As of 2025, Galeries Lafayette operates 57 stores in France (including five inGreater Paris, and 12 outlet stores), alongside nine international locations (predominantly in Asia). Galeries Lafayette is the largest European upmarket department store chain by store count.
Share of the Galeries Lafayette S. A., issued 15 December 1922
In 1894,Théophile Bader and his cousinAlphonse Kahn opened a fashion store in a smallhaberdasher's shop at the corner ofrue La Fayette and theChaussée d'Antin, in Paris.[3] In 1896, their company purchased the entire building at 1 rue La Fayette; in 1905 they acquired the buildings at 38, 40 and 42boulevard Haussmann and 15 rue de la Chaussée d'Antin.[4] Bader commissioned the architect Georges Chedanne and his pupil Ferdinand Chanut to design the store at the Haussmann location, where a glass and steel dome andArt Nouveau staircases were finished in 1912.
In 2018, twenty-two stores in small and mid-sized French cities were turned into franchises and sold toFIB (Financière Immobilière Bordelaise) a company owned by Michel Ohayon.[6] The decision to convert the stores to franchises was done as Galeries Lafayette wanted to focus on expansion internationally and online.[7]
During 2021 eleven stores were franchised with seven sold toSociété des Grands Magasins and the three sold toFIB who previously took over twenty two stores in 2018. The eleventh store inAvignon was given to Philippe Sempéré and Nicolas Chambon who also operate theBéziers store.[8][9]
As of 2022, Galeries Lafayette has opened over 50 stores (including subsidiarised stores) in France alone along with twelveoutlet stores.
Inside view of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann with Christmas decorations
TheGaleries Lafayette Haussmann is the flagship store and is located onBoulevard Haussmann in the9th arrondissement of Paris, near Opera Garnier, at the corner ofRue La Fayette, close to Chaussée d'Antin – La Fayette Paris Métro station. It is a 70,000 m2 (750,000 sq ft) fashion flagship store.[10] A wide range of brands are available at the store to suit all budgets, from ready to wear to haute couture. The architecture of the store is art nouveau, with a remarkable dome and a panoramic view of Paris that has made it a tourist attraction of the French capital city.[11] Galeries Lafayette in Paris hosts a popular weekly fashion show for visitors.[12]
In 1893,Théophile Bader andAlphonse Kahn opened a 70-square-metre (750 sq ft) store in Paris, on the corner of rue La Fayette and rue de la Chaussée d’Antin, selling novelty gifts. In 1896, the company purchased the entire building at number 1, rue La Fayette followed in 1903 by numbers 38, 40, and 42 on Boulevard Haussmann, as well as number 15, rue de la Chaussée d’Antin.[13]
During Nazi occupation of France in 1940, Les Galeries Lafayette underwent a process of "Aryanization", that is the removal of Jewish owners and their replacement by non-Jewish owners.[14] Théophile Bader,Raoul Meyer,Max Heilbronn, the store's administrators and 129 Jewish employees were forced to resign. The property of Bader, Meyer and Heilbronn families was taken.[15][16]
The Galeries Lafayette group was transferred to non-Jewish owners: the Swiss Aubert and the French industrialist Harlachol.[17]
Théophile Bader appointed the architect Georges Chedanne to head up the first major renovations which were completed in 1907. Ferdinand Chanut, Georges Chedanne's apprentice, designed the store's 43-metre (141 ft) high Neo Byzantinedome.[18] This store's inauguration ceremony took place in October 1912.
Théophile Bader acquired production facilities in order to make clothing exclusively for Galeries Lafayette under its own private label. He also manufactured affordable versions of designer wear.[13]
This store then expanded to include menswear, furniture, toys and tableware departments and get involved in organizing events such as the rooftop landing by French pilotJules Védrines in 1919.[19]
In 1922, it opened arts workshops under the artistic direction ofMaurice Dufrêne in order to produce affordable furniture, fabric, carpets, wallpaper, pottery, and other household goods.[20]
Following theSecond World War, the store underwent a complete makeover.
During the 1950s it hosted large international exhibitions, such as "The Best of Italian Manufacturing" in 1953.
In the 1960s, young designers began launching theirready-to-wear lines at the store. The first designer to become famous was Laura, in 1962. A little while later she went on to become known asSonia Rykiel.[21]
From 1980 to 1999 "Fashion Festivals", were organized, in order to select designs for the store. In 1984, the store opened a designer department including designs from,Jean-Paul Gaultier andThierry Mugler.
