What: Olivier Bron explains in an interview how department stores do not have to reinvent themselves to survive.

Why it is important: Since joining as CEO of Bloomingdale's last year, Olivier Bron has implemented a growth strategy focussed on updating stores and customising them to their specific markets while investing in vendor relationships.

Bron's strategy is rooted in winning back the favour of fashion brands that have grown wary of wholesale, as well as making changes that will resonate with Bloomingdale's' particular demographic - younger shoppers that prefer a less formal experience. The retailer will continue investing in brand-specific activations while creating and facilitating new collaborations. Bloomingdale's is also looking to make major alterations in its 59th street Manhattan flagship, including expanding the luxury footprint, building new shop-in-shops and revamping its design shoe section. Bron believes that despite its lengthy nature, this project will help set the chain up for success for years to come.

Bloomingdale's CEO on the future of American department stores

What: Falabella Retail has expanded its free personal shopper service to its store in the Costanera Center shopping centre in Santiago, Chile.

Why it is important: This expansion enhances the shopping experience for Falabella's customers, providing them with personalised fashion advice and boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty. The significant increase in service usage also indicates a successful strategy for the retailer.

Falabella Retail has introduced an exclusive free personal shopper service at its store in the Costanera Center shopping centre in Santiago, Chile. This service, which has been available since October 10, offers 90-minute consultation sessions that include colour analysis, advice on choosing clothes to flatter the customer's figure, and recommendations on the latest fashion trends. The service can be booked through the Falabella mobile app or website and is open to the general public.

The personal shopper service has grown substantially, with 6,100 customers using it in the latest fiscal year, representing a 39% increase from 2022. The majority of these customers, 85%, are women who were primarily attracted through email marketing campaigns, digital press releases, recommendations, and social networks.

Isabel Ibieta, Falabella's experience manager, highlighted the positive impact of the service, noting high customer satisfaction ratings between 9.5 and 10. The conversion rate of customers who make purchases after the consultation exceeds 97%, indicating that the service not only provides new ideas but also helps customers find a look that reflects their personal style. This expansion makes the Costanera Center store the fifth Falabella location to offer this service, joining other stores in Alto Las Condes, Parque Arauco, Antofagasta, and El Trébol in Concepción.

Falabella enhances personal shopper service in Chile

What: Mo White has been appointed as the CEO of Threads Styling, a social retail platform owned by Chalhoub Group, focusing on expanding in high-growth markets like the U.S. and the Middle East.

Why it is important: This leadership change marks a strategic move by the Chalhoub Group to strengthen Threads Styling's presence in key international markets and enhance its focus on luxury experiences for mobile-first consumers. Mo White's extensive experience in the luxury and retail sectors is expected to drive significant growth and innovation for the platform.

Threads Styling, a chat-based personal shopping platform under Chalhoub Group, has appointed Mo White as its new CEO. White, who brings over 25 years of experience in luxury goods, beauty, and retail, will succeed founder Sophie Hill. Her role will oversee brand development, culture, and commercial partnerships, particularly in expanding markets such as the U.S. and the Middle East. She will be based in London and report to Zahra Kassim-Lahka, Chalhoub's chief investment officer.

White aims to "future-proof" Threads' business model and facilitate its global expansion. Her previous roles include chief marketing officer at Victoria Beckham and general manager at Glossier in London. Michael Chalhoub, president of strategy at Chalhoub Group, expressed confidence in White's ability to elevate Threads Styling internationally.

Threads Styling focuses on providing personalised shopping experiences for high-net-worth individuals through social media and chat-based commerce. The platform connects customers with over 200 personal shoppers and curates luxury wardrobes. Founded in London in 2009, Threads is known for sourcing rare pieces and offering style inspiration to Gen Z and Millennial customers.

Chalhoub Group acquired Threads in 2022 to enhance its luxury consumer engagement across various channels. The group operates over 750 retail stores in eight Middle Eastern countries and partners with over 450 international brands across luxury, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle categories.

Chalhoub Group appoints CEO to lead Threads Styling's global expansion

What: El Corte Inglés is financing a customised therapy project for breast cancer, joining four other research initiatives it has supported over the past decade.

Why it is important: This commitment underscores El Corte Inglés's dedication to advancing breast cancer research and developing innovative treatments, particularly for patients with limited options. By funding these projects, the company contributes significantly to the fight against cancer and supports cutting-edge medical research.

