Galeries Lafayette
French department store chain From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
French department store chain From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Galeries Lafayette (French pronunciation: [ɡalʁi lafajɛt]) is an upmarket French department store chain, the biggest in Europe. Its flagship store is on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris but it now operates a number of locations in France and other countries. In 2019, Galeries Lafayette recorded earnings of over five billion euros.[1] It is a part of the company Groupe Galeries Lafayette[2] and has been a member of the International Association of department stores since 1960.[3][4]
| |
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1894 in Paris, France |
| Founder | Théophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
Number of locations | 69 (2024) |
| Parent | Galeries Lafayette Group |
| Website | galerieslafayette |
In 1894, Théophile Bader and his cousin Alphonse Kahn opened a fashion store in a small haberdasher's shop at the corner of rue La Fayette and the Chaussée d'Antin, in Paris.[5] In 1896, their company purchased the entire building at 1 rue La Fayette; in 1905 they acquired the buildings at 38, 40 and 42 boulevard Haussmann and 15 rue de la Chaussée d'Antin.[6] 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 and Art Nouveau staircases were finished in 1912.
From 1921 Maurice Dufrêne directed the Maîtrise workshop of the Galeries Lafayette. This workshop for decorative art and furniture followed the Primavera of the Printemps store founded in 1912 by René Guilleré, Paul Follot's Pomone of Le Bon Marché, and the Studium of the Grands Magasins du Louvre.[7]
In 2018, twenty-two stores in small and mid-sized French cities were turned into franchises and sold to FIB (Financière Immobilière Bordelaise) a company owned by Michel Ohayon.[8] The decision to convert the stores to franchises was done as Galeries Lafayette wanted to focus on expansion internationally and online.[9]
During 2021 eleven stores were franchised with seven sold to Société des Grands Magasins and the three sold to FIB who previously took over twenty two stores in 2018. The eleventh store in Avignon was given to Philippe Sempéré and Nicolas Chambon who also operate the Béziers store.[10][11]
As of 2022, Galeries Lafayette has opened over 50 stores (including subsidiarised stores) in France alone along with twelve outlet stores.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, the flagship store, is located on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, near Opera Garnier, at the corner of Rue 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.[12] 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.[13] Galeries Lafayette in Paris hosts a popular weekly fashion show for visitors.[14]
In 1893, Théophile Bader and Alphonse 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.[15]
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.[16] 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.[17][18]
The Galeries Lafayette group was transferred to non-Jewish Svedberg owners: the Swiss Aubert and the French industrialist Harlachol.[19]
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 Byzantine dome.[20] This store's inauguration ceremony took place in October 1912.
In 1932, the store was renovated with an Art Déco style by an architect named Pierre Patou.
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.[15]
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 pilot Jules Védrines in 1919.[21]
In 1922, it opened arts workshops under the artistic direction of Maurice Dufrêne in order to produce affordable furniture, fabric, carpets, wallpaper, pottery, and other household goods.[22]
Following the Second 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 their ready-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 as Sonia Rykiel.[23]
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 and Thierry Mugler.
From 2001 to 2015, Jean-Paul Goude collaborated with the brand on advertising campaigns in order to give the store a modern identity.[24]
Galerie Lafayette Paris Haussmann is a 70,000 m2 (750,000 sq ft) store. Mostly dedicated to fashion, it also has other offers and services.
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann's food tasting bars offer French food together with produce from around the world.
Cafés, bars and restaurants are located in the store for drinks and meals.
The rooftop has a bar, restaurant and terrace with a panoramic view of Paris and its monuments including the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower, Invalides, and Opera Garnier.
Cultural space
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 free fashion show at 3 pm. These events can only be attended if reservations have been made in advance.
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann has a suspended Christmas 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 the concierge area help with Wi-Fi access, tourist information, or restaurant and taxi reservations.[25]
The tourist information desk provides information and tickets for transport, museums, attraction parks, guided tours, cruises on the Seine River, cabaret performances, shows and concerts, hotels, and currency exchange.
The store's geolocation app helps shoppers find brands and access restaurants, customer service, and shop locations.
The tax refund service enables non-European residents to claim back their tax 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.[26]
A personal shopper is also available and VIP services include the ordering of limousines or package deliveries to hotels.[27]
The information office, located on the ground floor, provides information related to all the services offered by the store.
The Galeries Lafayette Group has its head office in Paris.[60]
The Group owns the following subsidiaries:
They also used to own BHV until they sold the company to Groupe SGM in 2023.[61]
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