From 2001 to 2015,Jean-Paul Goude collaborated with the brand on advertising campaigns in order to give the store a modern identity.[22]
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann's cultural space "Galerie des Galeries" holds three to four exhibitions a year, showcasing both French and international design.
Events
Every Friday visitors can attend the store's freefashion show at 3pm. These events can only be attended if reservations have been made in advance.
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann has a suspendedChristmas tree every year, the first of which was hung from the dome in 1976. The store also organizes a range of exhibitions and shows and during the festive period.
English-speaking staff in theconcierge area help with Wi-Fi access,tourist information, or restaurant and taxi reservations.[23]
The tax refund service enables non-European residents to claim back theirtax refund, based on the 12% tax they have paid on their purchases worth over €175.01 made on the day of purchase at Galeries Lafayette.[24]
Apersonal shopper is also available and VIP services include the ordering of limousines or package deliveries to hotels.[25]
Beijing, China – Opened in September 2013 (official opening was in October 2013) with the store covering a total area of 28,000 m2 (300,000 sq ft) across six floors.[26] The store was originally operated in a joint venture with Hong Kong-based retailerI.T but now all Galeries Lafayette stores in China are operated in partnership with theHopson Group.[27]
Doha, Qatar – On 15 April 2019, Galeries Lafayette opened the store in partnership with the Ali Bin Ali Group. The store is located at21 High Street and is over 14,500 m2 (156,000 sq ft).[28]
Dubai, UAE – Opened on 18 May 2009, the store is located atThe Dubai Mall.[29] In February 2011, the store unveiled Dubai's first gold ATM. Shoppers can insert cash and receive a corresponding amount of gold nuggets or coins.[30]
Jakarta, Indonesia – Opened in June 2013 the store is an anchor of thePacific Place Mall where it occupies four floors.[31] The store is operated in partnership with Mitra Adiperkasa.[32]
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg – Opened on 30 November 2019, in partnership with CODIC. The store is located within the Royal-Hamilius urban planning project built byNorman Foster.[33]
Macau – Opened on 26 January 2024.[34] The store is located at YOHO Treasure Island Resorts World and is operated in a partnership with Forward Fashion (International) Holdings Co. Ltd.[35][36][37]
Shenzhen, China – Opened on 11 July 2023 (with a soft opening earlier in May 2023), the store is located in the Upperhills development and is 4,500 m2 (48,000 sq ft) and the store includes aCafé Kitsuné.[39][40] The store was opened in a partnership with the Hopson Group.[41]
Delhi, India – The store will open in 2026 and will be located at the DLF Emporio. It will also be opened in partnership with theAditya Birla Group.[42][43]
Milan, Italy – In June 2014, it was announced that a Galeries Lafayette store would open in Italy located atWestfield Milano a proposed shopping mall, the store is planned to be 18,000 m2 (190,000 sq ft).[44] The Westfield Milano project is currently on hold.
Mumbai, India – The store will open in early November 2025 and be located within two heritage buildings in theFort precinct (Turner Morrison Building).[45][43] The interior will be designed by Virgile & Partners. The store will be opened in a partnership with theAditya Birla Group.[42]
New York City, United States – Opened in September 1991 in a building adjacent and connected toTrump Tower the space was previously filled byBonwit Teller from 1981 to 1989. However the store was unsuccessful and closed after three years in 1994.[59][60]
Singapore – Opened in 1982 at Goldhill Plaza, in 1986 the store closed and in 1987 relocated toLiat Towers. That store then closed in 1996.
Beirut, Lebanon – Originally planned to open in the late 1990s/early 2000s but plans were put on hold and the franchise holder instead opened in Dubai.[61]
Guiyang, China – In 2020 it was announced that a store would open at D Place but the store was cancelled in favour to open a store in Chongqing.[39]
Istanbul, Turkey – Planned to open in 2019 at the Vadistanbul Shopping Centre it would have been the second store in Turkey and over 6,000 square metres.[62]
Kuwait City, Kuwait – Planned to open in 2019 at theAssima Mall in partnership with Ali Bin Ali the store would have been 7,500 m2 (81,000 sq ft).[62]
Moscow, Russia – There were plans to open a store in 2013. However, they never eventuated.[57]
They also used to ownBHV until they sold the company to Groupe SGM in 2023.[65] The group previously owned theEatalyMarais store (from 2019 to 2024)[66] and BazarChic which will close in early 2025.[67]
