What: Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann is exhibiting five iconic dresses in its windows on behalf of the 90th anniversary of Air France as well as highlighting the airline's legendary planes, comfort, uniforms, gastronomy, and design.

Why it is important: The exhibition highlights its rich history and offerings and provides a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with Air France's legacy and experience.

Each dress in the windows, created by Xavier Ronze, represents different aspects of the airline, such as planes and technology, uniforms and fashion, posters, gastronomy, and design and architecture. The dresses are made from elements of Air France's heritage and current pieces, creating a connection between history and modernity.

Inside Galeries Lafayette, pop-up stores will be open, offering specially created or reissued objects to commemorate the anniversary.

The collection will be displayed from September 28th to October 10th.

To reach a wider audience, Air France has created an immersive website in French and English, where visitors can explore the history of Air France and its assets over time. Additionally, Air France has released an anniversary film showcasing the collection, featuring models wearing the dresses in various locations, including the airline's industrial hangars and aircraft which will be broadcast at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, airport lounges, and onboard Air France planes.

EnVols, a media outlet, will also release a supplement dedicated to Air France's 90th anniversary, offering readers insights into the airline's history, the dresses, and interviews with notable individuals involved in Air France's offerings.

Galeries Lafayette celebrates 90 years of Air France in its windows 

What: Berlin is pushing to transform the Galeries Lafayette building into a library at the end of the lease.

Why it is important: Many wonder about the feasibility of such a project, not to mention the fact that this has been a historical location for the store

Berlin's culture senator, Joe Chialo, is proposing the transformation of the French department store, Galeries Lafayette, located on Berlin's Friedrichstrasse, into the city's first central library. The city has debated the need for a central library for over a century.

Chialo is looking to purchase the building, Quartier 207, currently leased by Lafayette, from its US owner, Tishman Speyer, estimating the project's cost at EUR 589m (GBP 510m).

With the store's lease ending in 2024 and considering challenging retail conditions, the space could become a library by 2026. While some are sceptical about the building's suitability and costs, librarians and the German Library Association view the proposal as a once-in-a-century opportunity.

The building, known for its architectural appeal, offers a spacious and light-filled structure, which could rejuvenate the area and provide a communal center for the city.

Berlin city hall is pushing to transform the Galeries Lafayette building into a state library

What: El Corte Ingles' growth in 2022 is progressing thanks to increasing retail sales and internationalization

Why it is important: Private labels can be a source of growth and market shares when considered as brands.

El Corte Inglés is continuing its international expansion of its own brands, which are already present in more than 30 countries through partnerships with local strategic partners. The company's annual report highlights its efforts to strengthen its international presence by introducing new product categories in the home sector, in addition to its existing offerings in fashion and food. In the food sector, it has formed an alliance with a Filipino company to sell El Corte Inglés and El Corte Inglés Selection products in its supermarkets and has expanded its collaboration in Ecuador. In the fashion sector, Sfera is the most internationally recognized brand, present in 18 countries with a total of 490 points of sale.

In 2022, El Corte Inglés Group reported global revenues of over EUR 15.327 billion, a 22.5% increase over the previous year. This strong growth has driven EBITDA to €951 million, with a strong recovery in profitability. The group's net recurring profit reached EUR 207 million, the highest in recent years, despite a EUR 150 million increase in energy costs. The group's net total profit also reached €870 million, the highest figure ever achieved.

The group's solid financial position is reflected in its reduced net financial debt of EUR .295 billion, the lowest level in the past 15 years. This financial strength, coupled with a strong recovery in profitability, will enable the group to undertake new projects in the future.

The main driver of growth has been the retail business, with sales of EUR 12.213 billion, a 7.8% increase over the previous year, with a strong focus on the fashion sector. Online sales continue to grow, with over 3.2 million active online customers and approximately 14 million orders in 2022.

