TheInternational Association of Department Stores (IADS) is a retailtrade association founded in 1928 by a group ofdepartment stores with the goal of introducing modern management methods derived from thescientific management movement to their retail format.
According to James B. Jefferys,[5] the interest of the IADS was first its limited scope, with memberships restricted to one per country to promote cooperation, and second its scientific approach, through methods laid out by one of the early General Secretaries of the IADS, Dr Hrant Pasdermadjian (1936–1954)[6][7] (although his approach was severely judged in America).[8] During his tenure, Pasdermadjian published scientific manuals on the different department store functions, as well as his book on department stores.[9][10] His successor for 30 years, Dr James B. Jefferys, continued the task of bringing management research to department stores and continued publishing works on retailing.[11]
After Kaufmann, Hermann Maria Spitzer,[12] Pasdermadjian and Jefferys, Erik Kalderen, of Sweden'sNordiska Kompaniet department store, became its first secretary, serving in that role for five years. He was followed by Maarten de Groot van Embden for 25 years,[13][14] Armelle Mesguich for five years, and most recently Selvane Mohandas du Menil,[15][16] who took office part way through the 2020COVID-19 pandemic,[17][18] during which most stores were underlockdown.[19] There have been eight general managers in the 85 years between 1936 and 2025.
As of 2025, IADS is the fifth oldest retail association in the world, after the Australian Retail Association (founded 1903), theNational Retail Federation in the United States (founded 1911), the Austrian Retail Association (founded 1921) and the German Retail Federation.[20]
IADS shares retail management experience and best practices,[21] through meetings for CEOs,[22][23] main functions at senior level in the member companies,[24] findings within product categories[25][26] and private labels[27][28] dissemination of information and reports[29][30] about department stores, and statistical and other surveys[31][32] and consultancy on specific issues as requested by member companies,[33] such as the increasing competition coming from online retail channels.[34][35] The Association also shares insights on the evolution of markets, such as Mexico,[36] India[37][38] or China,[39][40] industry-related events such as the formation of new conglomerates[41][42][43] or the impact of large scale events on retail,[44] including by making public statements.[45][46][47][48] Finally it also contributes to disseminating knowledge about department stores in the world by collaborating with cultural institutions.[49]
The membership has varied from 4 to 25 companies, with an increasingly greater internationalisation. Since the 1990s it has included members from Asia and the Americas such asBeijing Hualian Group,The Mall Group, andFalabella.
^Bloemen, Erik; Spender, J.C.; Kijne, H.J. (1996). "The Movement for Scientific Management in Europe between the Wars".ScientificManagement. Boston, MA: Springer. pp. 111–112.ISBN978-1-4612-8617-2.
^Pasdermadjian, Hrand (1949).Le Grand magasin, son origine, son évolution, son avenir. Paris: Dunod.
^Pasdermadjian, Hrand (1954).The Department Store, its origins, evolution and economics. London: Newman Books.
^Jefferys, James B. (1954).Retail Trade in Britain 1850-1950. London: University Press.
^Sven Bogelund-Jensen, "The International Association of Department Stores: a society for management research", conference at the 10th congress of the International Chamber of Commerce, Copenhagen, 1939 - see World Trade, Volume 11, University of Minnesota, 1939
^Tamilia, Robert D. (2011).The wonderful world of the department store in historical perspective: a comprehensive international bibliography. Montreal: University of Quebec at Montreal. p. 128.
