Department store closure: Jelmoli’s former boss becomes CEO of Lalique

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Müller was in charge of Jelmoli from 2020 until the end of April 2023. He started there with the aim of making the traditional department store more sustainable, among other things. However, despite the excitement of the new boss, it was announced last spring that Jelmoli would close its doors at the end of 2024.

This is because Swiss Prime Site (SPS), which owns the real estate group, does not want to take responsibility for the retail business in the future, but has not been able to find a buyer for it. After the renovation, the building will no longer be used entirely as a department store, but for mixed use. In other words, the shopping area will be much smaller and offices will be built on the upper floors. For Jelmoli, this means the end. When the closure was announced, Müller resigned as boss at his own request.

Before joining Jelmoli, Müller worked at watch and jewelery retailer Christ and crystal company Swarovski. Accordingly, according to Lalique’s notification, the 54-year-old Austrian has extensive management experience in the consumer and luxury goods sectors.

He takes over his new role from Roger von der Weid, who joined the Lalique Group in 2006 as CEO and Board Delegate. In the future, he will take on an expanded strategic role as vice chairman of the board.

According to Chairman of the Board of Directors Silvio Denz, as the business has grown in recent years, the size and complexity of the Lalique Group has also increased significantly. This will now be taken into account in personnel decisions.

Lalique is a Swiss-listed luxury goods company founded in 1962 by French glass artist René Lalique. It specializes in perfumes, jewelery and glass objects. The main shareholder and chairman of the board is the well-known Swiss entrepreneur Silvio Denz. (SDA)

Source :Blick