The group has also seen significant growth in its non-retail businesses, including travel, financial services, and insurance. The travel business, in particular, has reported revenues of EUR 1.677 billion, compared to EUR 72 million the previous year, with an EBITDA of over EUR 50 million.

Overall, El Corte Inglés is in a strong position for the fiscal year 2023, with a positive start to the year driven by a successful spring-summer campaign. The group's solid balance sheet, ample liquidity, and optimized capital structure provide greater flexibility to operate in a changing macroeconomic environment.

El Corte Inglés closes 2022 at +22% and accelerates internationally

What: El Palacio de Hierro launches a new women's brand, DHierro that encompasses slow fashion and timeless minimalist tailored garments.

Why it is important: The launch it introduces a new exclusive women's brand offering minimalist touches, sartorial art, and high-quality silhouettes, further enhancing the company's fashion portfolio.

The new brand is made mostly by hand in Europe with materials such as cashmere, merino wool, extra virgin wool, silk, linen and leathers. DHierro is available starting in September in the El Palacio de Hierro stores of Polanco, Santa Fé, Coyoacan, Perisur, Interlomas, Querétaro, and Guadalajara.

El Palacio de Hierro launches a new private label brand, DHierro

What: Magasin du Nord has implemented a new OMS

Why it is important: Omnichannel capabilities and POS efficiency are commanded by such a backbone.

Tecsys Inc., a top-tier supply chain management and omnichannel commerce software provider, has collaborated with Denmark's historic department store chain, Magasin du Nord, to modernize its multi-channel shopping experience. Utilizing Tecsys' Omno OMS software, Magasin du Nord integrates traditional retail and digital platforms, enhancing back-end fulfillment operations. The partnership empowers the 150-year-old brand to offer seamless channel transitions for its customers and efficient order processing.

The platform's features include adaptable sales channel integration, intelligent order routing based on inventory and product categories, strategic and cost-effective routing to minimize shipments, and real-time inventory management.

Magasin du Nord implements a new OMS

What: Breuninger names Thomas Hohn to the newly created role of Retail Director.

Why it is important: The new position signifies a change in the organisational structure within the company.

Thomas Hohn will begin the role on September 1st and report to Benjamin Fuest, Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at Breuninger.

Breuninger creates the position of retail director

What: El Corte Inglés is the multi-brand preferred by Spaniards, according to the report "Retail Performance Ranking 2023".

Why it is important: The study prepared by EY-Parthenon gives an insight to the preferences of Spanish consumers.

According to the findings, the department store chain is the popular choice in the pet, health and beauty, and fashion categories. Zara, El Ganso, and Women'secret round out the list of user favorites in the latter; Decathlon leads the category in sports.

El Corte Inglés is positioned as Spaniards' favourite fashion retailer

What: El Corte Inglés plans to expand in the grocery sector by opening new large-format supermarkets.

Why it is important: The expansion will provide a differentiated shopping experience and expand El Corte Inglés' network of stores.

The company aims to establish a network of differentiated stores with a wide range of high-quality products and excellent customer service. As part of this strategy, El Corte Inglés has sold 47 non-strategic Supercor supermarkets to Carrefour while retaining ownership of the properties. The agreement ensures the preservation of existing jobs.

El Corte Inglés currently operates various grocery formats, including El Corte Inglés Supermarkets, Hipercor, Supercor, Sánchez Romero, and Club del Gourmet shops. The company also has over 550 supermarkets located in Repsol petrol stations under the Supercor Stop&Go brand. As part of the expansion plan, El Corte Inglés will open street-level El Corte Inglés Supermarkets in addition to its commercial stores. These stores will range from 2,000 to 2,500 square meters and offer a diverse selection of products and services consistent with the existing offerings.

El Corte Inglés will open new large-format supermarkets

What: Galeries Lafayette has opened a Moschino pop-up store at their Champs-Elysees location in Paris.

Why it is important: The Moschino pop-up store will strengthen the brand's presence in the city.

