Available via the Apple App Store and Google Play, the new free app allows for the user to shop online among all the different sections of the department store and Hipercor supermarket with a combined range of collection and delivery options available.  The app holder has access to insurance, financial, travel and leisure services, as well as to special offers. They can also use the in-store easy check-out option that comes with the app via the El Corte Inglés purchase card.

One of the few companies able to develop and manufacture its own corporate face masks for staff, El Corte Inglés is rolling out an updated new version of it, improved based on the feedback from the users. These masks are safer and more comfortable. They are also reusable and sterilisable, making them a sustainable and environmentally friendly product.

Ya están aquí las nuevas mascarillas corporativas

Related items:

• El Corte Inglés is launching its new home application
• El Corte Inglés launches a home design advisory service

What: a new international store for Galeries Lafayette

Why is important: in spite of the crisis Galeries Lafayette continues its international expansion

After two locations in Beijing and Shanghai, the French department store plans to open a third store in China in the city of Guiyang. Galeries Lafayette has been working on international expansion for years, with the latest openings in Shanghai and in Luxemburg last year.

The company has developed a strong reputation among foreign travellers visiting the French capital, and is now concentrating on markets where customers know the brand.The new store will respond to the demand of Chinese shoppers in the Guizhou Province and will support the efforts of local officials to brand the region as a « shopping paradise ». The opening is scheduled in 2022.

Galeries Lafayette Expands in China With Plans for Third Store

Related items:

• Galeries Lafayette opens its second Chinese store
• Galeries Lafayette opens in Luxembourg

What: another big player joining the Pink October initiative

Why it is important: a social initiative to contribute to the fight against breast cancer

With the motto 'together against breast cancer', the German department store partnered with Estée Lauder's Pink October campaign for a weekend, in order to raise funds for research. The store featured time-limited 'Pink' items including in their food section where clients could taste pink macaroons and pink drinks, with profits going to German NGOs fighting against cancer. Selfie stations were installed throughout the Stuttgart flagship store: for each selfie shared on a social media with hashtags, Estée Lauder donated for research.

Breuninger ist offizieller Partner der Estée Lauder Companies Brustkrebs-Kampagne

Related item:

• Beco launched its breast cancer prevention campaign

Beco is joining the worldwide breast cancer prevention campaign by launching its own Pink campaign, astutely arguing that "prevention is not only against Covid-19" by showing a visual of two masks assembled in a bra. They are selling dedicated branded masks through their in-house lingerie brand Fru-Fru, and will redeem 60% of the earnings of such sales to the foundation "Senos Ayuda" (breast help).

What: El Corte Inglés is taking new steps in its strategy of opening new business avenues through links with third party companies.

Why it is important: A first step towards a digital marketplace?

The group is currently negotiating with 100 brands to become their logistics partner in this field and assume all the processes linked to this operation from the beginning to the end, taking advantage of the capacity of its logistics platform. A kind of outsourcing by these brands, which before the lockdown were reluctant to sell their products on the Internet and have since done so on the El Corte Inglés website. And a boost for El Corte Inglés that comes with the recently launched mobile application, which has already exceeded 150,000 downloads, and the El Corte Inglés Plus service, a flat rate of 19.90 euros per year to receive orders in two hours with no shipping costs.

El Corte Inglés negocia con 100 marcas para ser su socio logístico en venta online

What: Arte Falabella, a digital platform dedicated to local artists.

Why is important: a retailer takes a stand to support local culture and artists in the wake of the pandemic.

Multinational Chile-based chain of department stores Falabella is partnering with Antenna Foundation to promote the work of Chilean artists. Espacio Fotografia: Arte Falabella  is an initiative that aims to give 40 local artists exposure on a dedicated platform, to reach a wide audience. The initiative supports local artists who did not have the chance to show their work through exhibitions due to the pandemic, and also gives an access to culture to all Chilean. More than 300 exclusive pictures will be accessible for purchase on the platform, only available in Chile. Falabella CEO Gonzalo Somosa said: "We are aware of the transformative power of culture. Now all Chilean people will be able to enjoy, learn and buy quality work of arts at affordable prices."

Arte Falabella

El Corte Inglés has successfully completed a placement of senior bonds worth 600 million euros. Key investors include the European Central Bank, which has acquired a significant institutional position. The operation sets a new financial milestone for the company, as it is now its second issuance with an assigned rating. This particular bond issue has been rated investment grade by rating agency Standard & Poor's (BBB-) and Ba1 by Moody's and BB+ by Fitch.

El Corte Inglés successfully completes a new issuance of senior bonds worth 600 million euros

Related items:

• El Corte Inglés is launching its new home application
• El Corte Inglés launches a home design advisory service
• El Corte Inglés rolls out improved corporate face mask

What: Didier Maus is handing over the CEO position to Thierry Guibert early 2021

Why it is important: Although Mr Maus remains Chairman of the group, it is the first time that its management is given to an individual not coming from the founding families.