El Corte Inglés continues its partnership with the Spanish Association Against Cancer by funding a new customised therapy project for HER2+ breast cancer. This phase I clinical trial, led by Dr. Julio Delgado, aims to evaluate the toxicity and effectiveness of ARI-HER2+ cells and design a new cell therapy drug. The company has pledged EUR 1 million over five years to support this study, which is primarily conducted at the Clinic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Center.

This initiative builds on previous projects funded by El Corte Inglés since 2014, focusing on various aspects of breast cancer treatment, including alternative therapies, precision medicine, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy. The ongoing collaboration has resulted in significant advancements, such as the creation and validation of TIL products and the initiation of clinical trials.

The current project involves three Spanish institutions: Hospital Clinic Barcelona-IDIBAPS, Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid, and Clínica Universidad de Navarra. Researchers will test different drug doses to establish an effective treatment protocol. The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Healthcare Products has approved the new product and is expected to greenlight the clinical trial soon.

El Corte Inglés's sustained support for breast cancer research highlights its commitment to social responsibility and innovation in healthcare, aiming to provide new hope for patients through groundbreaking therapies.

El Corte Inglés advances breast cancer research with new customised therapy project

What: El Corte Inglés is challenging creatives to submit innovative ideas for retail at the Web Summit, with applications open until October 20.

Why it is important: This initiative reflects El Corte Inglés's commitment to innovation and adapting to new trends in retail, particularly in the areas of new technologies, differentiated customer experiences, and more efficient processes. It also highlights the company's efforts to enhance its omnichannel shopping experience.

El Corte Inglés, a prominent Spanish department store chain, has partnered with the Web Summit for the first time to encourage innovators to present groundbreaking ideas for the retail sector. The challenge, open until October 20, invites participants to submit ideas focused on purchases using new technologies, creating differentiated customer experiences, and improving operational efficiency. The six best ideas will be showcased at El Corte Inglés's stand during the Web Summit, which takes place from November 11 to 14 in Lisbon. The winning idea will receive a prize of EUR 15,000.

El Corte Inglés, with a significant presence in Lisbon and Porto, has been accelerating its digitalisation process in recent years. This Retail Challenge is part of the company's strategy to innovate and adapt to new trends, aiming to provide customers with the best possible omnichannel shopping experience. The initiative underscores El Corte Inglés's commitment to excellence and desire to incorporate new methods and technologies to enhance customer satisfaction.

El Corte Inglés seeks innovative retail ideas at Web Summit

What: El Corte Inglés has partnered with McKinsey & Company to develop a new strategic plan following several years of financial adjustments.

Why it is important: This collaboration aims to revitalise El Corte Inglés' business operations and enhance its competitive edge in the retail market, signalling a significant step towards sustainable growth and improved financial performance.

El Corte Inglés, a major Spanish department store chain, has enlisted the expertise of McKinsey & Company to craft a new strategic plan. This partnership comes after a period of financial adjustments for the retailer, reflecting its commitment to revitalising its business operations. The strategic plan will focus on optimising efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and leveraging digital transformation to boost competitiveness. By collaborating with McKinsey, El Corte Inglés seeks to identify growth opportunities and implement innovative solutions that align with current market dynamics. This initiative underscores the company's dedication to achieving long-term sustainability and maintaining its leadership position in the retail sector.

El Corte Inglés partners with McKinsey for new strategic plan

What: Galeries Lafayette Group's investment arm unveils La Maison, a physical space in Paris dedicated to nurturing early-stage tech startups and hosting industry events.

Why it is important: La Maison exemplifies the growing trend of retailers investing in tech ecosystems, highlighting the importance of physical spaces in fostering innovation and community in an increasingly digital retail landscape.

Motier Ventures, the family office of Galeries Lafayette Group, has launched La Maison, a startup hub in Paris. Located in the Lafayette Gourmet building near the Opéra Garnier, La Maison will host a dozen early-stage startups across its top three floors, with the fourth floor serving as an event space.

Set to open in early 2025, La Maison aims to support "exceptional teams" by providing not just a workspace but also a place for collective reflection on societal vision. This initiative follows Motier Ventures' rapid deployment of capital, with investments in 85 companies over the past three years, including prominent AI firms.

