What: The department store has partnered with Hideout, a company that specializes in exclusive sneakers, to host a basketball challenge in front of its Lausanne supermarket.

Why it is important: The event is a creative way for the department store to attract customers and build community.

Manor and Hideout will be giving away a pair of exclusive sneakers to every participant who makes a basket from a distance of 18 meters.

A DJ will host the afternoon and drinks will be provided by Manor Food and Manora Restaurant.

The event is organized in partnership with the Swiss Basketball Federation, Swiss Baksetball, who has provided the approved basket.

Manor partners with Hideout to host a challenge in Lausanne

What: The company has come up with multiple initiatives that will be developed throughout the year to celebrate the 40th year of Club del Gourmet.

Why it is important: The initiatives will reflect the unique and innovative concept of Club del Gourmet with exclusive and special edition products.

Club del Gourmet was created in 1982, making the company a pioneer and benchmark in haute cuisine as it launched an innovative concept that brought together a delicatessen, groceries, confectionery, winery, and a small bar.

Throughout the years, the company has partnered with nearly 1,000 prestigious national and international suppliers to offer more than 4,000 products.

Club del Gourmet has undergone different image changes, adapting to current trends but always focusing on excellence and variety and with a strict and careful selection of haute cuisine products.

Among the initiative proposed to celebrate the 40 year anniversary are agreements with suppliers and special editions of the most iconic products of its offering.

 El Corte Inglés celebrates the 40th anniversary of Club del Gourmet with new products and initiatives

What: The company has been recognized for the ninth consecutive year as a "Socially Responsible Company" (ESR).

Why it is important: The recognition demonstrates El Palacio de Hierro's social commitment to ensure its operations are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.

The ESR badge is granted by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy AC "Cemefi" and is awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social responsibility and sustainability.

El Palacio de Hierro's business strategy promotes social responsibility by ensuring that its operations use resources responsibly, with a long-term vision and respect for the environment.

The department store also received the recognition of "Exceptional Companies" and "Practices with a Social Dimension" in 2022.

El Palacio de Hierro has once again been established as a "Socially Responsible Company"

What: Woralak Tulaporn, Chief Marketing Officer at The Mall Group shared her views at the 12th Annual Shopping Malls Summit event in Bangkok.

Why it is important: Tulaporn discussed the future of retail which will go through experiences and sustainable success. Physical malls are considered alive and well. They are poised for a major revival.

The Mall Group shared its vision 

What: A new manager is taking over Hermione People & Brands, the company who oversees 26 Galeries Lafayette department stores.

Why it is important: The turnaround specialist, Michel Maire, joins HPB as it was placed under a safeguard procedure in February.

Michel Maire has been appointed CEO, replacing Eric Damrion who retired after working for the company for five years.

The Galeries Lafayette stores operated under HPB are located across multiple French regions and employ 1,109 people.

The Galeries Lafayette shops managed by HPB are now managed by Michel Maire

What: Dior has opened a 200 square meter shop-in-shop inside El Palacio de Hierro's Monterrey location.

Why it is important: The store is the house's first location in the northern region of the country and pays homage to the ties between the brand and the country.

The boutique is located behind a façade featuring Dior's signature cannage with natural tones contrasted by wood and raffia furniture. The minimalist décor is reflective of excellence and uniqueness of Mexican craftsmanship, featuring walls that are made of traditional local material.

The space only features womenswear, but offers an exclusive selection of ready-to-wear clothing, footwear, accessories, jewelry, and handbags.

Dior opens at El Palacio de Hierro Monterrey

What: Loewe's capsule summer collection can be found at Galeries Lafayette until June 1.

Why it is important: The Spanish brand has taken over the department store's windows and Mogador entrance as well as the atrium of the men's store and a corner of the shoe department.

Galeries Lafayette hosts Loewe Paula's Ibiza pop-up

What: Breuninger has given its online shops a new design in all ten markets.

Why it is important: Breuninger is making online shopping more attractive with larger product images and more modern design language.

The redesign, including the storytelling and content was carried out in-house by Breuninger.

The company is focusing on its omnichannel strategy and its brand by creating a unique shopping experience not only in store but also online.

Breuninger relaunches online shop 

What: The company has implemented an innovative audit system with the objective of verifying that the analysis carried out by El Corte Inglés suppliers comply with most demanding quality parameters.

Why it is important: El Corte Inglés is the first distribution company to have AENOR audit the analytical control plan of its own-brand food suppliers.

AENOR is the leading certification entity in Spain and will verify that El Corte Inglés suppliers are in accordance with the legislation and quality criteria of the company.

The new control program will reach 256 of company's own-brand food suppliers in the first phase with plans for 274 audits in 12 months.

The objectives of the new plan include: reinforcing food safety, verifying controls that suppliers carry out on their food products, detecting weaknesses in controls and points for improvement, and greater control of batches produced and raw materials among others.

El Corte Inglés promotes an innovative audit system with AENOR for its own brand suppliers

What: Through its To Breathe installation, Korean artist Kimsooja offers a new vision of the famous cupola. To enhance the experience, visitors can even visit the in-between dome.

