Authors: Gerd Gigerenzer

What: Gerd Gigerenzer presents a systematic treatise on practical decision-making informed by the difference between risk and uncertainty.

Why it is important: Gerd Gigerenzer argues that most practical decisions occur under uncertainty, not calculable risk. Since probabilities are rarely known or stable, complex statistical models can mislead both experts and laypeople. Instead, Gigerenzer’s central thesis is that risk literacy enables more dependable judgments than elaborate calculations.

Book Review: Risk Savvy: How to make good decisions 

Authors: Stefanie K.Johnson

What: Inclusify offers a practical, research-informed approach to creating workplace cultures where people feel both valued for their individuality and included as part of a team. Drawing on leadership studies, behavioural science, and real-world examples, Stefanie K. Johnson introduces “inclusifying” as an active leadership practice that involves balancing uniqueness and belonging. Rather than relying on broad diversity goals or vague culture statements, the book provides a clear path toward inclusive leadership.

Why it is important: Diversity initiatives often focus on who is at the table, but inclusion determines whether those voices are heard and valued. Without psychological safety and a culture of belonging, diverse teams risk becoming disengaged or ineffective. This book addresses a critical gap by helping leaders understand how their everyday behaviours and team dynamics can either promote or prevent inclusion. In a workplace landscape where innovation, retention, and trust depend on culture, Inclusify offers a timely and grounded approach.

Book Review: Inclusify – The power of uniqueness and belonging to build innovative teams

Authors: Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, and Emily Gregory

What: Crucial Conversations introduces a practical, research-based approach to managing high-stakes conversations with skill and emotional intelligence. It focuses on moments where opinions differ, emotions run high, and the outcome truly matters. Instead of offering generic communication advice, the book outlines a set of tools and mindsets that help individuals stay calm, speak honestly, and foster constructive dialogue in even the most challenging situations.

Why it is important: Many conversations have the potential to strengthen or damage a relationship, resolve or escalate a conflict, or influence an important decision. These situations are often avoided or mishandled, leading to misunderstanding and distrust. This book equips readers to approach such moments with clarity, intention, and composure. With updates addressing hybrid work, digital communication, and contemporary workplace dynamics, the third edition is timely and widely applicable.

Book Review: Crucial Conversations

Authors: Lily Zheng

What: This book offers a rigorous and practical guide to doing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work effectively. Lily Zheng draws on academic research, organisational theory, historical insight, and lived experience to reposition DEI as a discipline rooted in results rather than appearances.

Why it is important: During a time of increased scrutiny and justifiable scepticism around corporate DEI efforts, Zheng’s book offers a recalibration. She articulates why so many initiatives fail: poor strategy, lack of trust, and absence of measurable outcomes. She proposes a framework for systemic change that addresses these gaps. Essentially, Zheng reminds us that DEI is not a branding exercise but an ethical and strategic imperative, writing: "Unless we expect a basic standard of demonstrating effectiveness... our work will fundamentally lack accountability."

Book Review: DEI deconstructed

Authors: Erin Meyers

What: A research-based and highly accessible guide that helps professionals navigate the complexities of working across cultures. Erin Meyer introduces a structured framework of eight cultural scales that influence workplace behaviour, including how people communicate, evaluate feedback, lead, trust, make decisions, and manage time. Drawing on extensive global experience, Meyer provides practical strategies for managing these differences effectively in multinational environments.

Why it is important: As globalisation changes how we work, collaboration across cultures is now a regular part of professional life. Many common challenges, such as unclear feedback, delayed decisions, or missed deadlines, often come from cultural differences rather than a lack of ability. This book gives managers, team leaders, and professionals practical tools to recognise and adapt to these differences. Instead of relying on stereotypes or general advice, it offers a clear framework based on real examples and research to help teams work together more effectively.

Book Review: The culture map

Authors: Raphael Kaplinsky

What: Raphael Kaplinsky highlights the social and political sides of technology-based solutions to the climate crisis for non-academic audiences.

Why it is important: The central thesis is the transition to a new paradigm, driven by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), that offers an opportunity to build a more prosperous, equitable, and environmentally sustainable world. Kaplinsky advocates for an integrated agenda that unites economic, social, and environmental policies, emphasising the need for collaboration among governments, the private sector, and civil society.

Book Review: Sustainable Futures

What: The IGDS’ annual department store summit focused on the notion of service centricity for today’s’ and tomorrow’s customers, covering topics ranging from assortment curation to process management, brand identity and, importantly, K-culture, as Lotte hosted the event.

Why it is important: We have selected the most relevant presentations, including the one from IADS member Kamshim Lau from Lifestyle Inc., but also the sessions which allowed to know more about the Korean market specificities (Lotte, Amorepacific), and other international retailers (including Parco, Liberty, Brown Thomas, Central).

IGDS World Department Store Summit 2025

What: The IADS attended the 2025 edition of the World Retail Congress, held in London from May 13 to 14. According to the organisers, attendance reached a record level compared to the previous session in Paris. In any case, there was a palpable sense of excitement among the crowd, which has been interpreted by some as the joy of meeting peers and exchanging with them in a world increasingly uncertain for retailers. The spectacular guest line-up also contributed to the energy of the event.

