What: Lafayette Gourmet, the Galerie Lafayette gourmet store, is now offering a wide product offer online, including fresh products such as fruit or vegetable baskets, fish and dairy.

Why it is important: Called "Le Gourmet", the e-store probably gathers the largest gourmet offer for home delivery in Paris.

The e-store is organised by product categories: "artisans", sweets and pastries, dry groceries, wine and spirits, gift ideas.

Same day click & collect is proposed as well as same day delivery service, only available in Paris.

Lafayette Gourmets' online store

What: Luxury department store chain SKP, which includes the world's most profitable mall SKP Beijing, has become China's first retail group to be certified carbon natural after it was certified by Carbonstop, China's first carbon management software and consulting services provider.

Why it is important: The retailer is creating a new model of carbon neutrality and setting new standards for luxury retail by analysing, measuring, optimizing, and reinventing every aspect of energy consumption within the operation. This includes construction, choice of materials, maintenance, waste management, water consumption, lighting, electrical and mechanical equipment lifecycle to travels.

These disciplines have been applied to all existing SKP stores in Beijing and Xi'an, and is a focus for the stores being built in Chengdu and Wuhan.

SKP is the first Chinese mall to reach carbon neutrality

What: The British real estate company Stokemont.com compiled a core list of 47 of the best-known department stores and recorded the number of Instagram hashtags, TikTok views, and average global search data to put together a ranking list of the most popular department stores worldwide.

Why it is important: Overall, the study shows that European department stores are known and popular worldwide. El Corté Inglés is 9th and Breuninger is 21st in the ranking list.

Macy's in New York is the most popular department store in the world with a final score of 9.65, with 118.3 million TikTok views (#1 in the category) and 14.2 million average monthly searches worldwide (#1 in the category) and 1.23 million (#3 in the category) for Instagram hashtags. Macy's is closely followed by Nordstrom in Seattle with a final score of 9.58 and Selfridges in London (8.96). Places 4 to 10 were occupied by Harrods in London (8.89), Bloomingdale's in New York (8.68), Saks Fifth Avenue in New York (8.61), Galeries Lafayette in Paris (8.47), David Jones in Melbourne (8.33), El Corte Ingles in Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon (8.26) and Beymen in Istanbul (7.64).

Galeries Lafayette is the 7th most popular department stores worldwide

During the 62nd General Assembly, IADS members elected the Association's new President, Holger Blecker (Breuninger), new Vice President, Kamshim Lau (Lifestyle International), as well as the new Executive Committee, composed of Juan Carlos Esbribano (El Palacio de Hierro), Nicolas Houzé (Galeries Lafayette) and Peter King (Magasin du Nord). A press release will be issued in the coming weeks.

IADS Who's Who

What: Since 2017 Falabella has been working on the development of one of its most ambitious projects.

Why it is important: The store, located within the Parque Arauco complex in the exclusive neighbourhood of Las Condes, will cover 25,000 square meters and 4 levels. It will include competitive sections such as a 1800 square meters dedicated to women's footwear (with a storage capacity of up to 30,000 pairs), and a 1570 square meters perfumery area, the largest in the country.

It will also host a multi-brand space with the presence of international firms such as Liu-Jo, Michel Kors, Brownie and Adolfo Domínguez, among others. In addition, the mega store will bet on omnichannel, giving continuity to the projects of the Chilean company to be a leader in digital.

Falabella to open its largest store

Falabella construction record video (in Spanish)

New Falabella Testimonials video (in Spanish)

Press Tour & Breakfast video (in Spanish)

What: The pop-up at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann will run until 31 December. In addition to the retail space allocated to the brand, the latter is presented at both store entrances. What's more, all the windows along the Boulevard Haussmann have been turned over to the brand, the first time the retailer is giving this much high-visibility space to a brand.

Why it is important:  After a pop-up at Selfridges earlier this year, this is the second foray into physical retail for the direct-to-consumer loungewear label, as part of its new "Pangaia Pact, an initiative designed to highlight how we work with partners across three key pillars — carbon neutrality, circularity and purpose".

In keeping with its mission of being an "Earth-positive business," the company is offsetting the pop-up's entire carbon footprint, with an additional 10% thrown in for good measure, having accounted for factors such as employee commuting, material use and transport, on-site electricity and heating.

In addition, both brand and retailer will be donating 1% each of net sales from the pop-up to the Bee the Change fund, an initiative started by Pangaia in 2020 to support grassroots NGOs working to preserve and protect species such as bees from extinction and supported by transparency-focused donations platform Milkywire.

Galeries Lafayette partners with Pangaia

What: Reached profits of USD 226 million, a notable acceleration compared to the USD 5.4 million in profits recorded in the same 2020 period.

Why it is important: Falabella sees an acceleration of profits in Q3 as business recovers.

