The DOUGLAS Group, Europe's leading premium beauty retailer, announced that Jean-Marc Bellaiche will become its new Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2026. He succeeds Sander van der Laan, who is retiring after a 36-year career in international retail, including four years with the DOUGLAS Group. The Supervisory Board of Douglas AG appointed Bellaiche for a four-year term.
Dr. Henning Kreke, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, praised van der Laan's leadership: "We truly regret Sander van der Laan's decision to retire, while fully respecting his choice after a long and successful career. With his departure, the DOUGLAS Group loses an outstanding leader and highly experienced retail executive who has played a pivotal role in the successful development of the Group." Kreke also expressed confidence in Bellaiche, citing his extensive experience in international retail and luxury, with a strong track record in beauty, premium department stores, digital transformation, brand building, and strategy.
Bellaiche, a 56-year-old Frenchman, brings a wealth of experience. He began his career at Boston Consulting Group in 1993, eventually becoming Managing Director and Global Leader of the Luxury, Fashion and Beauty sector. In 2014, he joined Tiffany & Co. as Senior Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee. He later held senior leadership and board positions at technology companies Contentsquare and Arianee. After a decade in the United States, he returned to Europe in 2020 to become CEO of Printemps Group, where he strengthened the department store chain's distinctiveness, accelerated its international and omnichannel development, and improved operating profitability. Most recently, he served as CEO of luxury resort operator Sani/Ikos Group.
Van der Laan joined the DOUGLAS Group in October 2022 and drove its transformation into a true omnichannel business. His achievements include a new category and exclusive-brands strategy, a comprehensive update of store formats and network, reorganization of the supply chain, further development of digital platforms, implementation of an ESG strategy, and harmonization of internal processes. In 2024, the company was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. He also introduced the corporate purpose 'Make life more beautiful'.
The leadership change comes as the beauty industry evolves rapidly, with increasing digitalization and changing consumer expectations. Bellaiche's appointment signals a continued focus on customer-centricity, beauty brand partnerships, and operational excellence. His experience in luxury and digital transformation could further strengthen the DOUGLAS Group's omnichannel strategy and premium positioning. The company, which operates around 1,970 stores and employs more than 19,900 people across Europe, generated sales of 4.58 billion euros in the financial year 2024/2025. With Bellaiche at the helm, the group aims to build on its strengths and navigate the challenges of a dynamic market.
For more details, visit the DOUGLAS Group Website or read the original release on www.newmediawire.com.
