IADS Retail Park

For over a century, merchants built retail empires through margin discipline, inventory velocity, and vendor relationships. Today, those skills no longer guarantee relevance. In this episode 🎙️, Maya speaks with Christine Montard explore groundbreaking research from the 2025 IADS Academy cohort on how merchants balance intuition with data-driven decisions—and why the future belongs to those who master integration, not choice.👉 Click here to read the full 2025 Academy Exclusive!For more updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Maya and Christine unpack the seismic shift in luxury retail—where sales staff evolved into brand ambassadors, relationship architects, and cultural translators. 🏬✨ What do Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Kering have in common? They bet big on people, not just platforms. From clienteling apps boosting sales by 20% to recruiting from hospitality and finance, brands rewrote the playbook. 🎯 But with 36% of shoppers saying in-store experiences worsened, the stakes remain high. 👉 Click here to unlock Christine's full Exclusive!For more updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

Twenty-seven years after its final flight, Hong Kong's Kai Tak airport is preparing for a different kind of landing—one that challenges every assumption about what makes retail destinations work. In this episode 🎙️, Maya speaks with Christine Montard, Director of Markets and Events at IADS, about her firsthand visit to Kai Tak during the 2025 IADS General Assembly in Hong Kong. Christine breaks down the HK$100 billion transformation across three major developments—Kai Tak Mall's "sportainment" model, Airside's sustainability-driven "culturetainment," and IADS member Lifestyle International's The Twins dual-tower complex 🏢. 👉 Click here to learn more in the full Kai Tak Exclusive! For more updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

Maya and Selvane unpack the radical transformation at Åhléns under new owner Ayad al-Saffar. 🏬 What do Inglot, private label kitchen tools, and a 47-store network have in common? They're all weapons in a war against intermediaries. ✂️ By slashing third-party distributors and pivoting to 90% wholesale, Al-Saffar is turning Sweden's second-highest retail density into a competitive advantage—and planning more store openings. 🚀 Could this spark a Nordic-wide supply chain revolution? 👉 Click here to unlock Selvane's full Exclusive! For more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for the full White Paper, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we unpack the 2026 NRF Big Show—the largest yet, with 41,000 attendees and a provocative tension: when tech companies dominate retail’s flagship event, who truly owns the future? From REI’s “selective openness” and FairPrice’s 17% basket lift through AI, to the stark divide between Amazon’s fortress and Walmart’s federation strategies—discover what retailers must own to remain destinations, not just data sources🛡️. Plus: Why semantic capital is the new competitive moat, why your website’s intelligence is existential, and how Bloomingdale’s and Printemps are proving physical retail’s renaissance is real 🏬.📖 Full report available at IADS Exclusive Insights (👉Click here) Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of IADS Retail Park 🎧, Maya sits down with Christine, Director of Markets and Events at IADS and author of this week’s exclusive investigation into what’s being called “The SHEIN Paradox.” When SHEIN opened its first permanent European store at Paris’s historic BHV Marais in November 2025, 7,000 visitors showed up on day one. Within weeks, the floors were empty, online sales had plummeted 54%, and over 100 French brands had filed legal action. What went wrong? Tune in to discover why some retail models can’t absorb others—and how to avoid a collision that costs millions.👉 [To read Christine’s complete exclusive and check out the store photos here: The SHEIN Paradox: When Digital Ultra-Fast Fashion Meets Physical Reality]Keep your finger on the pulse 📊 of retail transformation by connecting with the International Association of Department Stores – IADS on LinkedIn, joining our Substack community, and exploring www.iads.org for strategic resources. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this Season 2 premiere 🎙️, Maya sits down with Selvane, Managing Director of IADS, to discuss her year-long investigation into diversity, equity, and inclusion at retail's most critical turning point 📊. Through research across six global regions with leaders from Nordstrom, Tesco, Falabella, and Galeries Lafayette, IADS' 2025 White Paper reveals four key patterns that separate authentic DEI strategies from performative gestures. As political pressures mounted and executive orders shifted corporate commitments, some retailers doubled down while others quietly retreated . In this revealing conversation, Selvane asks Maya the questions that uncover the evidence-based insights behind retail's most complex challenge. 👉Click here to read the IADS Exclusive on Maya’s White Paper🔎Access the full IADS White Paper hereYou can find all our White Papers here: https://payhip.com/IADSTo read the press release on our annual White Paper, click here! (link)For more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for the full White Paper, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of IADS. Retail Park 🎧, Maya sits down with Christine, author of this week’s IADS Exclusive on Macy’s transformation. From pioneering retail innovations in 1858 to closing 150 stores while investing in 350 upgraded locations, Macy’s story raises a fundamental question facing department stores globally: can concentration replace expansion as a path to growth? Christine breaks down the “First 50” results, the My Macy’s localisation experiment, why the mid‑tier is getting squeezed, and whether strategic precision can outperform broad coverage. If you’re navigating fleet optimisation, format innovation, or the future of department stores, this conversation offers critical insights you can’t afford to miss. Want to dive into the data and analysis behind this episode?