Lotte Department Store to host global retail forum next month

Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Courtesy of Lotte Department Store — Lotte Department Store Myeongdong/ Courtesy of Lotte Department Store

SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - Lotte Department Store will co-host the World Department Store Summit (WDSS) in Seoul next month, marking the first time the global retail conference is held in South Korea, the company announced on Tuesday.

The two-day event, set for June 11 and 12 at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, will bring together senior executives from more than 20 department store groups across 10 countries. This year’s theme, “How to Best Captivate Customers,” will explore strategies for consumer engagement in an evolving retail landscape.

The summit is organized by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores, a Zurich-based alliance comprising 44 members from 38 countries. Lotte is the only South Korean retailer in the organization.

“Hosting the IGDS summit for the first time in Korea is recognition of K-retail by the global market,” said Chung Joon-ho, chief executive of Lotte Department Store, who is slated to deliver the keynote address.

The agenda features eight sessions focused on retail transformation, emerging technologies, consumer trends, innovation, and service excellence. Notable speakers include Brad Bickley, global president of Nuna, and Fanya Chandler, president of Nordstrom.

First launched in London in 2008, the WDSS has since been held in 15 cities, including New York (2010), Zurich (2016), and Berlin earlier this year.

The summit will conclude with a tour of Lotte’s flagship store in Myeongdong, where delegates will examine the retailer’s operational model and future plans.

Kim Dong-young davekim0807@ajupress.com

Lotte Department Store to host global retail forum next month

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