What: El Corte Inglés Group posted a positive EBITDA of EUR 234 million, a EUR 416 million year-on-year increase on the same period last year (March-August).

Why it is important: Despite the absence of tourism and the restrictions still in place throughout the period, retail revenue is USD 5.42 billion, in line with 2019.

The Group's sales performance was driven mainly by retail, led by a strong recovery in fashion. Management improvements in the Group allowed to improve the gross margin by 2.7 points, to 30.2%.

El Corte Inglés posts a positive EBITDA

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: 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 extended product catalogue will be available to all customers in any El Corte Inglés' store. The expert consultation service will offer an immediate online advice from a specialized seller through chat, telephone or video call.

The Expert Consultation service is designed to lift any customer's doubt, knowing that 74% of the people who send queries about a product, buy that same day. With this service, the online customer is offered an expert advice as if he was shopping in the store. The client chooses his favourite channel whether it's through a phone call, video call or chat.

The Extended Catalogue allows the client to access all articles from stores having the most complete offer and from the entire website. The service is provided by a sales associate using different devices and tools: PDA systems, sales terminals and, in some stores, large screens.

With this system, the customer will have access to the flagship store offer, to categories or brands that do not have a presence in their local store. It will also allow them to access the entire catalogue of a brand with a smaller presence in the local store.

El Corte Inglés launches extended services to customers 

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: Christian Dior has expanded its retail footprint in Mexico with the opening of its fourth store, a new boutique at El Palacio de Hierro in Guadalajara (following locations in Artz, Santa Fe and Polanco).

Why it is important:  El Palacio de Hierro secures and expands its partnership with Dior.

The Guadalajara store resembles a curved light box with two entrances. Women's and men's collections are displayed in the centre. Product is cross-merchandised following a new concept started at the brand's massive Paris Champs-Élysées boutique opened in 2019.

El Palacio de Hierro opens a new dior store

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: 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: 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: 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 expansion will go through Sodimac, Falabella's DIY and home improvement chain.

Why it is important: The retailer benefits from a strong momentum in the home improvement business in Brazil and will develop from its existing Sodimac-Dicico and Sodimac Homecenter networks.

Falabella to accelerate expansion in Brazil

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: 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: SM Markets (the mother brand of SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore Market) will serve more communities around the country as it expands its presence online.

Why it is important: SM Markets online (https://smmarkets.ph/) is currently available in 70 branches in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao and key cities in Luzon and Visayas. It is targeting to be available in 100 locations covering most of the key areas in the country by the end of 2021.

SM Markets Online showcases all basic necessities as well as select premium or specialty items. Pick-up or delivery and cash or card payment options are available to customers. SM Markets is also available through the ShopSM Super App recently launched in September through Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. SM Markets Online also provides multiple payment options including GrabPay.

SM Markets also bolstered its omni-channel presence with its recent partnership with GrabMart allowing customers to have their orders delivered in just an hour. It is also looking at tapping other digital platforms to provide a more personalized shopping experience as well as expanding its collection points across its store portfolio.

SM Markets increases digital presence

What: Peter Fabricius, formerly CFO of Magasin du Nord, is appointed CEO.

Why it is important: The new owners of Magasin du Nord did not come with the idea to challenge what had been built so far by the existing team, and the appointment of Mr Fabricius show the trust placed in the existing strategy.

Following the purchase of IADS member Magasin du Nord by Peek & Cloppenburg, "changes in the continuity" are taking place at the top management. Peter King leaves the CEO seat to Peter Fabricius, who joined Magasin du Nord in 2005 and was appointed CFO in 2009. Mr King remains in an advisory position to Magasin du Nord.

Peter Fabricius appointed CEO of Magasin du Nord

What: Marcin Winkler, until recently head of digital at Avon, has taken the position of general manager for the retailer's new Polish branch.

Why it is important: Breuninger just launched its online store in Poland. Marcin Winkler will be responsible for the company's expansion in Central and Eastern Europe.

Until September this year, Marcin Winkler was the head of digital department and a member of the management board at Avon Cosmetics Polska. He worked here for three years. During this period, he managed Avon's digital transformation. He was responsible for the development and implementation of the company's digital strategy, managed e-commerce activities in B2B and B2C channels and performance marketing. He joined Avon from Azagroup, where he spent nearly two years as vice president.

Beruninger's general manager

What: Falabella seeks to boost female leadership and cut the pay gap between men and women as part of its inclusive culture. The retailer will increase women's participation in executive and managerial positions by 40% by 2022.

Why it is important: Falabella is working on various initiatives to promote women leadership and an inclusive culture. In addition, they are also reinforcing benefits to give them a work-life balance. To fully achieve inclusion in the work environment, Falabella is tasked with constantly updating its policies and procedures, as well as enhancing measures to attract talent.

Falabella indicated that the idea is to give women the same opportunities that men have and reduce wage gaps. He also stated that of the company's almost 3,000 executives, only 36% are women, so they want to increase gender participation in jobs to 40% by 2022.

Falabella seeks to boost female leadership 

What: The 34 stores in Chile, Colombia and Peru received the international certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a distinction granted by the U.S. Green Building Council (Usgbc), an organization that aims to promote sustainable construction and development.

Why it is important: The company also works so that the waste from its activities, services and products does not reach landfill, with a focus on recycling and reuse to reduce greenhouse gases. Falabella is also promoting a culture of reduction, use and recycling of waste among all employees.

The retailer displays specific information so that customers know Falabella's commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

In addition and as previously announced, 240 of its stores and facilities in Chile and Peru will be supplied with renewable energy by the first half of 2022.

Falabella accounts for 34 certified sustainable stores