Guillaume Houzé, founder of Motier Ventures, emphasises that La Maison is part of a broader ecosystem-first approach, reflecting the family's five-generation commitment to entrepreneurship. The space is designed to cultivate an environment where tech entrepreneurs can feel supported, inspired, and connected daily.

This development aligns with a growing trend in retail where physical spaces are being reimagined to foster innovation and community, potentially reshaping the French tech startup ecosystem and the future of retail experiences.

IADS Notes: The launch of La Maison by Motier Ventures reflects a broader trend in the retail industry where physical spaces are being reimagined to foster innovation and community. This aligns with Siam Paragon's creation of a collaborative digital tech ecosystem, demonstrating how retail spaces can be transformed into tech hubs. The concept of 'third places' in retail, as discussed in the articles about creating community and fashion brands embracing these spaces, resonates with La Maison's purpose as a hub for startups and events. This trend extends beyond just offering products to creating environments that encourage interaction and innovation. Furthermore, the report on retail leaders investing in innovation supports the strategic decision of Galeries Lafayette Group to invest in a tech investment firm, suggesting that such investments can lead to higher returns and keep retailers at the forefront of industry changes.

Galeries Lafayette's Motier Ventures unveils La Maison, a community space for the French tech ecosystem

What: Kiko Milano, the Italian cosmetics brand, is expanding its presence in France by opening outlets in Galeries Lafayette department stores, marking its first venture outside its own boutiques in the country.

Why it is important: This move signifies a strategic shift for Kiko Milano to broaden its customer base and enhance brand visibility by leveraging the established platform of Galeries Lafayette, a prestigious French department store chain.

Kiko Milano, known for its affordable and innovative cosmetics, is making a significant shift in its French market strategy by partnering with Galeries Lafayette. This development marks the brand's first entry into department stores in France, starting with an outlet in Grenoble and plans for further openings in Annecy, Metz, Dijon, and Nantes. The initiative aims to expand Kiko Milano's audience while staying true to its core values of offering high-quality products at accessible prices. This strategic expansion coincides with new management under Hugues Laurençon and follows a recent investment by L Catterton, which valued the brand at approximately 1.4 billion euros. With a turnover of 800 million euros in 2023 and a growth rate of 20%, Kiko Milano aims to achieve 1.25 billion euros in net sales by 2027 with a target of 2,000 points of sale globally. For Galeries Lafayette, hosting Kiko Milano enhances its beauty product offerings and attracts a broader clientele interested in affordable luxury cosmetics.

Galeries Lafayette welcomes Kiko Milano's expansion

What: Bloomie's, a smaller specialty format of Bloomingdale's, is set to open its fourth location in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, on November 14.

Why it is important: This expansion reflects Macy's strategy to enhance its physical retail presence and cater to local markets by offering a more accessible shopping experience. The new Bloomie's aims to strengthen brand engagement in areas with existing customer bases and high demand for contemporary women's fashion.

Bloomie's, the compact specialty store format of Bloomingdale's, will open its fourth location in Shrewsbury, N.J., on November 14. Situated in The Grove shopping center, this 20,000-square-foot store will exclusively offer women's contemporary fashion, accessories, beauty products, and fine jewelry. It will feature brands such as Mother, Veronica Beard, and Chanel Beauty. The Shrewsbury Bloomie's will also include a grab-and-go version of Forty Carrots, known for its frozen yogurt. This opening is part of Macy's Inc.'s "Bold New Chapter" strategy, which involves expanding small-format stores like Bloomie's while closing underperforming locations. The strategy aims to increase market coverage and provide convenient shopping alternatives for customers who previously relied on online shopping ortravelledd long distances to full-line stores. The new store will host events like a "winter village" and a holiday bash to attract visitors. Macy's plans to operate 15 Bloomie's locations by 2026 as part of its broader retail innovation efforts.

Bloomie's expands with new location in Shrewsbury, N.J.

What: Breuninger has completed the expansion of its logistics centre in Sachsenheim, incorporating one of Europe's largest AutoStore systems to enhance efficiency.

Why it is important: This expansion is crucial for Breuninger's long-term growth strategy, enabling the company to improve its logistics capabilities, meet increasing demand, and maintain its competitive edge in the European retail market.

