Page 5 - RLIJune2026

RLI MEETS Who’s Who in Retail

Sung-Joo Kim
Chairperson & Chief Visionary Officer,

MCM Worldwide

To begin with, what are the key objectives must be more agile, empathetic and open to piece as part of their personal journey, I’m
for the business moving forward in the learning than ever before. My responsibility is reminded that what we create has meaning
coming months? to create an environment where creativity can beyond commerce. I stay inspired through
As we enter a special moment in our his- flourish, diverse voices are heard and innova- travel, observing cultural change, engaging
tory, our focus is on preparing MCM for its tion serves a meaningful purpose. with young people and remaining curious.
next fifty years. In 2026, we celebrate MCM’s
50th anniversary, an opportunity to honour Who or what has been the biggest influence What part does the business play in the
our heritage while continuing to innovate in your leadership journey and how has it environment of sustainability and how
for the future. Our priorities are centred on shaped your approach to your role? is this concept integrated within the
strengthening MCM’s position as a global lu- My mother had the greatest influence on my company as a whole?
xury lifestyle brand, deepening engagement life. She taught me a philosophy that still gui- For MCM, sustainability is about balancing
with our international community and con- des me today: “Succeed to Serve”. Growing up heritage with innovation, preserving the crafts-
tinuing our digital transformation. in a traditional society taught me that challen- manship and quality that define luxury while
ges can become opportunities with courage embracing more responsible materials and te-
Has your company’s strategy evolved at all and conviction. I have also been deeply inspi- chnologies. Achieving Butterfly Mark certifica-
to address shifting consumer behaviour red by cultural exchange. As a Korean woman tion was an important milestone and we have
and economic changes? leading a German luxury house with a global continued investing in next-generation mate-
Absolutely. Luxury always reflects the spirit of presence, I have seen how innovation emerges rials, including our MIRUM® capsule collection
its time. Today’s consumers are looking for au- when different cultures and perspectives come featuring a plastic-free, recyclable vegan leather
thenticity, functionality and meaning. They are together. MCM itself reflects that philosophy. alternative. Collaboration is also important.
investing in products that align with their values Through partnerships such as MCM x Harper
and lifestyle. At MCM, we recognised this shift How important is marketing and social Collective, founded by Jaden Smith and Sebas-
early. We anticipated the rise of mobility and media within your growth strategy and do tian Manes, we are exploring new possibilities
versatility, which is why we transformed the bac- you think AI and automation will impact for sustainable luxury and conscious travel.
kpack into a luxury icon and continue to focus the retail landscape?
on products that enable freedom and self-ex- Marketing and social media are incredibly If we look at the retail industry as a whole,
pression. Consumers are also seeking emotional important because they allow us to build re- what lessons has the business learnt from
connection and cultural relevance. This is why lationships, not simply transactions. Today’s navigating major disruptions and do you
MCM has become known for creative collabo- consumers want authenticity, emotional con- feel this has better prepared you for future
rations such as MCM x PUMA, MCM x BE@ nection and meaningful storytelling. As we challenges?
RBRICK, MCM x Crocs and MCM x BAPE. celebrate MCM’s 50th anniversary in 2026, we The greatest lesson is that resilience comes
have launched a new storytelling initiative hi- from adaptability. Over the years, we have
What do you see as the biggest ghlighting the people who have shaped MCM’s navigated economic crises, technological dis-
opportunities in retail over the next journey across generations. Through themes ruption, geopolitical uncertainty and a global
few years and how are you positioning such as family, legacy and first experiences, we pandemic. Each challenge reinforced the im-
yourselves to capitalise on them? are celebrating the human side of luxury. One portance of remaining agile while staying true
The future of retail lies at the intersection of example is our My First MCM series featuring to our core values. Consumers, markets and
physical experience, digital intelligence and Coreen Krosch, Managing Director of EMEA, technologies may change, but authenticity,
human connection. Consumers no longer se- alongside her daughter and mother. We are also creativity and trust remain timeless.
parate online and offline worlds. The brands proud to spotlight Herbert Lieb, our Brand Am-
that succeed will be those that create meanin- bassador and former MCM employee, whose And finally, any last thoughts for our
gful experiences across every touchpoint whi- four decades with the brand reflect the impor- readers or is there anything else you would
le remaining true to their identity. At MCM, tance of craftsmanship and legacy. like to add?
we see strong opportunities in experiential We are entering a fascinating new era for
retail, social commerce, AI-enabled persona- What do you find most rewarding about luxury. Technology is accelerating change,
lisation and global community building. leading a retail company in today’s climate cultures are more connected than ever and
and how do you personally stay inspired younger generations are redefining success,
What are your key priorities as a leader and and connected to your brand’s mission? creativity and self-expression. For brands,
have these shifted at all in recent times? The most rewarding aspect is seeing the this creates an exciting opportunity to lis-
My priorities have remained remarkably emotional connection people form with our ten, adapt and create experiences that feel
consistent throughout my career: people, brand. Luxury is not simply about products, meaningful and inspiring. Luxury today is
purpose and innovation. What has changed it is about aspiration, identity and self-expres- no longer about exclusivity alone, it is about
is the speed of change itself. Today’s leaders sion. When I see someone carrying an MCM connection, individuality and relevance.

4 Retail & Leisure International June 2026