcasing a blend of creativity and festive spirit. This collaboration aims to captivate audiences with unique and artistic presentations, reinforcing Galeries Lafayette's position as a prominent and innovative player in the retail industry during the holiday season.

Galeries Lafayette's Christmas windows: Kevin Germanier's creative touch

What: Boyner is hosting the "Boyner Dynamic Fest" in Istanbul, a vibrant event combining sports, wellness, and entertainment on September 28-29.

Why it is important: This festival highlights Boyner's innovative approach to retail by integrating active living and experiential concepts, aiming to engage a wide audience and promote a healthy lifestyle, which can enhance brand loyalty and community engagement.

Boyner is set to host the "Boyner Dynamic Fest" in Istanbul, an event designed to blend sports, wellness, and entertainment, reflecting the company's new store concept, Boyner Dynamic. The festival, taking place at Bonus Parkorman, will offer a variety of activities across three stages, including sustainable nutrition workshops, training techniques, and mental health-focused sessions like laughter yoga. The event is free and open to all ages, featuring activities such as running, spinning, and creative workshops. Boyner CEO Eren Çamurdan describes the festival as a groundbreaking initiative that embodies the company's commitment to experiential retail and active living, inviting everyone to participate in this dynamic celebration.

Boyner to electrify Istanbul with wellness and fun at Dynamic Fest

What: Thailand's The Mall Group wins Technology Excellence Award for innovative AR navigation solution in retail.

Why it is important: By integrating AR technology into its malls, The Mall Group demonstrates the growing importance of experiential retail in attracting and retaining customers, while also providing new marketing opportunities for brands.

The Mall Group has been awarded the Thailand Technology Excellence Award in the Virtualisation - Retail category for its innovative indoor augmented reality (AR) navigation solution. This system enhances the shopping experience by allowing customers to view accurate route information and points of interest overlaid on real-life images within the mall. The AR Navigation not only makes it easier for shoppers to find their way but also serves as a powerful marketing tool for retailers.

The technology enables brands to expand their distribution channels by displaying 3D models in AR space, effectively communicating promotions, benefits, and discounts to shoppers. The system also incorporates safety features, such as displaying a purple screen when approaching escalators to prompt customer caution. Additionally, it offers dedicated pathways for customers using wheelchairs and strollers, ensuring a more accessible shopping experience.

Introduced during the Chinese New Year festival, the AR Navigation system aims to generate excitement and encourage customers to try the new feature within the mall's loyalty app. The solution has yielded impressive results, with a 31% increase in customers' session duration, a 327% growth in page views per session, and a 9% increase in active loyalty app users.

IADS notes:

The Mall Group's AR navigation system is part of a broader strategy of digital transformation and customer engagement . The company has been consistently innovating in the retail space, with previous implementations including "chat and shop" services, live stream shopping events, and plans for further AR and VR integration. This focus on technology-driven, immersive experiences aligns with the company's overall direction, as evidenced by the recognition of its CMO, Voralak Tulaphorn, as one of Thailand's top marketing executives for her emphasis on digital platforms and customer engagement. The Mall Group has also been actively rebranding its physical spaces to create more experiential retail environments  and expanding its reach through strategic partnerships to attract both local and international customers. This AR navigation system represents another step in The Mall Group's ongoing efforts to redefine the retail experience in Thailand.

The Mall Group bags Thailand Technology Excellence Awards 2024 for AR navigation system 

What: Motier, the family holding company managing Galeries Lafayette and La Redoute, has appointed Carole Ferrand as the new Director of Strategy and Development.

Why it is important: This appointment signifies a strategic shift within Motier, as the company aims to enhance its strategic vision and explore new growth opportunities under Ferrand's leadership, leveraging her extensive experience in management, finance, and mergers and acquisitions.

Motier, the holding company of Galeries Lafayette and La Redoute, has appointed Carole Ferrand as the Director of Strategy and Development, a newly created position. Ferrand brings over 30 years of experience in management, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, having held significant roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony France, EuropaCorp, and Capgemini. Her mission at Motier includes defining and deploying the company's strategic vision, managing portfolio investments dynamically, and identifying new growth and development opportunities. This appointment follows a recent change in governance at Motier, with Philippe Houzé taking over the presidency from Ginette Moulin. Motier Ventures, part of the holding, continues to invest in tech startups, indicating a broader strategic focus on innovation and growth.