The pop-up store coincides with Moschino's 40th-anniversary celebrations and an upcoming show in Milan. The store,  featuring a distinctive design with giant gold letters, will operate during the fashion week until October 1. It will showcase a selection from the Moschino Logo collection for Fall/Winter 2023-24. This follows Moschino's previous ventures in Paris, including a pop-up at Printemps department store and the opening of a retail corner for its new denim line. The brand also has a flagship store on rue Saint-Honoré.

Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées opens a Moschino pop-up store 

What: El Palacio de Hierro commemorated the 60th anniversary of its Palacio Card with a celebration full of luxury and elegance and a special edition of the card.

Why it is important: El Palacio de Hierro was the first luxury department store to implement credit cards in Mexico and aims to honour its long-standing relationship with its card holders.

Exclusive benefits were planned for Palacio cardholders, including the opportunity to acquire the limited edition card, designed by Mexican sculptor Sebastian, and participate in giveaways. Also, new benefits introduced include an exclusive concierge service, a baggage insurance, free wine on the customer's birthday month, annual refunds up to 3%, free shipping on their website, and discounts.

The company is also introducing the Palacio app in which customers can make purchases at El Palacio de Hierro, access their financial information, consult balances, movements, account statements, and make payments on their Palacio Card.

El Palacio de Hierro celebrates the 60th anniversary of its Palacio Card

What: Breuninger invited the members of Ballet am Rhein to dance in the Dusseldorf store windows for its anniversary celebrations.

Why it is important: The spectacle showed Breuninger's support of the arts by partnering with the ballet to provide a low-threshold access event for visitors to enjoy.

The ballet dancers performed in the shop windows for two days, showcasing specially choreographed routines created for this occasion. The store's flagship location was transformed into a large dance floor with a special dance floor covering, providing an innovative and immersive experience of music and dance to the audience.

Breuninger brings Ballet am Rhein into its shop window

What: Boyner Dynamic Fest to be hosted on September 23-24.

Why: Boyner Dynamic Fest reflects Boyner's commitment to experience retailing, promoting an active lifestyle beyond just shopping.

Stemming from their experience-focused retail transformation, they introduced Boyner Dynamic stores, which prioritize sports and experiential shopping. This concept inspired the formation of the Boyner Dynamic Team, a running group that now boasts over 100 members actively participating in marathons. The festival not only showcases Boyner's strong position in the sports and outdoor retail category but also their passion for integrating shopping with a dynamic way of life. With the Boyner Dynamic Fest, they aim to inspire everyone to embrace movement and lead an active life, extending their motivation beyond the confines of their stores.

Boyner Dynamic Fest to take place on September 23-24

What: El Corte Inglés Group has achieved AENOR Zero Waste certification for all its commercial establishments and logistics hubs, totalling 140 centres.

Why it is important: El Corte Inglés is committed to the circular economy, prioritizing reuse and recycling to minimize the environmental impact of its activities.

This certification ensures that the group has reused 94.34% of the waste generated by its activities, amounting to 56,086 tonnes in 2022. The next goal for the company is to obtain Zero Waste certification for all its outlets and supermarkets by 2026.

El Corte Inglés launched this initiative in 2018 and was the first Spanish distribution company to obtain AENOR Zero Waste certification for its shopping centres the following year. The success of this model lies in reusing over 90% of the waste generated. The company has implemented sustainable practices, such as reorganizing logistics routes, optimizing vehicle loading, and recycling electronic devices, to achieve Zero Waste certification.

El Corte Inglés achieves Zero Waste certification at its 140 centres 

What: The transaction represents EUR 60mn. The scope of the transaction includes supermarkets and convenience stores located in the regions of Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia and Valencia.

Why it is important: Carrefour plans to convert these SuperCor stores into Carrefour Market, Carrefour Express and Supeco brands.

El Corte Inglés sells 47 SuperCor stores to Carrefour

What: Manor supports the emerging art scene in Switzerland by recognizing and awarding young artists.

