Galeries Lafayette Chair Nicolas Houzé Returns to Lead IADS with Falabella's Irarrázaval as Vice President
The International Association of Department Stores (IADS) has announced its new leadership duo following the 66th General Assembly in Hong Kong on November 12. Members unanimously elected Nicolas Houzé, the esteemed chair of the Galeries Lafayette Group’s executive board, as the organization's new president. Supporting him in this crucial role will be Francisco Irarrázaval, managing director of Falabella Retail, who has been appointed as vice-president.
For Nicolas Houzé, this appointment marks a significant return to the helm of IADS, resuming leadership seven years after his initial term. The Galeries Lafayette Group has maintained a deep-rooted connection with the association, being a long-standing member since 1960. Aged 50, Houzé takes over the presidency from Kamshim Lau of Lifestyle International Holdings Limited (Sogo Hong Kong). The accomplished French executive assumed the role of chair of his family group’s executive board in 2024, following a successful tenure leading the Department Stores division (Galeries Lafayette) from 2013 to 2024. His extensive leadership experience also includes chairing the Comité stratégique de filière (CSF) Mode et Luxe and the Union du Commerce de Centre-Ville (UCV).
While President Houzé brings a wealth of familiarity with IADS leadership, the election of Francisco Irarrázaval as vice-president signifies a notable first for Falabella Retail within the association's executive ranks. The South American retail giant has been an active member of IADS since 2006. Irarrázaval, also 50 years old and an alumnus of Harvard, has been instrumental in his role as managing director of Falabella’s department stores division, overseeing operations in Chile, Colombia, and Peru since 2021.
Completing the robust executive committee are several other prominent figures in the global retail landscape: Kamshim Lau, the outgoing president; Holger Blecker, CEO of Breuninger; Olivier Bron, CEO of Bloomingdale’s; and Peter King of Magasin du Nord. The new president, Nicolas Houzé, articulated his vision in a statement, emphasizing, "IADS provides a unique strategic platform where sharing expertise, access to powerful tools and the ability to anticipate trends enable us to turn challenges into opportunities." He further added, "Our ambition is to reinforce the global leadership of department stores and prepare the future of retail."
IADS continues to expand its influence and resources, having recently welcomed John Lewis & Partners into its distinguished membership. The association provides its members with practical and cutting-edge tools, including Retail Hub for technology sourcing, RH-ISAC for robust cyber security solutions, and Newstores for invaluable retail trend analysis. Furthermore, IADS is dedicated to nurturing future talent through the IADS Academy, a specialized mentoring program for young professionals. Collectively, IADS members represent a formidable force in the retail sector, boasting a combined revenue exceeding €40.5 billion, operating 549 stores, and employing 251,000 individuals across 28 countries worldwide.