From the period of July through September, Falabella's consolidated revenues closed at USD 3,572 million which represents an increase of 16.7% compared to the 3rd quarter of the previous year.

Gross profit also ended the period with double-digit increases of 38.2% compared to the same period of 2020 and reaching USD 1,266 million.

Consolidated gross operating profit (Ebitda) reached a total of USD 480 million between July 1 and September 30, rising to 117.5% compared to the same period in 2020.

Going forward, the retailer is focused on building its physical-digital ecosystem.

Falabella soars its profits in the third quarter

Falabella's Q3 results

What: Five years ago, the retailer signed an agreement with Soriana, the Mexican second largest supermarket chain. Falabella has concrete plans to further increase its presence in the country, also including the financial business.

Why it is important:  Although Falabella's focus is on digital sales, the retailer will open its ninth location in Mexico. The country is considered as the most attractive in terms of growth opportunities in Latin America.

To supply supermarkets, Falabella already has 3 distribution centres in Mexico. The company accounts for 2,000 workers. Sodimac  and Linio will have an omnichannel deployment while Falaballa will develop financial services through Soriana supermarket chain.

Falabella expands in Mexico

What: The pop-up store, set in the Atrium of SKP in Beijing, will feature an exclusive selection of Prada's gold jewellery.

Why it is important: SKP is the first department store to welcome Prada's jewellery collection which is based on the famous triangle logo.

Prada Triangolo pop-up store at SKP

What: A new 300 sqm restaurant run by renowned French chefs Pourcel brothers opens on the Haussmann store first floor.

Why it is important: Culinary experiences are more and more important in department stores. This time, the department store bets on upscale chefs.

The restaurant will display a nature-inspired decor with a huge sculpture tree spreading its branches throughout the restaurant. The food will be Mediterranean, and a small gourmet store completes the restaurant.

Galeries Lafayette expands its restaurant offer

What: Consolidated net income has grown 79% since the same period last year.

Why it is important: Due to the group's various activities (Retail, Property, and Banking), consolidated net income has seen 79% growth compared to the January to September period last year.

SM Investments Corporation reported a consolidated net income of EUR 473 million in the January to September period, higher by 79% from EUR 263 million in the same period last year.

Consolidated revenues rose 5% to EUR 5 trillion in the first nine months from EUR 4.8 trillion in the same period last year.

Banking accounted for 60% of SM's reported net earnings from core businesses, followed by property at 27% and retail at 13%. Total assets were at EUR 23 billion. Gearing ratio stood at 40% net debt to 60% equity.

In the third quarter the SM group made significant commitments towards sustainability and climate change. SM Investments and SM Prime Holdings Inc. both formally joined as signatories in support of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding against climate risk through better disclosures.

SM Prime announced that it will target for more than 50% of electricity use across its businesses to come from renewable sources by the end of 2022, a commitment in support of the Philippine national goal of 35% renewable energy supply by 2030.

SM Investments net income grows 79% to EUR 473 million in nine-month period

What: SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, reported a 9% increase in consolidated net income to PHP 15.6 billion in the first nine months of 2021 from PHP 14.4 billion in the same period last year. Consolidated revenue recorded PHP 56.8 billion, 6% lower from PHP 60.7 billion in the same period being reviewed.

Why it is important: SM Prime's Philippine mall business, which accounts for 28% of the Company's consolidated revenues, recorded a 14% lower revenue vs last year's in the first three quarters of 2021. A stricter community quarantine from August 2021 has affected the operation of the mall business, limiting the operation of non-essential shops. Meanwhile, SM Prime's China mall business has reported a 28% increase in revenue.

"SM Prime continues to develop new ways and solutions in its businesses by developing sustainable programs that provide safe and secure environment for all of its stakeholders. This is in line with our anticipation of welcoming more people in our establishments, primarily in our malls and other commercial facilities, where thousands of our partner-tenants can showcase their products and services this coming Holidays Season," said Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime President.

SM Prime net income up by 9%

What: The retailer will show fine jewellery in a special edition of its digital live shopping series. "Shop the Gift" dedicates a virtual tour to the brands BVLGARI, Chopard, TAMARA COMOLLI, TIFFANY & Co. and Wempe.

Why it is important: The brands involved in the live shopping event are available on breuninger.com since this year as part of the marketplace.

As for its digital fashion show last Spring, "Shop the Gift" will present jewelry brands on  December 1 at 7 pm in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart. The hosts of the video shopping event are the well-known TV, radio and podcast presenter Hadnet Tesfai and fashion and influencer icon Leonie Hanne.

All the products shown can be bought directly afterwards and already on breuninger.com. In addition, viewers can exchange ideas live with Breuninger's fashion experts via a chat function.

