Present & Future of Department Stores in Japan

schedule

17 septembre

Début du live à :

06:30 PM (Asia/Tokyo)
09:30 AM (UTC)

confirmation_number

Prix public

$25

Prix membre

Gratuit

schedule

17 septembre

06:30 PM (Asia/Tokyo)
09:30 AM (UTC)

Cet événement est passé.

Nos intervenants

Davide Sesia

Executive Vice President and Director

Sogo & Seibu Co

Davide Sesia currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Director of Sogo & Seibu Co. Ltd. He was appointed after the acquisition by Fortress Group, making him the first non-Japanese national to hold the role. Since coming to Japan in 1992, Davide has gained extensive management experience at the Japan branches of several overseas fashion companies. After serving as CFO at Benetton Japan and Managing Director of Benetton Korea, he held the position of Representative Director and President of Prada Japan from 2000 to 2022, overseeing Japanese and international subsidiaries, including Miu Miu, Church’s, Jil Sander and Helmut Lang among others. He concurrently served as Executive Managing director of Prada Holding Japan, Retail Real Estate subsidiary in 2015-2023. Additionally, a book author and guest speaker and participant in seminars and other events on the luxury market and consumer behavior. Having been doing business in Japan for about 30 years, he is well versed not only in the Japanese language but also in Japanese culture and business. In recognition of his contributions to the fashion business, he was awarded the “Cavaliere” of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2010, “Ufficiale” in 2020 and “Commendatore” in 2024. Davide holds a degree in business administration from the Catholic University in Milan.

Selvane Mohandas du Ménil

Managing Director

IADS (International Association of Department Stores)

Selvane Mohandas du Ménil, 47, has been Managing Director of the International Association of Department Stores (IADS) since June 2020, the oldest and most exclusive think tank dedicated to this retail format, counting among its members Galeries Lafayette, El Corte Inglés, and SKP. The Association has been re-aligned with its original purpose set when created in 1928, and is now an expert platform and a consulting structure, dedicated to department stores. Prior to this experience in retail, most of his career was made in the luxury and fashion industru: he held positions in product development (Louis Vuitton, L’Oréal), before turning to business development (Yves Saint Laurent, Sonia Rykiel). Prior to joining the IADS, he served as Deputy Director at Parfums D’Orsay. Born in France and of Indian origins, he holds a degree in foreign languages and law from the Université Gustave-Eiffel, and graduated from HEC Paris and IFM (Institut Français de la Mode). He is an alumnus of Science Po Paris. Author of research works on Luxury, he also contributed to the fine art monthly magazine Beaux Arts Magazine, for the fashion column, from 2019 to 2025. His extensive experience in business development, combined with his current position, where he regularly interacts with the CEOs of the world's top department stores, enables him to possess an expert understanding of retail, particularly the trends, challenges, and solutions in the dynamic world of department stores.

Détails de l'événement

The department store landscape in Asia is undergoing significant transformation as retailers respond to changing consumer behaviors, digital disruption, and increased competition from online and specialty stores. Across the region, traditional department stores are redefining their roles by focusing on experiential retail, luxury brands, and inclusive customer experiences to stay relevant.

Within this evolving context, Seibu Ikebukuro stands out as a prominent example of adaptation and reinvention. Currently undergoing a major renovation set for completion in summer 2025, Seibu Ikebukuro is embracing a new concept of "INCLUSION," unifying men's and women's sections into gender-neutral spaces. The store is expanding its luxury goods area by 1.3 times, adding around 60 new cosmetics brands, and enhancing its basement food floor to cater to sophisticated culinary tastes.

Following a 2023 ownership change with Fortress Investment Group acquiring Seibu & Sogo, Seibu Ikebukuro is also leveraging strategic partnerships, including collaboration with Yodobashi Holdings, to revitalize its offerings and operations.

By focusing on these innovations, Seibu Ikebukuro exemplifies how department stores in Asia are evolving to meet contemporary consumer expectations. This case provides valuable insights into the broader trends shaping the future of department stores in the region and globally.

Event Program

6:30 PM – Welcome & Introduction
6:35 PM – Talk: Exploring Seibu Ikebukuro and the Role of Department Stores in Japan
7:05 PM – Live Q&A Session
7:30 PM – Closing Remarks