Breuninger has finalised the expansion of its logistics centre in Sachsenheim, Baden-Württemberg, increasing its gross floor area to over 115,000 square metres. A key feature of this development is the integration of a large-scale AutoStore system, an advanced automated storage and retrieval technology that optimises intralogistics processes. This system enhances storage density and speeds up order processing, crucial for meeting the growing demand for swift and flexible deliveries. The AutoStore system allows Breuninger to efficiently manage increased order volumes without significant structural changes, improving working conditions by reducing manual labour. Holger Blecker, CEO of Breuninger, emphasised that this expansion lays the foundation for future growth and strengthens Breuninger's position as a leading omnichannel department store in Europe. The logistics centre, established in 2019, is among Europe's most modern in the fashion sector and includes facilities like a photo studio and confectionery production.

Breuninger expands its logistics centre in Sachsenheim, enhancing automation

What: Galeries Lafayette in Lyon Bron has reopened with a new 9,200 m² extension, marking a significant step in its ongoing renovation and expansion project.

Why it is important: This reopening is part of a strategic effort to revitalise the store, attract customers back, and enhance its competitive position in the region, with plans for further expansion and new amenities by 2026.

Starting October 14, Galeries Lafayette in Lyon Bron welcomes visitors to its newly renovated and expanded premises. The store, which has been a landmark since 1964, had seen declining customer numbers due to its outdated facilities. The recent reopening features a 9,200 m² extension, renewing about 40% of its offerings. Despite past challenges, the store maintains a loyal customer base of 100,000 and boasts a high conversion rate. The strategic location near key transport links and the availability of ample parking enhance its appeal. The renovation project, overseen by the Moatti-Rivière architectural firm, is not yet complete. The next phase will include restructuring the existing structure and adding new extensions, ultimately expanding the site to 44,000 m² by spring 2026. This phase will introduce a shopping center with 60 units, including restaurants and various services like a medical center and gym. The overall investment exceeds 100 million euros.

Check out the photos of Galeries Lafayette Lyon Bron

Galeries Lafayette in Lyon Bron reopens after major renovation

What: El Palacio de Hierro achieved a 9.4% increase in revenues, reaching USD 1.9 billion in the first nine months of 2024.

Why it is important: The strong performance demonstrates El Palacio de Hierro's resilience and growth potential, driven by factors such as its expanding store network, thriving online sales, and strategic brand partnerships.

In the first nine months of 2024, El Palacio de Hierro, a leading Mexican department store group, continued its upward trajectory with a 9.4% increase in revenues, reaching USD 1.9 billion. The company's operating cash flow (EBITDA) also saw a significant 17% rise during this period, amounting to USD 273 million, while net profit grew by 17% to USD 93 million.

The group's success can be attributed to several factors, including the recent opening of its fifteenth store in León, which involved an investment of USD 145 million. Additionally, El Palacio de Hierro's digital sales have been a key driver of growth, registering an impressive 34% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

As an exclusive distributor for renowned brands such as Burberry, CH Carolina Herrera, Tiffany, and Christian Dior, and a strategic partner of luxury groups like LVMH, Kering, and Richemont, El Palacio de Hierro has further strengthened its position in the market. The company has also expanded its offerings by adding more Spanish brands to its portfolio, such as Ecoalf, Cóndor, and Adolfo Domínguez, while facilitating the entry of Silbon into the Mexican market through its stores.

El Palacio de Hierro continues to grow in the first nine months of 2024

What: The Mall is collaborating with the government sector to jointly drive the country's economy, by helping to alleviate the burden of expenses and reduce the cost of living for the people, in response to the Prime Minister's Economic Recovery Project policy.

Why it is important: The Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra recently launched her administration's economic recovery programme aimed at stimulating the Thai economy.

This policy round focuses on small businesses, which represent 90% of all businesses and form the backbone of the Thai economy. The programme is designed to reduce costs, increase income, and expand opportunities over five months. The Mall responded to the policy by announcing a reduction in the price of consumer goods until January 2025. The Mall also has a main policy for overall business management that supports the business operations of SME and small business owners to have a place to sell their products.

The Mall to reduce prices on consumer goods as part of Thailand's Economic Recovery Project

PM formally launches economic recovery programme

What: The British accessories brand has staged another pop-up at the luxury department store's Haussmann address following the success of the Champs-Élysées pop-up earlier this year.

Why it is important: With its presence in 18 Galeries Lafayette stores, France has become Kurt Geiger's fastest-growing market in Europe.

