IGDS connects, informs and supports leading department stores worldwide. We are the world's largest department store association.
Celebrating 80 Years of Connecting Retail World Leaders
When IGDS was founded in 1946, the world looked very different. Today, the spirit of collaboration, trust, curiosity, and friendship that this association was founded on, remains our greatest strength as we look toward the future together. That spirit has carried this organisation through eight decades. Through generations of leaders. Through enormous and sometimes disorienting change. And through many moments when department stores were declared a little too hastily, as it turned out - a thing of the past.
Yet, here we are. And together, we will continue to shape the future of this industry.
17th World Department Store Summit 2026 in Mexico City
The latest IGDS WDSS was conducted on 19th-20th May 2026 in Mexico City. Co-organised by IGDS & Liverpool, the Summit will gave 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.
News
From IGDS Members
- Liverpool
Liverpool Nail Salons and Financial Products
Mexico’s biggest department store company is counteracting sluggish consumer spending by expanding its financial products and real estate...
- Selfridges
Selfridges The Imagination Café
Selfridges opens an Imagination Café at the center of its London store, with afternoon tea menu by Malik Acid and immersive art...
- KaDeWe GmbH (Alsterhaus, KaDeWe, Oberpollinger)
KaDeWe Roll up, Roll up! Jellyfest
Jellycat®, the globally celebrated collectible brand known for its imaginative characters and joyful storytelling, today opens the doors...
From the Industry
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The Luxury Chinese Shopper Looks Different
Although it tripled in size in the five years to 2021, the sector shrank a year later as a result of the sweeping lockdowns that brought...
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Central Retail’s in Q2
Central Retail Corporation (CRC) has posted a 124% YoY jump in Q2 core profit, driven by store expansion, stronger margins and higher...
Our Global Events
The IGDS World Department Store Summit provides a unique platform for department stores CEOs, senior executives and major stakeholders to meet and exchange ideas.
The 18th World Department Store Summit (IGDS WDSS) will take place on 17-18 June 2027 in Madrid, Spain, organised by WOW Concept and IGDS.