New director of strategy and development at Galeries Lafayette 

What: El Corte Inglés ranks second in Spain's corporate reputation index for 2024, with a 91% score.

Why it is important: The strong reputation score highlights the retailer's ability to maintain brand value and consumer confidence, crucial factors in today's competitive market where reputation directly impacts purchasing decisions.

El Corte Inglés has secured the second position in Spain's corporate reputation ranking for 2024, achieving a 91% score. This places the retail giant just behind Fundación La Caixa (95%) in a study conducted by Advice Strategic Consultants. The top ten list includes other major companies such as CaixaBank, Inditex, and Telefónica.

The study analyzed 40 factors grouped into three main constructs: business success, social commitment, and trust. For El Corte Inglés, business success carries the most weight (40%), followed by trust (35%) and social commitment (15%). This contrasts with Fundación La Caixa, where social commitment is the primary driver of its reputation.

Jorge Díaz Cardiel, partner-director of Advice Strategic Consultants, emphasizes that corporate reputation in 2024 is not merely theoretical but has tangible effects on consumer behavior. It influences decisions to purchase products and services, recommend them to others, and impacts companies' bottom lines.

This high ranking comes at a time when El Corte Inglés has shown strong financial performance, with recent fiscal results demonstrating significant growth in turnover and profitability, despite challenges in the retail sector.

IADS Notes:

El Corte Inglés has demonstrated remarkable financial and strategic resilience in recent years. The company's 2023-2024 fiscal results show significant growth, with turnover reaching EUR 15,327 million, a 22.5% increase, and record-breaking EBITDA and net results. This success comes despite challenges such as the rise of e-commerce and the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has focused on improving profitability and reducing debt, bringing it down from EUR 5 billion to around EUR 2 billion. Looking ahead, El Corte Inglés is preparing a new strategic plan through 2030, emphasizing traditional retail with increased digitalization. Additionally, the company has shown commitment to sustainability by increasing its sustainable product offerings by 8.5%, implementing internal protocols for sustainable procurement and production.

El Corte Inglés ranks second in terms of best corporate reputation, after a bank

What: Falabella has introduced a new edition of its second-hand fair.

Why it is important: This initiative highlights Falabella's commitment to sustainability and the growing trend of second-hand shopping, which can attract environmentally conscious consumers and promote circular fashion.

Falabella, a prominent retail company, has launched a new edition of its second-hand fair, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable fashion practices. This event aims to allow consumers to purchase pre-owned items, encouraging the reuse and recycling of fashion products. By hosting this fair, Falabella is tapping into the increasing consumer demand for sustainable shopping options and promoting a circular economy. The initiative not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also positions Falabella as a leader in environmentally responsible retailing.

Falabella unveils a new edition of its second-hand fair

What: Breuninger has successfully hosted fashion shows at its location in Düsseldorf.

Why it is important: This event highlights Breuninger's strategic expansion and its commitment to establishing a strong presence in Düsseldorf, enhancing its brand visibility and influence in the fashion industry.

Breuninger has captivated audiences with its fashion shows held at a newly opened location in Düsseldorf. The event showcased a range of fashion collections, drawing significant attention and acclaim. By choosing Düsseldorf as the site for these shows, Breuninger aims to strengthen its market presence and engage with a broader audience, reinforcing its status as a leading fashion retailer.

Breuninger fashion shows impress at new Düsseldorf location

What: Ms. Supaluck Umpuj has been awarded the Her Awards, UNFPA Thailand 2024 for Female Population Inspiration.

Why it is important: This accolade recognises Ms. Umpuj's influential role in the global retail industry and her contributions as an inspirational leader for women, highlighting her impact on both business and gender equality.

Ms. Supaluck Umpuj, the Executive Chairman of The Mall Group Co., Ltd., has been honoured with the Her Awards, UNFPA Thailand 2024: Female Population Inspiration. This prestigious award celebrates her achievements in creating a global retail phenomenon and her role as a trailblazer for women in business. The award ceremony took place at the ESCAP HALL meeting room, United Nations, Ratchadamnoen, Bangkok. Ms. Umpuj's leadership and vision have significantly contributed to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the corporate world. Her recognition by UNFPA underscores her dedication to inspiring future generations of female leaders.

Ms. Supaluck Umpuj was honoured with Her Awards, UNFPA Thailand 2024

What: The Mall Group Co., Ltd. has won three awards at the "Marketing Excellence Awards 2024," showcasing its leadership in the marketing sector.