The pop-up captures Kurt Geiger's unique design aesthetic that is fun, colourful and instantly recognisable. It displays the brand's campaign with Emily Ratajowski across the storefront and flags that replicate their diamond stained glass window print. Kurt Geiger cites its 'affordable luxury' handbag collection, their largest product category in all markets, for its success. Selective about its distribution and stores, Kurt Geiger's continued collaboration with Galeries Lafayette showcases their significance for the independent brand.

Kurt Geiger opens pop-up at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

What: Bloomingdale's launches its annual Pink Campaign alongside the new Aqua x Kerri Rosenthal collection.

Why it is important: This launch not only supports breast cancer awareness and research but also introduces a unique fashion collaboration, enhancing Bloomingdale's product offerings and consumer engagement.

Bloomingdale's has initiated its annual Pink Campaign, which aligns with the Aqua x Kerri Rosenthal collection launch. This campaign is part of Bloomingdale's ongoing commitment to breast cancer awareness and research, with proceeds supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The collaboration with Kerri Rosenthal brings a fresh fashion line that features unique designs and styles, aiming to attract a diverse customer base. This initiative showcases Bloomingdale's dedication to social causes while simultaneously expanding its fashion portfolio, offering customers exclusive products that support a meaningful cause.

Bloomingdale's annual Pink Campaign and new collection launch

What:El Palacio de Hierro has unveiled its 15th store in León, Guanajuato, marking a significant addition to the city's retail scene.

Why it is important:The opening of this luxury store not only boosts León's economy by creating jobs but also enriches the cultural landscape by integrating local heritage into its design and offerings.

El Palacio de Hierro has opened its latest store in León, Guanajuato, after a substantial investment of nearly MXN 3,000 million pesos and over 600 days of construction. Located in Plaza Mayor, the store covers more than 30,000 square meters across three levels and stands out for its stunning interior design inspired by Guanajuato's rich mining history and cultural heritage. The central atrium resembles a mine shaft, while other areas reflect iconic local landscapes and historical figures. The store offers a dazzling array of 263 brands, including luxury names like Dior, Carolina Herrera, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace. Beyond high-end products, it provides exclusive services such as a Thai-inspired spa, barber shop, children's hair salon, and gourmet dining options like a cheese bar. Unique features include the "La Suite" VIP space and a replica of the famous Callejón del Beso (Kisses Alley).This new addition has had a positive economic impact on León, generating 600 direct jobs and 1,800 indirect jobs, along with 1,200 construction jobs. The grand opening was celebrated with a vibrant event attended by local dignitaries, celebrities, and business leaders, featuring cultural performances and traditional elements. Looking ahead, El Palacio de Hierro plans to expand further in Mexico with potential new locations in Mérida and San  Potosí while renovating existing stores to embrace a modern concept.

An iron palace the size of León, Maxwell

This is the impressive Palacio de Hierro in León, Merca 2.0

What: Boyner hosted the second annual Dynamic Fest, attracting over 8,000 attendees with sports activities, inspiring speeches, and engaging workshops.

Why it is important: The festival highlights Boyner's commitment to promoting an active lifestyle and community engagement, offering diverse experiences that inspire participants through sports and entertainment.

Boyner Dynamic Fest took place at Bonus Parkorman on September 28-29, drawing more than 8,000 participants. The event featured high-energy sports activities, motivational talks by athletes like Aysu Türkoğlu and Seren Ay Çetin, dance performances, creative workshops, and competitive tournaments. The festival aimed to raise awareness about sports and healthy living, providing a weekend filled with diverse activities for attendees.

Inspiring stories were shared by athletes such as Türkoğlu, known for her Oceans Seven achievements, and Çetin, the first Turkish female WBC Silver World Champion. Competitive tournaments in basketball and volleyball offered participants the chance to win surprise prizes. Additionally, the festival supported animal adoption through the Her Eve Bir Pati Association (HEPAD), with several pets finding new homes.

Boyner CEO Eren Çamurdan emphasized the festival's role in fostering new experiences and dynamism. Supported by brands like adidas, ASICS, and Levi's, the event successfully brought together people of all ages to celebrate movement and a good life.