Maus Frères, who owns brands such as Lacoste, Aigle, The Kooples but also retailers such as Jumbo and IADS member Manor, the largest department store operator in Switzerland, changes its management. Mr Maus, who has been CEO for 28 years, will hand over the rein to Thierry Guibert early 2021. Mr Guibert has been in the group for 5 years and was in charge of the group's international development, as well as CEO of Lacoste (he will remain in that position). Mr. Maus will remain Chairman of the group.

Maus Frères Names Thierry Guibert CEO, Replacing Didier Maus

IADS member Magasin du Nord implemented an interesting initiative to ensure customers were safe when navigating the floors, and respecting the legal distance imposed by Danish health department: "Distancing Guides". In addition to the entrance staff dedicated to welcoming customers while reminding them about procedures (mask, gel and distance) the Distancing Guides are here to enforce customers dispersion on all floors of the stores and avoid unwanted gathering. 54 of them have been deployed so far (more to come for Christmas period) and this was noted by the Danish government: the Danish Minister for Commerce spent 30 mn instore in the Copenhaguen Kongens Nytorv flagship, and this generated a TV coverage. Magasin du Nord kindly shared with us their guidelines as we do believe this initiative could be interesting for other IADS members.

Magasin du Nord distance guidelines

On 16 October, El Palacio de Hierro celebrated the complete inauguration of Palacio Outlet, located in Centro Coyoacán, in Mexico City, with an investment of 8.2 million pesos. The space located on the ground floor of the shopping centre is divided into two parts: one of 1 750 square metres for home, electronics and technology, and another one of 1 147 square metres, dedicated to women's, men's and children's fashion and perfumery. Palacio Outlet has an operating profit of 35.2 million pesos (1.67 million US$) and expects to generate sales of 350 million pesos (16.5 million US$). In addition, it records a margin of 9.6%.

El Palacio de Hierro inaugura un nuevo outlet en Coyoacán (Spanish)

What: In September 2020, Breuninger opened its flagship store in Nuremberg after several months of renovation.

Why it is important: The store has been transformed into a state-of-the-art flagship store, thus investing in more brick-and-mortar retail.

Breuninger spent several months renovating their Nuremberg store location into a modernized flagship. CEO, Holger Blecker, explained the strategic decision to invest in the brick-and-mortar location in a statement saying, "We firmly believe in brick-and-mortar retail and feel close ties to the Nuremberg location. Especially in challenging times like these, it is our job as retailers to work for the revitalization and attractiveness of the inner cities…" The more than 700 square meter flagship features designer labels such as Valentino, Celine, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent and Loewe.

To connect the physical department stores with the online store, Breuninger has advanced their digitalization through innovative services. Customers have numerous service terminals that enable immediate product and assortment queries.  Digitally networked changing rooms facilitate stationary shopping with extended Click&Collection options that allow customers to reserve desired items in advanced and then try them out in the store.

The location also offers gastronomy concepts through a cocktail bar on the second floor, serving an extensive drink menu and the popular in-house Breuninger Confiserie, a confectionery which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2021.

Breuninger opened flagship store in Nuremberg

Breuninger opened flagship store in Nuremberg (EN)

IADS member The Mall Group has announced this summer a reorganization of its activities, into three business structures: retail estate (including malls), trading (including department stores) and finance, accounting and IT. A new generation of managers, both Thai and foreign, coming as a replacement of retiring executives, will help the group transformation. 6 locations will be renovated within next year and a change in leasing policy will help collecting increasing sources of revenue with rental fees, from previous locations that were previously managed with leasehold. According to chairwoman Supaluck Umpujh, the covid-19 pandemic will not stop nor slow the investment program already started.

The Mall reworks structure

The leading Swiss department store Manor is speeding-up the implementation of its strategic plans into digitalization and diversification of its products and services offers. This translates into:

• The launch of a marketplace on its e-commerce platform www.manor.ch to increase assortment variety (products and brands) in fashion, beauty and home
• The nomination of a Chief Digital Officer (CDO): Stefan Wetzler
• The simplification of the customer's digital journey: instore ordering, click-and-collect and mobile-responsive website
• The launch of a new free Manor World Mastercard®
• The implementation of partnerships with brands such as Sephora in fragrances
• The reinforcement of its local F&B supply chain strategy, via its 'Local' label, promoting locally-sourced fresh organic products

This plan includes a strategic reorganization at the HQ level, and the simplification of management layers at the stores level.

See the prress releases -available in German and French only.

Manor beschleunigt ihre strategische Transformation - german

Manor accélère la mise en place de son plan stratégique - french