Meet Generation Alpha: the tech-savvy, trendsetting kids born between 2010 and 2024 who are already shaking up the world of retail. With a projected economic impact of $5.46 trillion by 2029, these digital natives are more than just future shoppers—they’re influencing what their families buy today and setting new standards for brands everywhere.

Join hosts Maya and Christine as they unpack how Gen Alpha’s love for gaming, demand for authenticity, and seamless blending of digital and physical worlds are forcing retailers to rethink everything from store design to product launches. From Roblox to real-world retail, discover why this generation is impossible to ignore—and what you can do to stay ahead of the curve.

✨ Don’t miss our latest exclusive on Gen Alpha’s retail revolution. [Read it here!]

For more fresh insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn 🔗, subscribe to our Substack 📰, and visit www.iads.org 🌍 for even more resources!

In this episode of The IADS Retail Park, Maya and Selvane unpack how Gen Z is rewriting the rules of retail and putting traditional department stores to the test. Drawing on exclusive IADS research, they explore why brands like Deciem, H&M, and Shein are winning over young shoppers with their mix of affordability, speed, and authentic values.

Discover how Gen Z’s demand for transparency, instant gratification, and real sustainability is forcing department stores to rethink everything: from store design and logistics to resale, digital engagement, and the very definition of brand loyalty. From TikTok-driven trends 📱 to the rise of circular fashion ♻️, Maya and Selvane break down the strategies and pitfalls for retailers hoping to stay relevant in a fast-changing landscape.

👉Click here to read the full exclusive.

For more insights, visit our Substack, explore our website, and learn more on Wikipedia.For more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here! 🌍

In this episode of IADS Retail Park 🎙️, hosts Maya and Christine unpack the game-changing shift in department store strategy as major players like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Magasin du Nord embrace small-format stores. 🏬✨

Discover how these retailers are redefining retail space—moving beyond “bigger is better” to focus on curated selections, seamless omnichannel integration, and hyper-localised experiences that truly resonate with today’s consumers. 📦📱

We break down the successes, challenges, and future outlook of this transformative trend that’s reshaping the retail landscape. 💡

🚀 Don’t miss out! Read our latest exclusive on small-format stores [here]—packed with insider insights and must-see photos!

For more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here!🌐

In this episode of The IADS Retail Park, Maya and Christine Montard—Director of Markets and Events at IADS—explore Brazil’s Cidade Matarazzo, a city-within-a-city designed to blend luxury retail, hospitality, art, sustainability, and social purpose. What can department stores and retail leaders learn from their approach to connecting community, commerce, and culture? Join us for a close-up on the new urban retail frontier.

👉Click here to read the full exclusive.

For more insights, visit our Substack, explore our website, and learn more on Wikipedia.

In this episode, Maya and Dr. Christopher Knee unpack the world of digital payments—from tap-and-go solutions to the magic behind unified commerce. Hear real stories, big opportunities, and honest challenges as department stores move beyond cash to build a seamless, data-powered, and customer-first experience. Ready for the future of payments? Tune in!

For further insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here!

In this episode of The IADS Retail Park, Maya and Christine dive into exclusive, late-2021 insights from Pando Fashion, the consultancy pioneering practical sustainability in retail. Discover actionable advice on supply chain transparency, authentic CSR communication, staff engagement, and real-world KPIs. With global brands as case studies and a focus on customer autonomy, this episode illuminates what’s next for responsible retail.

👉Click here to read the full exclusive.

For more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here!

In this episode of The IADS Retail Park 🎙️, Maya and Selvanne take you inside Green Pea—the world’s first department store built 100% around sustainability. Discover how Green Pea’s bold “greenprint” impacts architecture, assortment, education, and every aspect of retail strategy. Is it a scalable business model or a bold laboratory for the future? Get actionable insights and real-world takeaways for the next era of department store innovation. For more insights, visit our Substack, explore our website, and learn more on Wikipedia.For more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here!

In this episode of The IADS Retail Park, Maya and Christine unpack the evolving role of private labels in department stores. Drawing on exclusive IADS research, they discuss why own brands are both a challenge and an opportunity, spanning value, innovation, loyalty, data, CSR, and profit. Discover how retailers are reinventing their private label strategies for a more competitive—and more conscious—marketplace.

For more insights, visit our Substack, explore our website, and learn more on Wikipedia. For more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn at International Association of Department Stores - IADS, check out our Substack, visit our website at www.iads.org for additional resources, and learn more here!

In this episode of The IADS Retail Park 🏢, Maya sits down with Dr. Christopher Knee, author of the IADS exclusive, to unravel the complex world of department store organisation charts. Together, they dive into how leading retailers strategically re-engineer their internal frameworks—balancing legacy layers with digital transformation 💻, the rise of specialised functions, and the unique challenges of managing flagships, outlets, and food divisions. Discover how the C-suite is evolving beyond tradition, why Digital and IT now command board-level influence, and how the ongoing tension between centralised control and agile innovation is shaping tomorrow's department store. From lessons rooted in retail’s long history 📜 to the cutting-edge demands of modern business, this episode delivers must-have insights for executives and retail strategists ready to master complexity and lead change.

[Read more about the anatomy of a department store on IADS Exclusive Insights!]

🔗 For more insights, follow the International Association of Department Stores on LinkedIn, subscribe to our Substack and visit www.iads.org for the latest research and exclusive resources.

In this episode of The IADS Retail Park🎙️, Maya and Anchita explore the dramatic ways department stores have accelerated their sustainability efforts in the wake of the global pandemic. Drawing on exclusive IADS research, they reveal how environmental and CSR initiatives have shifted from “nice to have” to absolutely essential.

Discover new organisational structures, transparent communication strategies, and the measurable impact of recent initiatives from global leaders like Breuninger, Sogo, El Corte Inglés, Galeries Lafayette, and more. Whether you’re an executive, a retail strategist, or a visual merchandising professional, you’ll find actionable takeaways to keep your sustainability strategy on the leading edge.

🔗 For more insights, follow the International Association of Department Stores on LinkedIn, subscribe to our Substack and visit www.iads.org for the latest research and exclusive resources.