Check out the photos of the Boyner dynamic fest '24

Boyner Dynamic Fest, Press release

What: Bloomingdale's launched the "From Italy, With Love" campaign, a two-month retail event celebrating Italian fashion, design, cuisine, and culture.

Why it is important: This campaign exemplifies how strategic alignment between marketing and merchandising can create an immersive customer experience, potentially setting a new standard for retail activations.

Bloomingdale's "From Italy, With Love" campaign is a comprehensive retail event that immerses customers in the essence of Italian culture through a meticulously curated selection of fashion, design, and culinary experiences. Launched in conjunction with New York Fashion Week, the campaign features over 300 exclusive products from more than 150 partners, including iconic brands like Valentino, Ferragamo, and Missoni. The initiative spans both in-store and online platforms, offering customers a seamless experience that bridges digital and physical retail spaces.

The campaign's in-store experience at Bloomingdale's 59th Street flagship in New York City is particularly noteworthy. Shoppers are greeted with Italian-themed visual merchandising that transforms the store into a vibrant market reminiscent of Italy. The Mercato pop-up offers gourmet Italian products, while installations throughout the store feature travel posters, Roman columns, and whimsical decor that enhance the thematic experience. Notable collaborations include Rag & Bone partnering with Lucali pizza and Moon Boot offering gelato weekends.

This initiative highlights the importance of integrating marketing and merchandising strategies to create a cohesive brand narrative. By involving brands in the merchandising process and offering exclusive collaborations, Bloomingdale's not only enhances customer engagement but also strengthens brand partnerships. As retailers navigate an increasingly competitive landscape, Bloomingdale's approach serves as a model for how to effectively align corporate strategy with in-store execution to deliver an unparalleled shopping experience.

Bloomingdale's Italian adventure: A retail love affair

What: El Corte Inglés has announced a new structure at the top and the departure of Jose Maria Folache.

Why it is important: This development underscores the ongoing evolution of El Corte Inglés's management structure, as the company balances retail expertise with new strategic initiatives.

El Corte Inglés has dismissed José María Folache, its Retail Director and one of two general directors, due to strategic disagreements with newly appointed CEO Gastón Bottazzini. The decision, communicated directly by Bottazzini, comes as the company prepares to present a new strategic plan by year-end. Folache, who joined in 2022 following the departure of former CEO Víctor del Pozo, brought extensive retail experience from leadership roles at Carrefour España, Tous, Parfois, and Suárez. This marks his second departure from El Corte Inglés, having previously left in 2012 after serving as deputy purchasing director. The company's retail division, which Folache overseen, generated EUR 12.845 billion in revenue last year, representing a 3.8% increase from the previous period. Bottazzini, who reports to the executive committee chaired by Marta Álvarez, plans to restructure the organisation with multiple general directorships reporting directly to him.

IADS Notes: As reported in October 2024, El Corte Inglés partnered with McKinsey to develop a new strategic plan, signaling a significant shift in its approach to retail transformation. This followed the appointment of Gastón Bottazzini as CEO in July 2024, bringing valuable experience from Falabella and McKinsey. The company's strong performance, with a 5.4% increase in total transaction value and record-breaking recurring net income in June 2024, suggests that this leadership change aligns with its broader strategy to maintain growth momentum. The dismissal of Folache reflects the company's commitment to its new strategic direction, as it prepares for the next phase of growth through 2030, emphasising traditional retail with increased digitalisation.

El Corte Inglés reorganises its top management structure

What: El Corte Inglés is once again the official sponsor of the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana 2024, a legendary famous race held on December 31.

Why it is important: This sponsorship highlights El Corte Inglés' commitment to promoting sports and community events, particularly running, a significant part of the company's sports initiatives.

El Corte Inglés has reaffirmed its support for the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana 2024, marking the 60th edition of this iconic race. The event, held every December 31, is one of Spain's most popular and enduring competitions, celebrating the last day of the year. El Corte Inglés, through its sports brand Boomerang, has designed and produced the official T-shirts for the race, made from 100% recycled materials. Participants in the Popular, International, and Mini categories will wear these T-shirts.

The race features a 10-kilometer urban course, with the final 150 meters run on the grass of the Vallecas Stadium. The International category is reserved for elite athletes, with a maximum of 2,000 places for runners who can complete the 10K in under 39 minutes for men or 45 minutes for women. The event also includes a charity component, with a mini race for children, where all registration fees will be donated to projects to prevent childhood obesity through the Gasol Foundation.