👉Click here to access Christine’s full IADS Exclusive on Macy’s. Stay plugged🔌into the latest thinking by following the International Association of Department Stores – IADS on LinkedIn, subscribing to our Substack, and visiting www.iads.org for more in‑depth resources. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Christopher pull back the curtain on Google’s Project X—Back in 2023 the moonshot factory tackling humanity’s biggest challenges. ✨ What do Waymo, Tidal, and Intrinsic have in common? They aim for 10X impact, not 10% improvement. 🚀 From embracing failure as “moonshot compost” to spending 20% of time on creative pursuits, our hosts unpack six counterintuitive principles reshaping innovation. Want all the case studies and expert insight? 👉 Click here to unlock full Exclusive for deeper dives and real-world examples! 🔗 For updates and more can’t-miss content, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores, explore our Substack, or visit www.iads.org for extra resources and the full article. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of IADS Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Anchita zoom in on a customer group retailers can’t afford to overlook: the silver generation. As birth rates drop 📉, people live longer 🧬, and more spending power sits with Gen X and older, they ask a key question: how do you build experiences for aging customers without leaning on lazy stereotypes? Drawing on examples like Le Bon Marché’s Rock’n’Drôle exhibition 🎸 and Galeries Lafayette’s Sophie Fontanel curation, they explore how pro-ageing beauty, longevity‑focused wellness 💊, and nostalgia‑driven storytelling 📼 can help department stores connect generations, normalise healthy ageing, and place older shoppers at the centre of both culture and commerce. If you’re rethinking who your priority customer will be over the next decade, this episode offers fresh angles and concrete ideas to use in your strategy work. Curious about the numbers, case studies, and full strategic lens behind this topic? 👉 Click here to read Anchita’s IADS Exclusive. To keep up with our latest insights, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – IADS 💼, explore our Substack 📰, and visit www.iads.org 🌐 for more in‑depth resources. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of IADS Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Christine look at what happens when retailers start acting like neighbourhood builders. 🏙️ IKEA, Walmart, Breuninger, and John Lewis are all turning old malls, car parks, and land banks into mixed‑use districts where people live, work, and spend their free time. From IKEA’s Livat “Meeting Places” in Shanghai to Walmart’s mall conversion in Pittsburgh and John Lewis’ 10,000 planned rental homes, the episode explains why mixed‑use is becoming retail’s new survival strategy. If you are rethinking what your flagship or real estate portfolio should look like in 2030, this conversation will give you concrete ideas to take back to your team. Want to dive into the data, business cases, and full framework behind these moves? 👉 Click here to access Christine’s IADS Exclusive. Stay plugged into the latest thinking by following us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – IADS, exploring our Substack, and visiting www.iads.org for more in‑depth resources. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Christine pull back the curtain on digital transformation in heritage organizations. ✨ What separates fast retailers from slow ones in a world where crises strike every twelve months? From rolling budgets and “forcasgility” to double ERP roadmaps and raw data ownership, our hosts unpack the paradigm shifts redefining retail operations. 🛍️📊 Learn why speed now trumps size—and how agile methods borrowed from unicorns can future-proof legacy businesses. Want all the case studies and expert insight? 👉 Click here to unlock the full Exclusive! For updates and more can’t-miss content, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – I.A.D.S., explore our Substack, or visit www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of IADS Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Anchita unpack what happens when department stores face the unthinkable—wars 🎯, currency collapse 💸, and complete economic chaos ⚡. Through exclusive IADS research with retailers at the epicentre of global crises, they reveal the raw playbook: why cash is king, how people come first, and the critical difference between iterative🔄 and protocol-driven crisis management 🚨.From retailers paying employees for three years while they serve in national defence 👥, to installing solar panels and mapping citywide power grids ⚡, to transforming into financial entities temporarily just to survive 💰—this isn’t theory. These are survival tactics from those who’ve lived it. Discover how strategic teams navigated hyperinflation, supply chain collapse 🚛, infrastructure failure, and government restrictions while keeping their doors open. If you think your contingency plan is solid, this episode will make you think twice 🌟.👉 Click here to read the full IADS Exclusive on crisis managementFor more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Anchita pull back the curtain on relational shopping’s business impact. ✨ What do Magasin du Nord and Lane Crawford have in common? They’ve turned customer data into loyalty engines. 🛍️ From booking personal shoppers to WeChat mini-programs that 6x sales, our hosts unpack how retailers bridge online and offline—and why Western stores must prepare for Chinese travelers’ sky-high expectations. 🌏 Want all the case studies and expert insight? 👉 Click here to unlock Anchita’s full Exclusive for deeper dives and real-world examples! For updates and more can’t-miss content, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – I.A.D.S., explore our Substack, or visit www.iads.org. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Christopher explore Green Pea, the world’s first green retail park in Turin. 