Why it is important: The award has encouraged Switzerland's art scene for over 40 years by offering the promoted artist an exhibition.

The Cultural Prize allows the public to visit exhibitions by young artists in a dozen cities- six in two consecutive years- and nominate six artists working in the industry to win the prize.

The winners include Mathias Ringgenberg from Bern, Mahtola Wittmer from Central Switzerland, Johanna Kotlaris in Ticino, and Gina Proenza in Lausanne. Their works will be showcased in exhibitions across Switzerland, accompanied by an exhibition catalogue. One of their pieces will also be acquired by Manor.

Manor Cultural Prize 2024 celebrates Switzerland's emerging art scene 

What: El Corte Inglés strengthens its international position according to its annual report.

Why it is important: The company's strong presence in multiple countries in thankful to its multiple strategic partnerships.

In its food department, the company has partnered with a Philippine company to market products from the El Corte Inglés and El Corte Inglés Selection brands in its supermarkets as well as expanded its collaboration in Ecuador.

In the fashion segment, the brands, Couchel, Southern Cotton, and Enfasis, are present in department stores in Ireland.

El Corte Inglés' fashion and accessories brand Sfera is present in 18 countries with a total of 490 points of sale. These include Mexico, Greece, Switzerland, Thailand, Ireland, Chile, Peru, El Salvador; Guatemala, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, UAE, and Qatar.

The group has also reinforced their presence in Latin America by signing an agreement to open spaces for home, food, and the Easy Wear fashion brand in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

El Corte Inglés boosts its internationalisation

What: Galeries Lafayette Champs Elysees displays Michael Kors's new AW collection in a pop-up space that resembles a private jet flight.

Why it is important: The immersive pop-up experience will offer an exclusive competition and prizes including a Paris-NYC round trip which will make customers interested and drive engagement.

Michael Kors set up a private jet display in the atrium of the Champs Elysees store which displayed its autumn-winter collection. Included in the presentation is the brand's Denim Jacquard collection and a space for its men's offer. The exhibit will last until September 11th.

Galeries Lafayette sets up Michael Kors space at Champs-Elysées location

What: Manor is laying the groundwork for its future strength with the aim of strengthening its attractiveness and differentiation.

Why it is important: Six months after his arrival as CEO of Manor, Roland Armbruster details its strategy for the department store which will go through the strengthening of the leadership in cosmetics & beauty, the modernisation of women's and men's fashion and the strengthening of homemade and local offerings at Manor Food. Digitalization will also be a key element, particularly at the company's headquarters with simpler, more agile and more efficient processes and organization. The goal is to consolidate our leading position in omnichannel retailing in Switzerland.

Manor's leading position in the cosmetics & beauty market will be continuously reinforced by new, trendy, innovative and sustainable brands (Green Beauty). In the women's and men's fashion departments, Manor will rethink its customer experience, renovating more than 20,000 square meters in its 12 main stores. Manor Food's range of homemade products will be further expanded, as will "local" sourcing, based on ever-closer partnerships with producers in regions that already supply more than 5,000 products.

Manor wants to increase the attractiveness of its online channels. By the end of the year, customers will be able to benefit from a brand-new version of the mobile app offering simplified and intuitive access associated with a more attractive assortment.

Finally, to gain agility and focus on the future, the company will carry out reorganizations at the head office which will be implemented gradually until the end of 2024, based on natural turnover and early retirements as well as the elimination of 80 jobs in central services. Alternative solutions will be sought after for these, whether within Manor or outside the company.

Manor details its priorities for the future

What: Breuninger advances its strategic marketing by expanding its retail media network into the premium and luxury sector.

Why it is important: This initiative makes Breuninger an appealing partner for companies that are looking to increase their market position in the premium and luxury sector using digital platforms.

