Letter from the IADS President

The 62nd General Assembly of the IADS elected Breuninger CEO Holger Blecker as its new president on 28 October 2021 in Paris. The 51-year-old retail expert will represent the international association for an initial period of one year. Breuninger has been a member of the IADS since 1987 and previously provided a president of the IADS in 1991 with Willem G. van Agtmael. Holger Blecker is now succeeding Juan Carlos Escribano, CEO of the Palacio de Hierro SAB de Group (Mexico).

"Leading the IADS with its world-famous department stores during these challenging times is a great honour and is of particular significance for me. 

Together, we represent strong department stores that are resolutely tackling the challenges of the future and undergoing major transformations. All members have their roots in retail and share a strong commitment to in-store, service-oriented commerce and vibrant cities as well as the opportunities of digitalisation. As department stores, we are always reinventing ourselves and creating an attractive lifestyle experience for our customers.

Together with the new vice-president Kamshim Lau (Lifestyle International Holdings Hong Kong), we will promote the interests of the IADS and further expand the position of the association in the international trade sector." 

 Holger Blecker
CEO
E. Breuninger GmbH & Co