What: Jean-Marc Bellaiche steps down as president of Le Printemps after leading a significant transformation, including international expansion and a new flagship in New York.

Why it is important: Bellaiche’s departure marks the end of a transformative era for Le Printemps, highlighting the impact of leadership on department store reinvention and global strategy.

Jean-Marc Bellaiche’s resignation as president of Le Printemps signals the close of a pivotal chapter for the French department store group. Since 2020, Bellaiche has overseen a sweeping transformation, introducing a new visual identity, streamlining operations, and guiding the group through the challenges of the post-pandemic period. His tenure was marked by bold decisions, such as closing underperforming branches and reorganising the executive team, with a focus on diversity and corporate social responsibility. Bellaiche’s vision extended internationally, culminating in the opening of a flagship store in New York and a renewed focus on experiential retail and digital growth. These efforts not only repositioned Printemps as a modern, customer-centric brand but also returned the group to profitability, despite ongoing financial pressures from pandemic-era liabilities. As Bellaiche steps down, the executive committee will lead the group while the search for a new president begins, ensuring continuity as Printemps builds on the foundation of innovation and global ambition established during his leadership.

IADS Notes:

Jean-Marc Bellaiche’s departure follows a period of accelerated transformation for Le Printemps, highlighted by the launch of the New York flagship and a strategic pivot toward experiential retail and customer engagement (March 2025). The group’s strengthened executive team was instrumental in sustaining this momentum and supporting its international ambitions (April 2025). The Wall Street store’s innovative, hospitality-driven model has set a new standard for department store reinvention, prioritizing experience over traditional sales metrics (June 2025). Printemps’ blend of heritage and modern retail innovation positions it as a leader in experiential retail, offering a compelling blueprint for the future of the sector (July 2025).

Le Printemps President Jean-Marc Bellaiche steps down