IGDS Global Events
IGDS initiated two international open-enrollement events: the Global Department Store Summit (GDSS) and the World Department Store Forum (WDSF).
The Global Department Store Summit (GDSS)
GDSS is the world’s only department store-focused discussion platform. It is specifically tailored to CEOs and senior executives of leading department stores, their brands, suppliers and vendors as well as major stakeholders from the service, finance and retail real estate sectors. At GDSS, the latest developments relating to the department stores’ businesses will be addressed and discussed from a macro perspective. In this exclusive circle of industry leaders, department store and retail executives will gain new insights into a variety of subject matters and develop international relationships with industry peers during both the Summit and Official Dinner. The GDSS is held every other year in a different city. The next Summit is scheduled for May 2012 in Paris and due to be held at the iconic Centre Pompidou (event website www.dssummit2012.org).
Past GDSS events:
GDSS 2008 in London
The 1st GDSS was staged in London in May 2008. It was organized in cooperation with Selfridges and the theme of the conference was named ‘Growth Opportunities for Department Stores’. Over 280 leading executives from the global retail industry attended this very successful event and benefited greatly from the dynamic presentations of fourteen highly experienced department stores CEOs. To read more about this Summit, please visit the website www.dssummit2008.org.
GDSS 2010 in New York
The 2nd GDSS saw 317 delegates from 36 countries attending the Summit, including 54 CEOs from department stores from around the world. On this occasion, the event was organized in cooperation with Saks Fifth Avenue. This highly successful Summit carried the theme of ‘Winning in the New Retail Environment’, with fourteen CEO speakers presenting stories of success and strategies of each of their respective companies. Further information about the event can be found on the following website: www.dssummit2010.org.
The World Deparment Store Forum (WDSF)
The WDSF gathers bi-annually top executives from department stores from all over the world and their global suppliers/brands and partners. The forum is destined to all stakeholders of the retail industry in order to learn from each other and to achieve a closer cooperation and exchange. The forum aims to help to improve top-line growth, margins and inventories by attracting the best customers and matching their needs and expectations. The WDSF is held every other year in a different city.
Past WDSF events:
WDSF 2009 in Moscow
The 1st WDSF was organized in Moscow in April 2009 at the iconic GUM Red Square, in collaboration with GUM Department Store. During the two-day event, 15 seasoned retail CEOs shared their vision and objectives of how to deal with the development of flagship stores in a challenging time. The event was a great success and the 175 delegates appreciated the focused and intense programme and benefited a lot from the presentations and panel discussions. All information about the WDSF in Moscow can be accessed on www.dsfocus2009.org.
WDSF 2011 in Shanghai
The 2nd WDSF took place in Shanghai on 9-10 June 2011, under the theme of ‘China Impacts Department Stores and Suppliers’. The event was very successful and 312 retail executives from 26 countries along with Shanghai’s top government officials, created a world-class event featuring amazing presentations and dynamic panel discussions. Thanks to an impressive list of 16 seasoned retail CEOs, the Forum presented the latest business approaches as well as the visionary outlooks of the CEO speakers. WDSF 2011 was co-organized with Bailian Group. The Forum’s website is www.wdsf2011.org.
After four year of existence, these important events have gained highest industry attention and appraisal as well as firm place in retail executives’ annual diaries.