Breuninger created the "Retail Media & Brand Cooperations" division last year to promote brand relationships and acts as an internal media agency. The company chose to partner with Microsoft Retail Media to give brand partners access to a new line of marketing products.

The company currently has a large reach of customers with over 200 million website visits and target groups in German-speaking countries of premium and luxury customers.

The goal is to connect brand partners to their target groups along the entire customer journey through visibility, branding measures, and campaigns along with personalised experiences.

From September, Breuninger will also be launching Sponsored Product Ads (SPA) and in 2024, new on-site formats that can be personalised.

Breuninger invests in the development of a retail media network in the premium and luxury sector

What: Breuninger opens its fifth bar concept and restaurant, Eduard's Bar, in its Munich flagship store on Sendlinger Strasse.

Why it is important: Eduard's Munich, named after founder, Eduard Breuninger, combines lifestyle and enjoyment complementing the flagship store and boosting the customer experience.

Eduard's is open on Mondays to Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. with an all-day menu that features breakfast, coffee specialties, signature drinks, and cocktails with alcoholic and non-alcoholic variations, as well as sweet and savoury bar snacks.

Breuninger opens Eduard's Bar 

What: El Palacio de Hierro reports strong results from the first half of 2023.

Why it is important: The company maintains its stable position in the competitive Mexican market.

El Palacio de Hierro reported USD 1,330 million in billings which represents an 18.5% growth. The department store segment increased its revenue by 4. 8% and the online channel grew by 36% in the first half of the year. Net profit increased as well by 33% to a sum of USD 62 million.

Fitch ratings ratified the company with the AAA rating which reflects the company's strong market position and brand recognition in Mexico.

El Palacio de Hierro grows by 18.5% and improves its profit by 33% in the first semester

What: Manor will participate in the Locarno Film Festival in Basel and give an award.

Why it is important: Manor will be awarding the 'Pardo d'onore Manor' to filmmaker Harmony Korine.

The Locarno Film Festival will take place from August 2nd to August 12th in Basel. One of the locations would be the Piazza Grande which houses the Manor department store and will showcase national and international film productions.

The 'Pardo d'onore Manor' will be given to Harmony Korine on August 11th and his two films, Gummo (1997) and Spring Breakers (2012) will also be screened during the Locarno76 festival.

Manor partakes in the Locarno Film Festival 

What: Breuninger is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its department store with Kö-Bogen on September 1st and 2nd in Düsseldorf.

Why it is important: The occasion will be accompanied by eight fashion shows displaying the current autumn/winter collections, late-night shopping, live musical acts, and a live art show by Steffen Mumm who will paint the company's mascot, the Breuni bear.

The fashion show will have 32 models from the fashion and lifestyle company presenting looks for autumn/winter 2023 on a 228-metre-long open-air catwalk. This year, the catwalk behind the bridge was lengthened by 35 metres, creating a total catwalk length on the water of 112 metres.

Breuninger celebrates ten years at the Kö-Bogen mall

What: The Mall Group attends the Techsauce Global Summit 2023 and reveals three new platforms.

Why it is important: The revealed platforms broaden the customer experience and connects the different stores under the group.

The Mall Group exhibited 3 platforms: M Card, M Online, and MNIVERSE, that work under the concept of M Experiences in which customers connect using M Points (accumulated points from online and in-store purchases using M Card), M Coin (accumulated points from participation in MNIVERSE platform activities), and E-Coupon rewards.

M Online is an app that allows customers to shop at all department stores from the group such as the Mall, The Mall Life Store, Emporium, EmQuartier, and the Paragon Department Store. There is an instant discount of THB 200 upon downloading the app; the services offered include free delivery on orders over THB 1,500 and special express delivery within 3 hours.

The MNIVERSE is a virtual world that uses 3D technology to allow users to create an avatar and enjoy various activities in which they can earn M Coin and receive E-coupons that can be used to buy products on M Online.

The Mall Group jointly presents three platforms from M Card at Techsauce Global Summit 2023