Why it is important: These accolades highlight The Mall Group's innovative marketing strategies and its ability to engage customers effectively, reinforcing its position as a leader in Thailand's retail industry.

The Mall Group Co., Ltd., a prominent leader in Thailand's retail sector, has achieved significant recognition by winning three prestigious awards at the "Marketing Excellence Awards 2024." This event, organized by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, celebrates outstanding marketing achievements across various industries in Asia. The Mall Group was honoured with the Excellence in CSR Cause Marketing Award for its M Heart "Sai Lohit Sai Jai" campaign, demonstrating its commitment to corporate social responsibility. Additionally, the company received the Excellence in Customer Engagement Award for the Platinum M – Platinum M Curated Dining campaign, showcasing its innovative approach to customer interaction. Lastly, it won the Excellence in Retail Shopper Marketing Award for the Bangkok Shopping Festival 2023 (Kung-fu Shopping) campaign, highlighting its creative retail strategies.

These awards reflect The Mall Group's dedication to excellence and innovation in marketing, as well as its influence in shaping the retail landscape in Thailand. The recognition from an independent panel of judges comprising industry leaders and senior marketers underscores the company's success in delivering impactful and creative marketing solutions.

The Mall Group triumphs at Marketing Excellence Awards 2024

What: SKP, despite challenging market conditions, continues to expand its footprint and open new stores, including its latest location in Wuhan.

Why it is important: SKP has established itself as one of the world's premier luxury retail destinations, maintaining its growth trajectory even amidst broader economic challenges.

SKP, a luxury department store chain under the Beijing Hualian Group, celebrated the grand opening of its new outlet in Wuhan, Hubei province, on July 26. The store generated CNY 100 million (USD 13.8 million) in sales on its launch day and has attracted over 100,000 visitors since its trial opening on July 13. This Wuhan location marks the fourth store for SKP, joining its outlets in Beijing, Xi'an, and Chengdu.

The new Wuhan store also features SKP-S, a sub-brand targeting Generation Z consumers with a curated selection of designer brands focused on youth culture and luxury retail. Despite the rise of e-commerce and livestream shopping, high-end department stores like SKP continue to perform strongly. In 2022, SKP's Beijing store reported a revenue of CNY 24 billion, which rose to CNY 26.5 billion in 2023. The Xi'an location, however, saw a revenue decrease from CNY 9.5 billion in 2022 to CNY 8 billion in 2023, while the Chengdu store reported CNY 5.5 billion in revenue last year.

The expansion of high-end retail continues across China, with new outlets such as Shenzhen Coastal City's second location and the first Mixc store in Guiyang by China Resources. This sustained growth underscores the strong demand within China's luxury market, which is projected to increase by 3 percent to USD 240 billion this year, according to the Hurun Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey.

The luxury retail sector's growth in China contrasts with the global luxury market, which has seen slower growth this year. However, regions like Europe and Japan have benefited from increased luxury tourism, particularly from Chinese travellers, bolstered by favourable currency conditions.

SKP's strategy of combining traditional retail with targeted marketing campaigns and a focus on younger consumers seems to be paying off, as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading luxury retail destination in China.

SKP keeps on growing

What: Manor is an event partner at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, presenting the Honorary Leopard award and offering exclusive experiences for myManor customers.

Why it is important: Manor's involvement underscores its commitment to the arts. It enhances the festival experience with unique offerings like the Pardo Boutique and exclusive dining for loyal customers, strengthening its brand presence.

From 7 to 12 August 2024, the Locarno Film Festival will feature Manor as an event partner, celebrating international cinema in a captivating setting. Manor will present the Pardo d'onore Manor Award to esteemed New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion on 16 August. The festival will also screen two of her notable films, "An Angel at My Table" and "The Piano," in newly restored 4K versions. At the Pardo Boutique by Manor, visitors can find exclusive festival merchandise, including a limited edition Locarno77 bag and an official Swatch watch. For more information, see: Collections - Locarno Film Festival.  Manor World Mastercard® holders will enjoy exclusive aperitifs and dinners with a view of Piazza Grande from the department store's terrace and reserved film seating. Manor continues to offer a comprehensive omnichannel experience, supporting local producers and providing high-quality products through its department stores, food supermarkets, and restaurants across Switzerland. You can access the event photos here.

Manor's exclusive involvement at the Locarno Film Festival 2024