As the historic French retailer looks to scale its international presence, Arthur Lemoine’s appointment signals a renewed focus on global growth and operational agility
Galeries Lafayette has named Arthur Lemoine as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a strategic leadership shift as the storied department store group intensifies its global expansion. The appointment, announced on July 8, comes at a pivotal moment for the Paris-based retailer, which is seeking to evolve beyond its domestic roots and reposition itself in a luxury retail landscape increasingly shaped by international tourism, omnichannel expectations, and shifting consumer behaviors.
Lemoine steps into the role following a period of internal transformation within the Galeries Lafayette Group. Formerly deputy CEO, he brings nearly a decade of experience with the company, having overseen strategy, development, and operations. His promotion aligns with the group’s broader ambition to extend its retail footprint in key international markets, building on recent openings in cities such as Shanghai, Doha, and Luxembourg. With travel retail regaining momentum post-pandemic, Lemoine’s appointment is seen as both a continuity move and a signal of acceleration.
Lemoine began his career with Galeries Lafayette in 2010 as a buyer in the fragrance category, advancing through a range of leadership roles within the business. His trajectory has included strategic oversight of key divisions such as food and beverage, where he was instrumental in the launch of Eataly Paris Marais, and the watches and jewelry category. Most recently, he has been central to the revitalization of the Boulevard Haussmann flagship, spearheading efforts to modernize its offering and enhance the store’s relevance for a new generation of consumers. The company invested approximately €100 million into the flagship’s transformation in 2021, with an equivalent sum earmarked for further modernization over the next five years, according to Houzé.
The leadership transition also reflects a generational shift within the company. Lemoine, who succeeds Nicolas Houzé, a fifth-generation member of the supervising family, will remain closely linked, stepping into the role of executive chairman for the Galeries Lafayette Group. Houzé, who retains a leadership role at parent company Galeries Lafayette Group, will now focus on steering the group’s broader portfolio, including La Redoute, watch and jewelry retailer Louis Pion, jewelry brand Mauboussin, and the Royal Quartz travel retail division, which includes 11 stores in Paris airports. The strategic delineation enables Lemoine to focus fully on the Galeries Lafayette brand at a moment when it is recalibrating its physical and digital presence.
Founded in 1893, Galeries Lafayette has long served as a bellwether for French retail, blending commercial innovation with cultural cachet. But as legacy department stores across the globe confront the challenges of relevance, scale, and differentiation, Lemoine’s stewardship will be closely watched. His mandate includes not only geographic growth but also refining the experiential appeal of flagship stores, particularly the iconic Boulevard Haussmann location, and deepening the brand’s resonance with a younger, more international clientele.
Lemoine’s elevation to CEO comes at a moment of both risk and opportunity for Galeries Lafayette. As the retailer leans into international expansion and digital reinvention, its ability to remain a symbol of Parisian allure while adapting to the global retail climate will define the success of this next chapter. With Lemoine at the helm, the brand is positioning itself not merely to compete, but to reassert its relevance across a shifting luxury retail map.