The DOUGLAS Group, Europe's leading premium beauty retailer, announced a significant leadership change on October 14, 2026, with Jean-Marc Bellaiche appointed as the 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 company. The appointment, made by the Supervisory Board of Douglas AG, is for a four-year term. This transition is important because it comes at a pivotal moment for the beauty industry, as companies navigate rapid digital transformation and shifting consumer expectations. Bellaiche's extensive experience in luxury and retail is expected to steer the Group through these challenges while building on its omnichannel strengths.
Dr. Henning Kreke, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, emphasized the careful preparation behind the change. "This important change in the leadership at the top of the company has been prepared very thoughtfully and carefully, ensuring a smooth and professional transition," he said. He expressed regret over van der Laan's decision to retire but respected his choice after a long and successful career. Kreke highlighted van der Laan's pivotal role in the Group's development, noting that the DOUGLAS Group loses an outstanding leader and highly experienced retail executive. At the same time, he welcomed Bellaiche, citing his strong track record in international retail and luxury, including beauty, premium department stores, digital transformation, brand building, and strategy. Kreke expressed confidence that Bellaiche will build on progress and focus even more on customer-centricity, beauty brand partnerships, and operational excellence.
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 then 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 during his five-year mandate he strengthened the department store chain's distinctiveness and customer-centricity, introduced more exclusivities, accelerated international and omnichannel development, and improved operating profitability. Most recently, he served as CEO of the luxury resort operator Sani/Ikos Group.
"I would like to thank the Supervisory Board of the Douglas AG for the confidence it has placed in me," Bellaiche said. "I am particularly excited to join the Group at such an important moment in the evolution of the beauty industry. The DOUGLAS Group plays a leading role in the European premium beauty market and has a manifold of unique assets, including an outstanding omnichannel footprint, a large base of loyal customers, and an attractive assortment based on close relationships with beauty brands. I look forward to building on these strengths together with the management team and all my colleagues across 22 European countries, while driving the innovations and changes needed to succeed in a rapidly changing market environment."
Van der Laan reflected on his tenure: "I am incredibly grateful for my time at the DOUGLAS Group. I have met many inspiring people, learned a great deal about premium beauty, and, together with around 20,000 colleagues, we have made significant progress. The decision to step down was not an easy one for me. But after a 36-year career, including senior leadership roles at highly respected retail companies in Europe and the United States, I feel that the time is right to retire from executive management. This is the right moment to hand over the reins to someone who can bring fresh thinking and new ideas."
Van der Laan joined the DOUGLAS Group in October 2022 and drove its transformation into a true omnichannel business. Key achievements include a new category and exclusive-brands strategy, a comprehensive update of the store-format and network strategy, 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 stock exchange. He also introduced the purpose 'Make life more beautiful'.
Dr. Kreke thanked van der Laan for his outstanding achievements and wished him well. He also wished Bellaiche a successful start and looked forward to working with him as he leads the company together with CFO Marco Giorgetta, the management team, and all employees into the next phase of development. The DOUGLAS Group, with its commercial brands DOUGLAS, NOCIBE, Parfumdreams, and Niche Beauty, operates around 1,970 stores and generated sales of 4.58 billion euros in the financial year 2024/2025, employing more than 19,900 people across Europe. For further information, visit the DOUGLAS Group Website. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
