How is Galeries Lafayette adapting its strategy in the US in the current economic environment?
We do put the emphasis in the store so that every salesperson is committed to customer and highly service oriented. The American level of expectation is really high (and even higher during rough periods) and we do have to be able to offer the best treatment to our American customer, which is very loyal to Galeries Lafayette (as more than 50% of American shopping at our store has been visiting us previously). So far this year our American performances are better than last year. The American customers love Paris, there are the first clientele visiting us and they still want to indulge a shopping treat in our store. The decrease of the price of petrol, the strength of dollar, and the recent election are helping us as the American is more prone to travel again. It is important to remind that any American customer who spends more than 175 Euros in one day in the store is getting 12% vat off on site and can get their money back on the very same day. • How much of your business is affected by
