IADS Retail Park
26 episodes Last Updated: May 16, 25
🦖 Welcome to IADS Retail Park—where retail giants evolve or go extinct.
In today's age of rapid transformation, department stores and retail leaders face a clear choice: adapt or disappear. IADS Retail Park delivers exclusive insights and bold strategies on how the world’s biggest retailers reinvent themselves through technology, sustainability, and omnichannel innovation.
🚀 Department stores aren’t fossils yet—far from it. While they’ve long been seen as dinosaurs, the reality is they’re evolving faster than ever. This podcast dives deep into bold strategies, digital innovation, and retail transformation, providing decision-makers with actionable insights to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.
🎧 With short, high-impact episodes, IADS Retail Park is designed for C-suite executives, retail strategists, and visual merchandising professionals—delivering sharp, strategic takeaways without the fluff.
💡 Survival isn’t guaranteed—evolution is. Join us as we explore the future of retail.
🔗 Don’t forget to follow the International Association of Department Stores - IADS on LinkedIn for updates, insights, and success stories from the world’s leading department stores. iads.substack.com
Episodes
In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎙️, Maya and Dr. Christopher Knee, honorary advisor to IADS, reveal the two secret advantages department stores hold over even the mightiest online retailers: deep product knowledge and the power of physical stores. Discover why Amazon’s cutting-edge algorithms can’t match the genuine recommendations of a trustworthy merchant and how the unique in-store experience, from knowledgeable staff to omnichannel pickup, creates a winning edge in today’s evolving market. Learn how pioneers like Waterstones and legacy giants like Sears thrived by blending expertise with presence, and why the future belongs to department stores that adapt their human and spatial assets to digital-era shoppers.For more insights, visit our Substack, explore our website, and learn more on Wikipedia.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 additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of The IADS Retail Park 🎙️, Maya and Christine Montard (Head of Markets and Events, IADS) explore the seismic shifts transforming retail employment. They reveal findings from IADS’s 2021 research, showing why stores face unprecedented staff shortages and why traditional retail roles are evolving into new hybrid positions like “mini-marketers.” 🛍️💻 Hear real-world stories from Target, Neiman Marcus, Apple, and El Corte Inglés as we discuss innovative pay, flexible work, creative perks, and how to engage Millennials and Gen Z. From wellness benefits to meaningful company culture, discover what it takes to make retail a rewarding career again. ✨ Whether you’re in HR, operations, or leadership, tune in for actionable tips and a glimpse at retail’s future of work! 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 additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe
May 14, 2025
La Rinascente Milan gets ready for a change
In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎙️, we unpack the remarkable transformation of La Rinascente Milan from this week’s IADS Exclusive. Join Maya and Selvanne as they explore the iconic department store's ambitious €40M evolution, from its historic legacy to its bold future plans. Discover how this retail pioneer is reimagining luxury retail with Europe's largest beauty destination, innovative store design, and strategic brand positioning 🏪. From the unique Design Supermarket to the acquisition of the historic Odeon cinema, we examine the strategic decisions shaping this €1bn success story. Want to dive deeper? 🌟 Read our exclusive article and view store photos here → IADS Exclusive: La Rinascente Milan gets ready for a change 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 additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe
May 13, 2025
Decoding Gen Z
In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎙️, we decode the complex world of Gen Z retail behaviour. Join Maya and Anchita as they explore how this generation is reshaping traditional retail concepts, from their distinctive shopping habits to their impact on brand authenticity and sustainability 🌱. Discover why experiential retail matters more than ever, how social commerce is changing the game, and why Gen Z's 'quick to judge, slow to trust' mentality is forcing retailers to rethink their strategies. From TikTok's influence on purchase decisions to the rise of second-hand luxury, we examine the trends that are defining retail's next chapter. 🌟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 additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe
Ready for retail's most ambitious comeback story? In this episode of The I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎙️, we dive into the remarkable transformation of La Samaritaine through our exclusive 2021 analysis 📊. Join hosts Maya and Christine as they explore LVMH's ambitious 16-year journey to reinvent this Parisian retail icon, from its initial strategy targeting Asian tourists to its recent strategic pivot under Le Bon Marché 🏪. Discover how this landmark project navigates the delicate balance between heritage and innovation 🔍, featuring Europe's largest beauty department and unique luxury experiences. From regulatory challenges to COVID-19 adaptation, we examine the strategic decisions shaping this €750M renaissance.Want to dive deeper? Find our full exclusive report on La Samaritaine here.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 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 🎙️, we unpack the complex world of retail sustainability certifications based on our exclusive 2021 research 📊. Join hosts Maya and Anchita as they explore why the multiplication of eco-labels might be doing more harm than good, and how leading brands like Patagonia and Asket are choosing transparency over certification overload 🌱. Discover how retailers are navigating the challenge of genuine sustainability versus greenwashing 🔍, and why sharing both successes and struggles might be the key to building consumer trust. From Zalando's assessment initiatives to Patagonia's revolutionary "Don't Buy This Jacket" campaign, we examine the strategies that are shaping retail's approach to environmental responsibility. 🌍 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 additional resources, and learn more here!*option 2 - detailed supply chain transparency that it… Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of I.A.D.S. Retail Park 🎙️, we explore Metro's fascinating evolution in Southeast Asia's largest retail market 🌏. From its humble beginnings in Surabaya to its ambitious expansion plans, discover how this retail giant is reshaping Indonesia's retail landscape 🚀. Join Maya and Selvane Mohandas du Ménil as they share exclusive insights from IADS' recent market visit to Jakarta 🏪.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 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 Christine, Director of Markets & Events at IADS, explore how sustainability is disrupting and redefining department stores worldwide🌍. Drawing on exclusive insights from the IADS White Paper "Reinventing department stores through sustainability" (Jan 2023), they discuss why sustainability is now a business imperative—costing retailers up to €615 billion by 2030—and how leading stores like El Corte Inglés, Green Pea, and Galeries Lafayette are tackling everything from Scope 3 emissions to radical transparency. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is real urgency and opportunity for those who are ready to act. This episode offers practical takeaways for retail leaders and anyone passionate about the future of commerce. For a deeper dive, read the full IADS White Paper here. Stay connected with IADS on LinkedIn, Substack, or visit www.iads.org for more insights and resources! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of the IADS Retail Park 🎙️, we explore ECOALF's revolutionary approach to sustainable fashion retail 🌱. From ocean waste to desirable fashion 🌊, discover how founder Javier Goyeneche is proving that true sustainability can be profitable. Join Maya and Selvane Mohandas du Ménil, Managing Director of IADS, as they share exclusive insights from IADS' early 2025 CEO gathering 📊, revealing how radical sustainability is reshaping the future of retail. 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 additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 19, 2025
Beauty, equity, and the 90/10 rule: Thirteen Lune’s mission to redefine inclusive retail
In this episode of The IADS Retail Park 🎙️, we dive into the future of inclusive beauty retail with the story of Thirteen Lune ✨—a marketplace redefining representation and innovation in the industry. Discover how founders Nyakio Grieco and Patrick Herning are challenging traditional retail models with their pioneering 90/10 brand rule 🔢, launching the Relevant: Your Skin Seen collection 🌱, and forging powerful partnerships like their in-store collaboration with JCPenney 🛍️. Explore the opportunities, challenges, and global ambitions behind Thirteen Lune’s approach—and learn what it means for the next wave of retail strategy and consumer connection 🌍. 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 additional resources, and learn more here! Get full access to IADS’ Exclusive Insights at iads.substack.com/subscribe