IGDS connects, informs and supports leading department stores worldwide. We are the world's largest department store association.
17th World Department Store Summit 2026 in Mexico City

The coming IGDS WDSS will be conducted on 19th-20th May 2026 in Mexico City. Co-organised by IGDS & Liverpool, the Summit will provide unique insights into recent retail initiatives, business success stories, and key developments in department stores and related industries.
IGDS WDSS is the world's largest and leading discussion platform for department store CEOs, senior executives, stakeholders, and business partners from all continents.
GDI Impact Leadership Programme 2026

Developing the Next C-Suite Leaders
The Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) has the pleasure of launching and announcing the 3rd GDI Impact Leadership Programme (ILP), developed in cooperation with IGDS. The programme, tailored specifically for department store executives, addresses the unique challenges and complexities of the retail industry.
The GDI ILP 2026 is scheduled from 20th to 23rd April 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland. Registrations will open soon.
GDI Impact Leadership Programme
News
From IGDS Members
- Woolworths
Woolworths Expands Beauty Push
Woolworths is expanding its beauty offering to Kenya, building on a strategy that has doubled sales of the category over the past two...
- KaDeWe GmbH (Alsterhaus, KaDeWe, Oberpollinger)
KaDeWe Festival of Lights
This year’s festival of light theme ‘Lets shine together’ celebrates creativity, connection, and collaboration from the 8th – 15th...
- Steen & Strøm
CAIA Cosmetics Opens First Store at Steen & Strøm
The Swedish beauty brand CAIA Cosmetics has officially opened its very first store in Norway, at Steen & Strøm Department Store in Oslo....
From the Industry
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Central Retail Reinforces Sustainable
Central Retail Corporation (CRC) is reinforcing its strategy of ‘Retail and Wholesale for All’, advancing sustainable growth through the...
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Beauty Shopper Behaviors Changing
NielsenIQ data shows that for the first time, online sales have surpassed 50% of the beauty business, growing 18.7% year-over-year...