The Global Department Store Summit (GDSS)

GDSS is the world’s only department store focused discussion platform. It is 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 relating 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 relationships with industry peers during both the Summit and Official Dinner. The GDSS is held every other year in a different city. 

Past GDSS events

. GDSS 2008 in London

The first GDSS was staged in London in May 2008. It was organized in cooperation with Selfridges and the theme of the conference was ‘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 second 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 co-organized by Saks Fifth Avenue and IGDS. 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