Why it is important: After renovating its cupola, the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store offers a new artistic experience

By covering the inside historic dome with a film that diffracts the sun's rays, Kimsooja creates unique and ephemeral luminous landscapes on the exterior surfaces and in the interior spaces of the dome.

A new art installation at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store's cupola 

What: Galeries Lafayette announced it will be offering its own class at ESG Luxe to recruit, support and train the talens of tomorrow.

Why it is important: The class is a two year course made with the intention to ensure the success of its future managers.

The course is a certified training in work-study that will last for 2 years at the start of young professionals' careers. It is set to launch at the beginning of the school year.

Galeries Lafayette partners with ESG Luxe to offer its own training

What: Burberry debuted its new global store format in Mexico with the renovation of its store at El Palacio de Hierro Polanco.

Why it is important: The opening of the store marked the debut of the new concept in Latin America, making El Palacio de Hierro the first in the region to have the updated format.

The new concept features checkerboard mosaics, glossy white finishes, as well as glass and mirrors that reflect the natural light from outside, creating a bright atmosphere that imitates a gallery.

The opening included the arrival of the summer 2023 collection, which features women's ready-to-wear garments as well bags, footwear, and other accessories designed by Ricardo Tisci.

Daniel Lee's first installment, set to take place in the autumn-winter season will arrive in Mexico at the second half of the year according to Burberry's country manager in Mexico.

Burberry premieres its new global store concept in Mexico at El Palacio de Hierro

What: Galeries Lafayette is scaling up its ambitions for the Chinese market, forming a joint venture with Hopson Group, a major listed property firm in south-eastern China.

Why it is important: The alliance will accelerate the roll-out of the Galeries Lafayette brand in China, with plans to open 10 new stores by 2025 and strengthen the group's digital presence as part of an omnichannel approach.

As China gradually reopens, Galeries Lafayette is initiating a new phase in its Chinese growth through this strategic partnership. The partnership will come into effect over the next few weeks, with both parties holding equal shares and voting rights in the joint venture.

Collaboratively, the two partners will explore a new model for the development of China's high-end retail industry, creating a major retailer that is capable of responding to generational trends and has the strong potential for growth in domestic consumption between now and 2030.

Galeries Lafayette will leverage Hopson Group's property portfolio, expertise in high-end urban complexities and shopping centres, and its knowledge of the Chinese market while the Hopson Group can benefit from Galeries Lafayette's strong identity and fashion and luxury expertise.

The group is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its Beijing store, with plans to open three more locations in Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Macau this year.

Galeries Lafayette forms a joint venture with Hopson Group to initiate a new deployment phase in China

What: The renovations of Breuninger's flagship store in Düsseldorf have been completed with 14 new shop-in-shops.

Why it is important: The investments in the luxury and beauty areas show the department store's commitment to the future of stationary retail.

The upgrade and redesign has been in the works since 2019 under managing director Andreas Rebbelmund.

The luxury floor has grown by 30%, with beauty and leather goods totaling 3,500 square meters. Givenchy, Valentino, RImowa, MCM, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chloé are displayed on 1,800 square meters.

Balenciaga has tripled to 80 square meters with a new concrete ambiance and Saint Laurent and Celine have doubled their space. The department store has also started carrying Loewe which is positioned with bags at the main entrance.

The beauty area has also grown by 20% with 1,200 square meters featuring new spaces for brands like Tom Ford, Byredo, Diptyque, among others, as well as Le Labo being exclusively sold at the Düsseldorf location.

Breuninger opens new ground floor in Düsseldorf

What: High end and costume jewelry brands have been moved to the third floor of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann.

Why it is important: With the repositioning of the jewelry department, customers are encouraged to complete their looks as women's fashion labels are also displayed on this level of the department store.

Previously located on the ground floor, Galeries Lafayette's jewelry space has been relocated to the third floor of its Haussmann location in a space called "Le Bijou."

The space features around thirty brands from accessible to luxury with Agatha, Aristorazy, and Pandora being among the brands with their own corners.

Two multi-brand spaces are featured, "La Bijouterie" which is dedicated to precious items and features brands such as Charlotte Chesnais, Vanrycke, and Atelier Paulin, and the second space which is dedicated to fantasy, selling items by Satellite, Bohemian Rhapsodie, and two new brands, Pdpaola and Virginie Berman.

The elaborate décor of the dome plays nicely with the minimalistic display cabinets that are adorned with wood, ivory, or water green colors with golden hardware.

Galeries Lafayette elevates its jewelry space

What: Galeries Lafayette has reopened its Paris Haussmann Welcome & Shopping Center dedicated to Asian tourists and customers.

Why it is important: Galeries Lafeyette aims to offer a unique and unforgettable shopping experience to Asian tourists and customers.

They are also hiring for team members to support the store, including 4 managers and 7 customer service advisors.

Galeries Lafayette reopens Welcome & Shopping Center for Asian tourists

What: Breuninger hosted its Fashion x Food culinary event for around 1,000 guests at its Stuttgart flagship.

Why it is important: The department store is offering its customers unique experiences and unforgettable moments that demonstrate its commitment to providing unique service and excellent product quality.