🌱 What do Patagonia, Brunello Cuccinelli, and a building you can disassemble with a screwdriver have in common? They’re all part of a manifesto-driven retail experiment. From energy-capturing floors to 20 million annual visitors, our hosts unpack how sustainability can be a business model—not just a marketing claim. 🛍️ Want the full breakdown of Green Pea’s strategy and lessons for legacy retailers? 👉 Click here to read the full exclusive on challenging the retail business model with the CEO of Green Pea! 👉 If you haven’t caught our first episode on Green Pea as a business case, click here. 👉 For further reading, check out our free IADS white paper on reinventing department stores through sustainability!For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – I.A.D.S., explore our Substack, or visit www.iads.org. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of IADS Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Christine dissect the bold new era where brands don’t stop at products—they shape full lifestyles. Why are icons like Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, and Selfridges diving into beauty lines, homeware, sports, and even film? 🏆💄🏠 From LV’s jump into Formula 1 and cosmetics to Zara’s thriving home business and Selfridges’ quirky post-Covid garden centres, our hosts trace how “brand territory” has become the hottest strategy in retail.Listen in for real stories, from blockbusters like Zara Home’s €830M success to curveballs like Birkenstock’s skincare flop, and get straight answers about what works, what fizzles, and where department stores fit in.Ready for the whole playbook and deeper case studies? 👉 Click here to get Christine’s Exclusive deep dive 🕵️‍♀️For more insights and can’t-miss retail updates, follow us on🔗 LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – IADS, check out our Substack, or visit www.iads.org for bonus resources and the full article. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Christine explore Benedict Evans’ provocative take on retail transformation. What do Netflix, Shopify, and Shein have in common? ✨ They’ve all used tech not to upgrade existing models, but to unbundle and rebuild entire value chains. From L’Oréal’s 25% direct-to-consumer shift to Amazon’s $31 billion ad business, our hosts unpack how every retail function—manufacturing, distribution, advertising, wholesale—is being deconstructed and reassembled. 🛍️ Learn why the question isn’t if your business will be unbundled, but when—and whether you’ll control the rebundle.👉 Check out the full Exclusive for more expert insights.🔗For updates and more can’t-miss content, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – I.A.D.S., explore our Substack, or visit www.iads.org for extra resources and the full article. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of IADS Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Christine pull back the velvet rope on retail’s most surprising reinvention: hospitality. ✨ What do Louis Vuitton, IKEA, and Selfridges have in common? They’ve all realised that in 2025, the real competition isn’t just about who sells the most shoes—it’s about who can make you linger, dine, post, and stay.🍽️🛋️ From Armani’s first foray into branded hotels to Harrods’ TikTok-fueled restaurant frenzy and IKEA’s game-changing meatballs, our hosts unravel the three-decade evolution that turned cafés and Michelin stars into serious business. Learn why loyalty schemes and data-driven dining redefine the department store experience, and what separates hype from lasting business impact.Want all the case studies and expert insight? 👉 Click here to unlock Christine’s full Exclusive for deeper dives and real-world examples! 🕵️‍♀️🔗 For updates and more can’t-miss content, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – I.A.D.S., explore our Substack, or visit www.iads.org for extra resources and the full article. Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎧, Maya and Selvane dissect the I.A.D.S. 100 report, revealing how department stores worldwide weathered the unprecedented 2019-2021 period. 📊 From BHG’s stunning 62% growth in China to Japan’s tourism-dependent stores losing two-thirds of their sales, this deep dive uncovers the strategies that separated survivors from strugglers. 🌍Why did stores with food sections bounce back faster? How did supply chain disruptions reshape consumer expectations? And what made some retailers completely reinvent their business models while others clung to pre-pandemic strategies?👉 Click here to read this week’s IADS Exclusive on omnichannel.🖇️Click here to read The Great Reset: How Department Stores Navigated 2019-2021For more updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – I.A.D.S., subscribe to our Substack for weekly signals shaping the future of retail, or explore www.iads.org for fresh resources and game-changing research! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎧, Maya sits down with Selvane to decode the conscious customer revolution that’s reshaping retail from the ground up. 🌱 From the explosion of fast fashion to today’s sustainability-first shoppers, they explore how 50% of consumers now actively seek greener options - and what this means for department stores racing to adapt. 🛍️ How do you balance customer demands, regulatory pressure, and investor expectations while staying profitable? Selvanne reveals surprising insights about customer segments, the coming wave of packaging surcharges, and why going “back to basics” might be retail’s most innovative move. Can traditional retailers actually out-sustain Amazon? What happens when conscious customers start buying less overall?👉 Check out the full exclusive for more expert insights and all the details—link in the episode description!For more updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores – I.A.D.S., subscribe to our Substack for weekly signals shaping the future of retail, or explore www.iads.org for fresh resources and game-changing research! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe