The Global Department Store Summit (GDSS)

GDSS is the world’s leading discussion platform for department stores. It is a biennial conference, specifically designed for 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 related to the department stores’ businesses will be addressed and discussed from a global perspective. In this exclusive circle of industry peers, department store and retail executives will gain new insights into a variety of subject matters and develop international contacts with industry peers during both the Summit and Official Dinner. GDSS 2014 is organized by IGDS (Intercontinental Group of Department Stores) in collaboration with TANGS, Singapore.

Past GDSS events

. GDSS 2008 in London

The 1st GDSS was staged in London in May 2008, and was organized in cooperation with Selfridges. The theme of the conference was ‘Growth Opportunities for Department Stores’ . Leading executives from the global retail industry attended this successful event and benefited greatly from the dynamic presentations of fourteen highly experienced department stores CEOs. During the Official Dinner, the title of ‘Department Store of the Year 2008’ was awarded to Bloomingdales (USA); the other two finalists were Central Department Store (Thailand) and Woolworths (South Africa). To read more about this event, please visit the website www.dssummit2008.org.

. GDSS 2010 in New York

The 2nd GDSS saw delegates from 36 countries attending the Summit in New York. On this occasion, the GDSS was organized in collaboration with Saks Fifth Avenue. This 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. Selfridges (UK) won the ‘Department Store of the Year 2010’; the other two finalists were Bloomingdales (USA) and Lane Crawford (Hong Kong). Further information about the event can be found on the website www.dssummit2010.org

. GDSS 2012 in Paris

The 3rd GDSS was held at the iconic Centre Pompidou in Paris, organized in collaboration with Printemps. Carrying the title ‘Staying Relevant for Growth’, the Summit presented compelling presentations and great insights from 20 highly experienced retail CEOs from America, Asia, Europe and Australia. Selfridges was elected ‘Department Store of the Year 2012’ for the second time; the other  two finalists were Macy’s (USA) and Woolworths (South Africa). More information about GDSS2012 on the website www.dssummit2012.org