IGDS was founded in June 1946 in Lugano, Switzerland, by eight European department stores. The organisation’s main purpose was originally to share expertise and combine purchasing power.

From the beginning, Presidents, CEOs, Members of the Executive Board and Managing Directors have been the driving forces behind the group. Their willingness to cooperate, share innovative ideas and new concepts, and learn from other geographical areas has been vital to IGDS and its members’ successful development.

The deliberate choice of opening the membership exclusively to department stores and limiting access to preferably only one member per country also played a key role in creating a unique platform for open discussions.

Since its creation, IGDS has been the largest department store‘s association in the world, comprising one of the most unique and vibrant retail networks in the industry, with 44 members from 38 countries and total sales of over US$430 billion.

Largest Department Store Association in the World

Today, IGDS’s membership provides unique insights into how other retail groups are structured and operate worldwide. It offers exciting opportunities – especially at C-level and senior executive levels – to gain exposure to some of the most important players in department store retailing in a truly cross-cultural context.