Industry Statistics and Trends
Department Stores in Europe key trends
Department stores are no longer in vogue.
The once king of the high street has succumbed to shifting consumer preferences and the desire for convenience, affordability and sustainability.
The retail market shifts online.
Faced with meteoric rises in online shopping, traditional department stores are placing a greater focus on adjusting products and creating an immersive consumer experience to keep people coming through their doors.
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Department Stores in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Department Stores in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €197.4bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Luxury tourism boosts European department stores, while the UK lags behind
- Europe’s luxury fashion scene—home to giants like LVMH, Chanel, and Loewe—is booming as international tourism rebounds. Department stores across the continent are thriving, boosted by favourable exchange rates, tax-free shopping, and a surge in high-spending tourists, especially from the US and China.
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Department Stores in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Experiential retailing looks set to stay, opening up new markets
- The experiential retail trend is set to continue. Modern shoppers – particularly Gen-Z value experiences over possessions. For instance, an Eventbrite survey indicated that 66% of British 18-34-year-olds feel more fulfilled by live experiences than by purchasing items of equivalent value.
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Revenue
€197.4bn
Employees
1m
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
Top 5 Countries
Bottom 5 Countries
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Department Stores in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
El Corte Inglés SA | 19,377.7 | -1,251.9 | -6.5 | |
Marks and Spencer Group plc | 17,121.5 | 845.3 | 4.9 | |
The TJX Companies Inc | 61,802.8 | 7,828.6 | 12.7 |
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Department Stores in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Department Stores industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Department Stores industry in Europe is €197.4bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Department Stores industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 259k businesses in the Department Stores industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Department Stores industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Department Stores industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 2.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Department Stores industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Department Stores industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Department Stores industry in Europe include?
Clothing and footwear and Accessories are part of the Department Stores industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Department Stores industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Department Stores industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Department Stores industry in Europe?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Department Stores industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Department Stores in Austria
- Department Stores in France
- Department Stores in Lithuania
- Department Stores in the Netherlands
- Department Stores in Belgium
- Department Stores in Cyprus
- Department Stores in Estonia
- Department Stores in Iceland
- Department Stores in Europe
- Department Stores in the UK
- Department Stores in Germany
- Department Stores in Ireland
- Department Stores in Greece
- Department Stores in Romania
- Department Stores in Norway
- Department Stores in Italy
- Department Stores in the UK
- Department Stores in Sweden
- Department Stores in Germany
- Department Stores in Latvia
- Department Stores in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Department Stores in Spain
- Department Stores in Portugal
- Department Stores in Serbia
- Department Stores in Czechia
- Department Stores in Turkey
- Department Stores in Ireland
- Department Stores in Finland
- Department Stores in Bulgaria
- Department Stores in Luxembourg
- Department Stores in Russia
- Department Stores in Slovakia
- Department Stores in Hungary
- Department Stores in Denmark
- Department Stores in Poland
- Department Stores in Malta
- Department Stores in Croatia
- Department Stores in Slovenia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Department stores retail a wide range of general merchandise, including clothing, household appliances, toys, games, personal-care products and garden equipment. These stores typically organise merchandise into separate departments within a single location, providing customers with a one-stop shopping experience. Department stores may operate independently or as part of a retail chain.
Related Terms
FAST FASHIONRETAIL ANCHORE-TAILERSWhat's included in this industry?
Clothing and footwearAccessoriesHealth and beautyFood and beveragesHousehold items and furnitureGames and toysElectrical goodsCompanies
El Corte Inglés SAMarks and Spencer Group plcThe TJX Companies IncIndustry Code
4719 - Other retail sale in non-specialized stores in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Luxury tourism boosts European department stores, while the UK lags behind
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Department Stores in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Department Stores in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Department Stores in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Department Stores in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Department Stores in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Department Stores in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Department Stores in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Department Stores in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Younger shoppers abandon traditional department stores. Age greatly influences shopping preferences, with young adults shunning department stores in favour of alternative, budget-friendly alternatives like online shopping, renting items and fast-fashion outlets.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Department Stores in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Department Stores in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Department Stores in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Total Imports into Europe
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
High barriers to success ensure little in market concentration. Brand loyalty and image pose a significant challenge to new entrants. The vast majority of department stores date back to the early 1900s, so they’ve built up a strong brand following.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 11 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for El Corte Inglés SA
- Countries of operation for Marks and Spencer Group plc
- Countries of operation for The TJX Companies Inc
- Countries of operation for Central Group
- Countries of operation for John Lewis Partnership plc
- Countries of operation for Groupe Galeries Lafayette
- Countries of operation for Bennet SpA
- Countries of operation for Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof GmbH
- Countries of operation for Printemps SAS
- Countries of operation for Selfridges Retail Ltd
- Countries of operation for Ahlens AB
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Most of Europe has a light-touch approach to regulating department stores. Most legislation relating to department stores applies at a broader retail level (e.g. keeping supplier information) and is easy to comply with.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Department Stores in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Price competition threatens profit. Leading department stores face intense price competition as lower-cost retailers expand and consumer trends favour second-hand and rental markets, lowering profit.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Department Stores in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.
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France
Italy
Spain