Timeline
From 1920 to 1940: A Pioneering Vision
1928
Foundation of IADS office in Paris
The Retail Research Group of Department Stores was born in Europe in the course of 1928 and its office established in Paris. In 1931, the name was changed to the present International Association of Department Stores.
1936
monthly Retail News Letter
Regular overview of relevant retail news published and distributed on paper until 2006 and available online since.
1939
IADS office moves to Copenhagen
From 1940 to 1970: Years of Growth and Development
1951
IADS office moves to Geneva
1953
Creation of early ACI in Brussels
A group of IADS members set up the Association Internationale de Commerce et de Gestion (later to become the ACI Association Commerciale Internationale) in 1953 with headquarters in Brussels.
1954
publication of "The Department Store" by H. Pasdermadjian
The classic book on department stores written by the General Secretary of IADS.
1955
IADS office moves to Paris
From 1970 to 2002: New Challenges and Internationalisation
1970s onward
first Australian, Asian and Latin American members
1982
ACI office moves to Copenhagen
1995
IADS ACADEMY
Young potentials programme1998
Launch of IADS website
2000 - Present: An Exclusive and Top-Quality Association
2008-2009
First meetings on sustainability and online retailing
2010
IADS & ACI join forces in Paris
2017
NEW EXTRANET PLATFORM
2018
IADS TURNS 90
First Retail Study Tour opened to the public
2020
IADS reinvents itself
In the midst of the pandemic, the Association initiated a transformational process in order to remain close to its members’ needs. A new partnership with NellyRodi is signed, the IADS publishes its first White Paper ever and makes it available to the general public, and, most importantly, provides operational and organized support to its members by answering their direct business-oriented requests in a simple and coordinated way.
2022
The IADS stands out in the world of global retail associations
By inking partnerships with The Style Pulse and Retail Hub, the IADS continues to provide a relevant, unique and business-oriented set of support and services to its members, that confirms its unique status in the world of retail associations.
