Organizers

The 6^th WDSF 2019 is organized by Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS), in collaboration with J. Front Retailing and Japan Department Store Association.

J. Front Retailing
The group is one of Japan’s leading department store chain, operating 17 Daimaru and Matsuzakaya stores in major cities in Japan. It also manages 18 shopping complexes under the brand Parco. In the 2017's fiscal year, J. Front Retailing entered a new segment, the real estate business, with Ginza Six and Ueno Frontier Tower. In addition, the Company operates in credit and finance, design and construction, staffing and wholesale. The Group aims to grow and develop as a multi service retailer beyond the framework of retailing. www.j-front-retailing.com/english/

Japan Department Store Association (JDSA)
JDSA was established on March 16, 1948 with the aim to support the development of the department store industry while improving the lives of Japanese people as well as the nation’s economy. As per September 2018, JDSA counts 80 member companies which are operating in 206 department stores. The member companies’ total sales in 2017 reached approximatively US$54 billion. The organisation’s main topic for 2018 is ‘Changing our own image in accordance to the changing times’. www.depart.or.jp

Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS)
IGDS is the largest association for department stores worldwide. IGDS was founded in 1946 with the purpose of supporting and informing department stores from around the world. Today, IGDS comprises one of the most unique and vibrant retail networks in the industry with 42 members from 38 countries. Together IGDS members generated total sales of over US$100bn in 2017. IGDS is the organiser of both the Global Department Store Summit (GDSS) and World Department Store Forum, successfully held in London (2008), Moscow (2009), New York (2010), Shanghai (2011), Paris (2012), Istanbul (2013), Singapore (2014), Rome (2015), Zurich (2016), Toronto (2017) and London (2018). www.igds.org