Why it is important: During this edition, the IADS had the opportunity to moderate a roundtable between IADS member Juan Carlos Escribano from El Palacio de Hierro, along with Jennifer Woo, Chairwoman of Lane Crawford, and Leonie Foster, COO of Selfridges. Also, Patrick Chalhoub was inducted into the Retail Hall of Fame. Finally, Peter Ruis from John Lewis took part to a roundtable on Retail Media, while Enrique Ostalé, Chairman of Falabella, discussed his group forays in AI.

World Retail Congress 2025 IADS report

What: Harvard Business Review France organised a conference with French philosopher Raphael Enthoven in May 2025. This conference is their annual highlight, when they try to bring food for thought to their subscribers.

Why it is important: Harvard Business Review, published in French for about ten years by Prisma Media, has established itself as a reference in the business world, addressing classic themes such as leadership, management, and careers, but also contemporary issues like post-Covid work organization and AI. The think tank aims to enable leaders to think and act ahead of major issues, extending the magazine’s reflection through targeted events.

Havard Business Review France 2025: Ai and its limits

Authors: Shoshana Zuboff

What: Shoshana Zuboff presents a comprehensive analysis of a modern paradigm shift that has emerged in the digital age. She characterises surveillance capitalism as ‘a new economic order that claims human experience as free raw material for hidden commercial practices of extraction, prediction, and sales’, among other definitions.

Why it is important: The identification and detailed articulation of surveillance capitalism as a new and distinct economic system is key as it informs the activities of several organisations in the current scenario. Tech giants such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, etcetera, that are now critical to all economic actors, are often seen as revolutionary and standalone but Zuboff puts their actions in the larger social framework of surveillance capitalism.

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism

What: Coresight Research, in collaboration with Centric Software, organised a webinar on how the retail sector can adapt to mounting tariff pressures.

Why it is important: The timely discussion focused on navigating new US tariffs and maintaining profitability amid shifting consumer sentiment. The speakers (Steven Winnick, Vice President Innovator Services, Coresight Research, and Danielle Tan, Marketing Business Unit Lead Centric Software) shared practical strategies for implementing dynamic, customer-centric pricing, uncovering cost-saving opportunities, and leveraging advanced technologies to stay agile amid growing economic uncertainty due to US tariffs.

Coresight: Adapting to tariff pressures - Strategies for retail success

What: French Founders, a global network of French entrepreneurs, organised a conference discussing China's economic transformation and its implications for global trade and monetary policy. The discussion, led by economist David Baverez, explored China's evolution from a low-cost manufacturer to a technological innovator and potential monetary superpower.

Why it's important: This report highlights a significant shift in global economic dynamics, with China emerging as a direct competitor to European companies in key sectors. It also emphasises the potential for future conflicts to be fought on monetary grounds rather than through traditional commercial or technological means, presenting new challenges and opportunities for businesses and policymakers worldwide.

French Founders 2025 IADS report

What:The IADS attended a conference as part of a larger cycle organised by the Institut Français de la Mode, IFM Highlights, which covers and questions the challenges and future of luxury and fashion in the current world. For this session, IFM invited Sébastien Falletti, Asia Correspondent for the French newspaper Le Figaro, based in Seoul, Korea, to give his views on the current state of the business in the region.

Why it's important: Asia is embracing a new momentum in 2025, marked by a transforming China and the rise of emerging players in Southeast Asia. Vietnam and Thailand are experiencing rapid growth, South Korea continues to innovate, while Japan maintains its regional influence and attracts investments again. Economic models, the digital ecosystem, and soft power reposition the continent as a significant geopolitical and economic hub. This conference covered the evolving landscape of Asia and its multifaceted perspectives.

Institut Français de la Mode 2025: Asian perspectives IADS report

What: The IADS attended the RLC Global Forum in Riyadh, KSA, on February 4-5, 2025. This by-invitation-only event featured high-quality sessions focused on Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and South-East Asia, with key players from these regions.

Why it is important: Discussions centred on potential scenarios for global trade, the promise of the Middle East (especially with potential expansion of the Abraham Accords), and the growth potential of South-South trade. A concerning development for e-commerce retailers is the potential modification of the USD 800 de minimis threshold for duty-free imports into the US, plus more controlled cross-border commerce in the EU. Also covered how "shop-entertainment" on platforms like TikTok can be a trillion-dollar opportunity and how AI is reshaping retail, impacting productivity and customer experience, plus insights on cross-border business challenges in KSA.

RLC Global Forum 2025 IADS report

What: While experiencing a slight dip in 2024, the personal luxury goods market is projected to grow by 1-3% in 2025 and 2-4% from 2025-2027. The broader luxury industry, including experiences, is expected to see annualised growth of 5-9% by 2030.

Why it is important: Consumers’ shift from brand loyalty to individual expression, the demand for unique experiences, and economic uncertainties require brands to rethink growth strategies. Relying solely on price hikes is unsustainable, and brands must refocus on value creation, personalisation, and cultural engagement to maintain relevance.