El Corte Inglés will provide extensive support for the event, including unique pop-ups in its stores, 360-degree communication campaigns across its digital and physical platforms, and the supply of refreshment kits for all participants. The company's involvement reflects its strong commitment to sports and community engagement, supporting over a hundred running events annually.

El Corte Inglés sponsors 60th San Silvestre Vallecana race

What: El Palacio de Hierro is opening a new flagship store in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, on October 4, with a space of over 35,000 square meters.

Why it is important: This expansion underscores El Palacio de Hierro's growth strategy and its commitment to enhancing its presence in Mexico by offering a wide range of luxury and local brands, contributing to the local economy and retail landscape.

El Palacio de Hierro is set to open a new flagship store in León, Guanajuato. Scheduled for October 4, this expansive store spans over 35,000 square meters across three levels and will feature more than 200 brands, including high-end names like Montblanc, Versace, Burberry, and Carolina Herrera. The store's design draws inspiration from León's colonial architecture, incorporating elements such as mining motifs and cobblestone alleys. This opening is part of El Palacio de Hierro's broader strategy to expand its luxury offerings and integrate local leather-specialty brands.

The company has shown robust financial performance, with a net profit increase of 23% to USD 71 million in the first half of the year and a turnover of USD 1.37 billion, up 9.2% year-on-year. The growth is largely attributed to the strong performance of its online sales channel. Additionally, El Palacio de Hierro has expanded its brand portfolio by adding Spanish brands like Ecoalf and Adolfo Domínguez. The retailer serves as an exclusive distributor for prestigious brands such as Burberry and Tiffany and partners with major luxury groups like LVMH and Kering.

El Palacio de Hierro opens new flagship store in Guanajuato

What: Sfera, El Corte Inglés' fashion brand, maintains its position as the group's most internationally present brand in 2023.

Why it is important: The growth of Sfera highlights El Corte Inglés' strategy to diversify and internationalize its business model.

Sfera, El Corte Inglés' fashion and accessories brand, maintained its position as the group's most internationally present brand in 2023, operating in 17 countries. The brand closed the year with 524 points of sale, an increase of 34 from 2022, comprising 166 own stores, 287 franchises, and 71 corners (69 in Spain and 2 in Portugal).

Mexico leads in company-owned stores with nearly 60 establishments, while franchise operations are strong in Switzerland (53 points of sale), Thailand (43), and Ireland (22). In Latin America, Sfera has a significant presence with franchises in Chile (62), Peru (45), El Salvador (13), and Guatemala (10), among others. The brand also operates in Middle Eastern countries like the UAE and Qatar.

El Corte Inglés continues to focus on internationalizing its private brands, now present in over 30 countries through strategic partnerships. The company is strengthening its international positioning by incorporating more references and new categories in the home area, adding to its existing fashion and food offerings.

El Corte Ingles' private label Sfera is the group's most international brand

What: Galeries Lafayette is inviting numerous brands to celebrate its 130th anniversary.

Why it is important: This celebration marks a significant milestone for Galeries Lafayette, highlighting its long-standing influence in the retail industry and its ability to foster strong partnerships with various brands.

Galeries Lafayette is commemorating its 130th anniversary by hosting a grand celebration that includes collaborations with many renowned brands. This event not only celebrates the department store's rich history and heritage but also emphasizes its enduring presence and impact in the fashion and retail sectors. By inviting numerous brands to participate, Galeries Lafayette showcases its role as a pivotal player in the industry, reinforcing its reputation as a leading retail destination.

Celebrating 130 years: Galeries Lafayette's anniversary event

What: Sepiia is entering El Corte Inglés stores in Iberia to increase its market presence and brand recognition.

Why it is important: This strategic move allows Sepiia to enhance its distribution network and visibility in the Iberian market, potentially boosting sales and brand awareness in a competitive retail environment.

Sepiia, a company known for its functional and sustainable clothing, is set to expand its market reach by entering El Corte Inglés stores across Iberia. This partnership aims to increase the brand's capillarity and notoriety, providing Sepiia greater access to a wider customer base. By leveraging El Corte Inglés' established retail platform, Sepiia seeks to strengthen its position in the market and enhance its brand visibility.

Expanding reach: Sepiia enters El Corte Inglés in Iberia