Breuninger launches distant shopping for fine jewellery

What: Much simpler, adapted to the digitalisation of the business, the new incentive system will affect 42,000 people and will allow workers to know their sales commissions easily.

Why it is important: At a time when it's difficult to attract and retain retail staff, retailers are evolving their bonus schemes. The IADS Operation Meeting dedicated to the 'attract and retain talent' topic will be held on 2 December.

With this new system, progress is made in the transparency and simplicity, so that each employee will be able to regularly know the percentage that will be paid each month through the corporate intranet. The system will take into consideration the working hours of each worker and will generate an incentive from the first sale carried out. In addition, the system will take digitalization into consideration.

Staff from supermarkets and gourmet stores staff (including fishmongers, butchers...) will be added to the employees entitled to receive incentives.

El Corte Inglés' new incentive programme 

Agreement at El Corte Inglés for the new incentive system for the workforce

What: Falabella was the only Chilean company selected to join the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World), which unites leading international listed companies by their sustainability performance.

Why it is important: The company was ranked fifth worldwide in the retail category and within the top 2%, as it achieved the highest score for social reporting, which evaluates the transparency, quality and scope of this information.

Falabella included in the Dow jones sustainability index

What: The retailer celebrates World Energy Saving Day by turning off the facades and screens of its stores. Under the slogan "It's time. Save energy and live better", El Corte Inglés proposes discounts in departments such as electronics and appliances, sports, home and a whole series of accessories that benefit to energy savings.

Why it is important: El Corte Inglés has managed to reduce its electricity consumption by almost 25% in five years. In 2020 the decrease was 10.7% compared to 2019 due, in part, to the restrictions of schedules and commercial activity. This decrease means a saving of more than 141,538,632 kWh, equivalent to the consumption of about 43,000 households in a year.

El Corte Inglés celebrates World Energy Saving Day by turning off the lights

What: Manor extends its beauty and wellness space, making it the largest space dedicated to beauty services in Switzerland.

Why it is important: The 700-meter squared space is the largest beauty services area in Switzerland.

Le Studio already collaborates with L'Oréal and Clinique Matignon and will welcome three additional partners: Spa Nuxe, Alessandro nail bar, and Laviniam (providing eyebrow and permanent makeup services).

Manor Lausanne unveils this new space during two open days on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 October. The opportunity to present all the novelties, to meet the customers around numerous animations and to make them discover the services, with an exceptional reduction of 20%.

Manor Lausanne: "Le Studio" becomes the largest beauty and wellness salon in Switzerland

What: After Austria (2017) and Switzerland (2019), Breuninger will expand online to Poland in October 2021, delivering to non-German-speaking countries for the first time.

Why it is important: The launch of the new online shop www.breuninger.com/pl is a new step towards internationalisation and part of the department store's ambitious growth strategy.

Both the online store and the customer service are offered entirely in Polish. The locally established online payment methods P24 and BLIK will already be available by the end of 2021. Orders are shipped from the Breuninger Warendienstleistungszentrum in Sachsenheim near ths receive their orders within three to five workine company's headquarters in Stuttgart. Customerg days. At the start of www.breuninger.com/pl, shipping costs for orders from Poland will be eliminated.

Polish customers will be able to discover around 1,500 international designer brands with a product range similar to the existing Breuninger online shops in Austria and Switzerland.

Breuninger expands to Poland

What: The partnership is part of Manor's "Rethink Everyday" project. During the period from 18 to 31 October, for each purchase of a "Rethink Everyday" or a "Manor Bio" product in the food department, Manor donates CHF 1 to My Blue Planet.

Why it is important: With "Rethink Everyday", Manor has been dedicated for years to reviewing its processes to be more sustainable. Based on recognized international standards "Rethink Everyday" labels products are made from more durable materials (for example, organic cotton validated by GOTS).

The partnership works for all purchases in Manor department stores and Manor Food supermarkets as well as online at www.manor.ch. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of "Rethink Everyday" products that are manufactured according to defined sustainability standards.

The amount donated by Manor during the two weeks of the "Rethink Everyday" campaign throughout Switzerland will be entirely dedicated to projects protecting the climate.

My Blue Planet is an independent Swiss non-profit climate protection organisation based in Winterthur. It develops concrete measures for climate protection in everyday life and explains to the population that each individual can contribute to this protection.

Manor partners with my blue planet

What: World Retail Awards recognises leading retailers for their role in tackling the pandemic.

Why it is important: El Corte Inglés won the "Community Champion" Award, while The SM Supermalls won the "Customer Experience Breakthrough" Award.

After nearly two years of unprecedented change, the World Retail Awards were completely refocused for 2021 to reflect the extraordinary work by retailers around the world in supporting their customers, their employees and their communities whilst shaking-up their own business models in order to survive.

