IGDS WDSS AWARDS 2025

The IGDS World Department Store Summit will celebrate the best-in-class in the industry.

World’s Most Innovative Department Store

This award recognises a truly exceptional world player that has demonstrated innovation and outstanding performances in all retail aspects. The competition is open to department stores across the world, from small to large to premium or luxury, evaluating their impact on customers, employees, community, stakeholders as well as the digitization and innovation of their business. 

Past winners: KaDeWe Group (2023), Selfridges (2018, 2014, 2012, 2010), Rinascente (2016) and Bloomingdale's (2008).

World's Best Sales Associate at a Department Store

Since 2015, this award has been celebrating the important contribution and performances of Sales Associates employed by department stores or its concession brands, to guide and serve customers beyong duty and reach as well strong commercial results. Ms Hayat Idrissi, Personal Shopper at Bloomingdales in Dubai (Al Tayer Insignia, UAE), was crowned the winner in 2023.

In January 2025, department stores from around the world will be invited to submit their Entry Forms for the chance to win these prestigious trophies. An international jury, composed of retail and business experts, will analyse and judge all entries. 

Winners will present their great stories during the Official Dinner, on 11th June 2025.

Winners and finalists of the IGDS WDSS Awards 2024 in Berlin

From Left to Right
Lars Pedersen, Regional Director at Bestseller ; Adrien Seugé, CMO Omni-Channel at L'Oréal Luxe ; Raymond Cloosterman, Founder and CEO of Rituals ; André Maeder, IGDS President ; Unisha Singh, Head of Marketing, Special Ocassions & Africa at Woolworths ; Kevin Gerard Pender, General Manager of Galeries Lafayette, Doha ; Britta Ratas, Marketing Director at Kaubamaja ; Erkki Laugus, CEO of Kaubamaja ; Michael Ganci, SVP at NuORDER by lightspeed.