In the 73th episode of the Nordy Pod, Pete Nordstrom tackled the important question of ‘What does it take to create a shopping experience that captivates customers around the globe?’. To get an answer, he interviewed two experienced department store leaders: Patrice Wagner, CEO of Le Bon Marché in Paris, and André Maeder, Chairman and CEO of the Selfridges Group in London. They express true appreciation for front-line employees, and inherent joy in the process of improving the customer experience. They each rose through the ranks at some of the most prestigious department stores in the world, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and expertise suitable now to uphold the legacies of the aforementioned Le Bon Marché in Paris and Selfridges in London.
Each of these stores, in its own way, continuously garners worldwide attention and respect through unique customer engagement that goes far beyond just shopping for clothes. From incredible food offerings to fine art exhibitions and theatre performances, to indoor skateparks and celebrity appearances, Patrice and André take big swings and try new things to surprise and delight customers with distinct one-of-a-kind environments. Together they’ll share insights into the key focal points of running their businesses, the challenges they face, and an inspiring vision for the future of department stores.
Please click here to listen to this episode!