The category shortlists were selected by panels of retail industry experts and the winners by the Grand Jury which was made up of highly experienced senior retailers from around the world and across all sectors and channels.

Community Champion Award

When countries were forced to lock down around the world, millions of people faced isolation in their homes. Essential retailers in particular found themselves in the frontline to support not just their customers, but their communities. This special award put a much deserved spotlight on the way retail companies went far beyond their day-to-day aim of selling goods to customers, highlighting their purpose and values.

Winner: El Corte Inglés

Customer Experience Breakthrough Award

When essential retailers suddenly had to rethink their operations to serve a massive increase in customer demand, while remaining safe and secure, they developed many new services including click & collect, kerbside pick-up and self-scanning. Non-essential retailers also developed new services to meet customer needs, even though their stores remained closed. This award recognises not just customer experience innovations but also the way they were developed and implemented so quickly.

Winner: #AweSMLearning Campaign, SM Supermalls

The Grand Jury

Juliet Anammah, Chair, Jumia

Jessica Anuna, Founder & CEO, Klasha

Bernie Brookes, Chairman, Agriculture Innovation Australia

Sarah Davis, Former CEO, Loblaws

Arlette Guthrie, SVP Human Resources, Home Depot

Renuka Jagtiani, Chair, Landmark

Andrew Jennings, NED, Ted Baker

Bijou Kurien, Chairman, RAI

Caito Maia, Founder and CEO, Chilli Beans

Jaume Miquel, Chairman and CEO, Tendam

Neela Montgomery, CEO, CVS Pharmacy

Olga Naumova, CEO, Vostochny Souz

Kate Walsh, SVP, Omnichannel Retail, Pandora

Tea Colaianni, Founder and Chair, Diversity in Retail

WRA 2021 press release

What: The retailer won 4 awards for mall of the year, brand transformation of the year, store of the year and supermarket of the year

Why it is important: More than 200 projects from 15 countries across Asia have been submitted.

Awards

Mall of the year for THE MALL LIFESTORE NGARMWONGWAN

Brand transformation of the year for THE MALL LIFESTORE NGARMWONGWAN

Store of the year for THE MALL LIFESTORE NGARMWONGWAN

Supermarket of the year for GOURMET MARKET THAILAND

The Mall Group wins big at 2021 Retail Asia Awards 

What: From 20 September to 3 October, Polanco store welcomed a Miss Dior pop up store.

Why it is important: The pop up involved a 360° marketing activation with a dedicated hashtag on Instagram, an immersive experience, a Miss Dior coffee shop and a limited edition dessert coming as a GWP.

What: El Corte Inglés, Enagás and Ilunion launch a sustainable logistics project with social impact.

Why it is important: This collaboration will materialize through Llewo, a company owned by Enagás and Ilunion, which is specialized in social and eco-sustainable logistics management in Spain.

Llewo will assume the last mile logistics of El Corte Inglés in a series of selected locations, and will progressively expand the distribution coverage to the entire national territory. Thanks to this alliance, more than 150 direct jobs will be generated, among people dedicated to distribution and warehouse management.

El Corte Inglés is committed to both sustainable logistics and the diversity and employability of disadvantaged groups. This alliance is a first step in a long-term collaboration for both companies.

The goal is to work together to evolve and grow the last mile from a sustainable and social point of view.

These types of alliances are framed within the policy of commitment to society developed by El Corte Inglés, and in the spirit of closeness that it maintains with the concerns of citizens.

El Corte Inglés launches a sustainable logistics project 

What: The "Valentino: Re-Signify Part Two Beijing" interactive experience, which follows a first event in Shanghai, will be unveiled on 16 October and will be open to the public until 7 November at SKP in Beijing.

Why it is important: In addition to the interactive experience covering a 43,200 square feet space, Valentino is also launching an excluisve SKP capsule collection.

For the event at SKP, the curators worked to showcase three Valentino pillars, the V logo, the atelier and the signature stud. Clothes from the Act Collection, the couture and the archive will be on display with the art creating "an optical illusion, a reflection, a mirage," said Valentino, playing with "light, shadows, darkness and the way in which the light interacts with materials and with the surfaces."

The curators worked with 18 artists, including, in addition to Zhen and Amaro, Cao Fei; Liu Shiyuan; Cheng Ran; Shen Xin; Xu Wenkai/Aaajiao; Wu Rui; Azuma Makoto; Yeesookyung; Robby Müller; Robert Del Naja; Nick Knight; Pajama; Jacopo Benassi; Jonas Mekas, and Alessandro Teoldi and Caroline Hu, who created two dresses together with Piccioli, developing the flower theme dear to the Italian designer.

In Mainland China there are 27 Valentino directly operated stores and five franchised units. The brand sees new opportunities in China in cities such as Shenzhen in 2022; Wuhan in 2023, and Guangzhou.

SKP & Valentino