NellyRodi - Reshaping luxury presentation

NellyRodi - Reshaping luxury takeaways

What: Vogue Business and Google hosted the Luxury AI Summit following the AI Action Summit hosted by the French government earlier in the month.

Why it is important: The event explored expanding possibilities of meaningful AI in the luxury industry, what it means for discovery and experiences, and what leading fashion and beauty brands are prioritising in their transformation journeys.

Vogue Business and Google AI in Luxury Summit 2025: Meaningful AI

What: The IADS attended Darbyon’s inaugural “AI Breakfast” in Paris, a closed-door event bringing luxury and fashion leaders together to discuss the state of AI. ESL Rivington debriefed the key takeaways from the recent French AI Summit.

Why it is important: Discussions revealed AI's evolution into a strategic, geopolitical asset, as emphasized by the French government's recent AI Summit. The breakfast explored AI's potential to revolutionize luxury marketing through customized solutions, offering a fourfold increase in content production and a significant reduction in cost per lead through Dynamic Creative Optimisation (DCO). Key discussion also went into the decentralisation of Marketing Operations. Brand asset protection and the evolution of regulatory challenges remain critical factors for the industry to consider.

French AI Summit 2025 IADS report

What: NellyRodi presented the 10 most important trends for 2025.

Why it is important: In a fragmented world, the conference helps to understand the various trends underlying customer expectations.

NellyRodi - Beyond trends, gearing up for 2025 presentation

NellyRodi - Beyond trends, gearing up for 2025 takeaways

The IADS attended the 2025 annual Federation of International Retail Association (FIRA) meeting, of which IADS is a member. FIRA has proved a valuable investment in the past years regarding contacts and insights (membership is €1,400 a year), not to mention the free and reduced NRF passes offered to IADS members.

This year was similarly useful in terms of learnings and persons encountered. 56 delegates (63 last year) from 29 federations (31 last year) attended.

Due to the current context, the most interesting presentations were related to the US economy, what to expect from politics in the country, and a (much contrasting) state of the European commerce.

This document sums up the FIRA meetings. The NRF conferences we attended are summarised in a separate document, as well as the store visits.

FIRA 25 MEETING REPORT

Retail Outlook by Mark Mathews, NRF

US Policy in Transition by David French, NRF

EuroCommerce by Christel Delberghe

Update EU Digital Policy Issues BY Stephan Tromp

What: The IADS was present at the inaugural Retail Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, held January 27-29, 2025. This edition brought together 400 delegates from 29 countries and featured 63 speakers (98% C-suite) to discuss the evolving retail landscape.

Why it is important: The summit was significant because it highlighted the booming Saudi market, driven by a young, digitally engaged, and increasingly female population with high disposable income. Key discussions centered around navigating nationalisation, omnichannel strategies, VAT implications, and the rise of Asian e-commerce platforms. Additionally, luxury retail evolution was addressed, focusing on challenges in the Chinese market, "creativity flattening," and the need to reconnect with aspirational customers. The emphasis on customer experience emphasized the importance of authentic human connection, purpose-driven approaches, and the power of storytelling.

The Retail Summit 2025 provided invaluable insights into both the opportunities and complexities within the KSA market and the broader retail industry. This report offers a curated selection of the most relevant takeaways for our members.

The Retail Summit 2025 IADS report

Authors:Ethan Mollick

What: A comprehensive, accessible and thought-provoking exploration of AI by a prominent researcher on AI and its impact on work, entrepreneurship and education.

Why it is important: This book stands out in the landscape of books on the topic thanks to its unique focus on practical, non-technical insights expressed in an accessible language. Its focus on creativity and how AI can encourage it, not replace it, is based on actual examples illustrating Mollick’s “four rules for co-intelligence”, designed to encourage human-AI collaboration through ethical and practical engagement with AI

Co-Intelligence, living and working with AI

What: Tech for Retail offers a complete overview of digital tools and technological innovations dedicated to the retail industry.

Why it is important: The conference brings together interesting companies and solutions that are showcased over two days. This year, IADS attended the salon in Paris to scout out the key trends and startups that could be of value to our members. We have recounted the major themes and companies offering solutions to these trends.

Tech for Retail

The IADS attended the 2024 edition of the Rarely Heard Voices Conference, a closed-door event where 100 retail leaders gather in strict privacy: no journalists, no publicity, no pushy sponsors. Participants do not even wear badges. Rarely Heard Voices is also a company that researches retail brand data (“data that cannot be scraped” in their own words, including proprietary data from the seven largest social platforms in the world, tracking 500+ fashion brands), and advises retailers to broker deals.

This report is a selection of the most relevant insights gathered for our members. It is kept non-public and not advertised in our newsletter.

Rarely Heard Voices 2024

The IADS attended the 2024 edition of the Leadership in Retail conference, organized by IADS’ partner Retailhub. This event is invitation-only, and gather in a very exclusive and secretive way around 100 Italian CEOs from various retail verticals, with the goal to offer them a confidential and relaxed way to interact and exchange.

This report is a selection of the most relevant insights gathered for our members. It is kept non-public and not advertised in our newsletter.

Retail Hub Leadership in Retail 2024