At the event, guests experienced a unique combination of enjoyment, table culture, and lifestyle in addition to culinary highlights by top chefs, including nine-star chefs.

Various interpretations of gourmet dishes were served at over 24 stations from top chefs and local culinary artists.

Breuninger allows customers to experience a combination of exclusive events, excellent service, and attractive product quality through its lifestyle and fashion offering as well as its restaurants, cafés, and bars.

Breuninger hosts a gourmet evening in a class of its own

What: The SM Group was named the Manila Bulletin UPLIFT 2023 Awardee for Big Business for their contributions to improving the lives of Filipinos.

Why it is important: SM Groups continues to uplift and support its communities and customers through its recent initiatives.

The group was recognized for its initiatives regarding a countrywide climate action plan, signing up as a supporter of the United Nations Global Women Empowerment Principles, and its partnership with UNIQLO Foundation to plant at least 200,000 trees and create livelihood opportunities.

SM Group receives Manila Bulletin's UPLIFT 2023 Awards for Big Business

What: The Mall Group hosted and awarded students the TMG scholarship.

Why it is important: The Mall Group's Vice Chairman, Khun Grisana Umpujh, and Executive at The Mall Lifestore Ngamwongwan awarded over 200 scholarships to children who achieved outstanding academic results.

The ceremony was held at The Mall Korat.

The Mall Group hosts and awards students with scholarships

What: The final amount that El Corte Inglés paid for the acquisition of half of its stores has risen to EUR 500 million, including compensation and interest.

Why it is important: With this transaction, the department store group acquired 4.2 million shares, which meant 5.53% of the group's capital, half of the 10.33% that AI Thani came to own.

El Corte Inglés repurchased half of its shares in the group from Qatari investor Al Thani in 2022. The operation was originally valued at EUR 385 million, but the final amount has increased to EUR 500 million to include compensation and interest.

EUR 115 million has been added to the price, mostly as compensation to Primefin, the Luxembourg company through which Al Thani owned shares, after granting a loan of EUR 1 billion to El Corte Inglés in 2015.

El Corte Inglés paid EUR 500 million for the acquisition of half of Al Thani's shares

What: SM received Platinum Awards for excellence in corporate sustainability from The Asset, a Hong-Kong based multimedia company.

Why it is important: This is the company's 14th consecutive year receiving the award which recognizes its commitment to environmental, social and governance excellence.

SM receives highest honors from Hong Kong magazine

What: The department store group has achieved an operating profit of 1.03 billion euros in the 2022 financial year.

Why it is important: The operating result increased 20% compared to the 800 million euros reached the previous year and exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

The results were driven by the return of tourism as well as the group's fashion business which saw the highest margin.

El Corte Inglés has obtained a net profit without extraordinary items higher than the EUR 310 million it obtained in the 2019 financial year. The figure is almost three times the EUR 120 million in capital gains earned the previous year.

The department store group closed last year with a total net profit close to 1 billion euros, when accounting for the income obtained from the agreement with Mutua Madrileña who bought 50% of the group's insurance and wealth business for EUR 550 million and acquired 8% of the holding company's treasury stock for 555 million euros.

In 2021, El Corte Inglés ended the year with revenues of 12.507 million euros and again in profit. By the first quarter of 2022, it had already returned to pre-covid sales volumes.

The company renewed its leadership in 2022 by dividing management functions and is currently in the process of restructuring its workforce.

El Corte Inglés registers an EBITDA of more than 1 billion euros in 2022

What: El Corte Ingles' home department has launched a new catalog with four new collections centered around the theme "Our favorite place, your home."

Why it is important: The new catalog is committed to quality, variety, sustainability, as well as manufacturing in Spain and Portugal.

The four new collections featured in the Decora catalog include differing decoration styles. Flowers Conquer Your House is romantic and fresh, including floral and geometric prints with pops of color. Contrast Game is more modern, inspired by the 80s with intense and primary colors combined with black and white. The Inner Garden collection is tropical-inspired with bright colors and prints in green tones while the Life in Calm collection features warm, neutral tones with simple lines and vintage pieces.

Products range from a variety of furniture and decorative objects to air fresheners and textiles as well as tableware, kitchenware, and lighting.

El Corte Inglés Home presents its 'Decora' catalog with four new collections for this season

What: The Mall Group won the award Top Influential Brands, as the top brand with the highest influence on consumers in 2022 in the department store category and the Outstanding Leadership Award for Brand Management.

Why it is important: The awards reinforce the success of The Mall Group's business operations, making them a leading shopping centre and department store group in the Asian retail industry.

The award ceremony is considered the biggest of the year, with six countries across Asia participating for the 10th year. The awards are held in collaboration with Influential Brands CO., Ltd., and Neo Target Company Limited.

The awards involve an intensive evaluation and selection criteria by the management at Influential Brands, making it an honor and pride to be selected. Research is also conducted from more than 1,000 consumers' voices across all industries ranging from ages 24-39. The results are made available between June and July, encouraging brands to improve and develop in various dimensions.

The Mall Group wins 2 major awards from the 2022 Asia Influential Brands Awards