What: Shinsegae Group has appointed 32 new executives, including its first female CEO, as part of a major leadership reshuffle focused on generational change and performance.

Why it is important: This leadership transformation reflects Shinsegae’s ongoing strategy to adapt to market challenges and strengthen competitiveness, as seen in recent restructuring and digital partnerships.

Shinsegae Group’s latest executive appointments mark a pivotal moment in the company’s evolution, with 32 new leaders—including its first female CEO—ushering in a new era of generational change and performance-driven management. The reshuffle follows the group’s strategic split between department store and E-Mart divisions, a move designed to address divergent business results and enable more specialized leadership. By promoting a significant number of executives in their 40s and replacing heads of underperforming affiliates, Shinsegae is signaling a clear commitment to rejuvenation and accountability. The integration of e-commerce expertise, particularly through the appointment of a new Gmarket CEO with a background at Alibaba’s Lazada, underscores the group’s focus on digital transformation and international collaboration. These changes are set against a backdrop of industry-wide challenges, with Shinsegae investing in premium concepts and operational efficiency to regain competitiveness. The group’s emphasis on diversity, innovation, and performance positions it to navigate Korea’s polarized retail market and drive sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving environment.

IADS Notes: Shinsegae’s executive overhaul builds on the strategic separation of its department store and E-Mart operations in November 2024, reflecting a need for specialized management and generational renewal (Donga, November 2024). This transformation is reinforced by operational restructuring and expansion into off-price and premium retail (The Chosun Daily, January 2025; Maeil Business Newspaper, February 2025), as well as the launch of a joint venture with Alibaba to strengthen digital capabilities (Inside Retail, September 2025; Fashion Network, January 2025). These moves are part of a broader industry trend, as Shinsegae invests in renovations and new concepts to regain competitiveness, while rivals like Lotte focus on efficiency (Korea JoongAng Daily, August 2025). The group’s commitment to diversity and digital innovation is positioning it for future growth in Korea’s challenging retail landscape.

Shinsegae appoints 32 new executives, including first woman CEO