Page 57 - RLIJune2026

From left: Sergio Langarica (Nuna); Rvisra Chirathivat,
Natira Boonsri, Tapida Norpanlob (Central Department Store);
Leonie Foster (Selfridges) and Rodrigo Luna (Liverpool)

EVENT REVIEW - IGDS WDSS 2026

Inspiring IGDS WDSS

in Mexico City

From left: Alonso Yanez (Capgemini)
Thomas Masicek (T-System) and Julius Carrell (Enactor)

at Club de Banqueros where the winner Department Store; Rvisra Chirathivat,
Organised for the first time in uring the two-day conference, transactions and have become destinations and finalists of the ‘World’s Best Retail CMO and Tapida Norpanlob, Director of IGDS WORLD DEPARTMENT
Latin America on 19-20 May titled Paving the Way to New for discovery, interaction and community. Media Unit at a Department Store’ award Omnichannel and Merchandising. STORE SUMMIT (IGDS WDSS)
Heights, more than 20 major Innovation, credibility and maintaining
In their acceptance speech, they mentioned:
2026 by Liverpool and IGDS, the D industry leaders from Boston consistency across markets and generations were revealed. Department stores are key “For nearly eight decades, Central has grown IGDS WDSS is the world’s leading
pillars of the shopping experience and
17th IGDS World Department Consulting Group, Liverpool, Gap Inc., were also identified as key pillars of brand have evolved from traditional retail hubs alongside Thailand, guided by one core discussion platform for department
Store Summit was a great Kurt Geiger, Authentic Brands Group, DHL longevity. Another recurring message was that into dynamic omni-channel environments. belief: ‘Customer First’. Our goal is to be the store CEOs, senior executives and their
success, bringing together more Express, Nordstrom, Verneek, Enactor, opportunities for newness and reinvention Retail media has therefore become a retail media platform where brands amplify stakeholders including brands, suppliers
are everywhere.
T-Systems, Capgemini, Fashion Sights, Paul
than 320 top executives from 38 & Shark, Thom Browne, Xiaohongshu, In an environment featuring increasing powerful lever for driving revenue growth, their communication and strengthen their and service companies, to meet,
network and exchange ideas. IGDS
countries in Mexico City. Paris Department Store, Aeromexico, WOW complexity and constant transformation, transforming the way retailers connect with presence, connecting with our customers WDSS 2026 was organised by Liverpool
consumers across all channels.
through every physical and digital touchpoint.
Concept, Egon Zehnder, El Palacio de Hierro, retail CEOs insisted that leadership This landmark award celebrates the Powered by 312 million annual visits, 21 and IGDS. www.wdss2026.org
Devialet and MECCA discussed business continuity has become a defining factor of achievements of a retail media team that uses million The1 loyalty members and more than
models, trends and perspectives leading the organisational resilience. data intelligently, storytelling effectively and 600 seamlessly connected media touchpoints, Store Summit once again demonstrated
evolution of the global retail industry. The summit’s participants had the digital tools innovatively, while remaining this is the retail media platform we have built.” the value of connecting with peers from
They confirmed that retail is being opportunity to visit the Liverpool flagship
reshaped by rapid advances in AI, emerging store in Polanco, an inspiring destination true to the brand’s identity and adapting to They concluded by thanking their partners around the world, drawing inspiration from
across various industries as well as their teams remarkable leaders and gaining fresh insights
the ever-changing expectations of shoppers
technologies and economic pressures, but showcasing leading local and international in increasingly unpredictable times. throughout Central Department Store Group. to support future developments.
also underlined that department stores and brands across 35,000sq m in Beauty, Fashion, Central Department Store, Thailand, was The other two finalists were Selfridges
retailers can continue to grow by placing Food, Home and Electronics, complemented declared the winner of this inaugural award. & Co (UK), represented by Leonie Foster, The next IGDS WDSS has already been
the customer at the centre of every decision, by a world-class spa. Jury Chair Sergio Langarica, Sales Director COO and Liverpool (Mexico), represented announced and will be held on 17-18 June
regardless of channel, time or location. Another highlight of the Summit was South America at Nuna Baby, presented the by Rodrigo Luna, CMO. 2027 in Madrid, Spain, co-organised by
Stores have ceased to be merely spaces for the Official Dinner & Award Ceremony
trophy to Natira Boonsri, CEO of Central This edition of the IGDS World Department WOW Concept and IGDS.

56 Retail & Leisure International June 2026 June 2026 Retail & Leisure International 57