Read on FashionNetwork.comGaleries Lafayette Appoints Harold Israel as Director of Specialised Activities
French department store giant Galeries Lafayette has announced the appointment of Harold Israel as Director of Specialised Activities, a newly created executive position. The luxury industry veteran brings three decades of experience from prestigious brands including Berluti, Cartier, A.P.C., and Marc Jacobs. Israel will oversee the company's own-brand business, e-commerce commercial operations, and drive growth in the watches & jewellery category, reporting directly to CEO Arthur Lemoine.
French department store group Galeries Lafayette has strengthened its executive leadership with the appointment of Harold Israel as Director of Specialised Activities, a newly created role within the company's organizational structure. The announcement, made on November 6, 2025, marks a strategic move by the retail giant to enhance its omnichannel strategy and modernize its product offerings.
Executive Background and Experience
Harold Israel brings an impressive three decades of luxury industry expertise to his new position at Galeries Lafayette. His most recent role was as Vice President at Berluti, where he served since 2019 with responsibilities spanning brand image, communications, product development, and customer functions. Israel originally joined the luxury house in 2015, demonstrating his long-term commitment to the premium fashion sector.
Israel's career began at Cartier in the United States before he returned to France to take on increasingly senior leadership positions. His executive experience includes serving as CEO or deputy CEO for several prominent fashion brands, including Et Vous and A.P.C. During the early 2010s, he held the position of Managing Director for Marc Jacobs across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, showcasing his international business acumen and regional market expertise.
Strategic Role Responsibilities
In his new capacity as Director of Specialised Activities, Israel will report directly to Arthur Lemoine, Chief Executive of Galeries Lafayette. His portfolio includes three critical areas of the business: overseeing Galeries Lafayette's own-brand business operations, managing commercial activities for the company's e-commerce platform, and driving growth within the watches and jewellery category.
The creation of this specialized division within the executive committee represents what CEO Arthur Lemoine described in a press release as "an important step in the evolution of our omnichannel strategy and in the modernisation of our offering." Lemoine emphasized that Israel's international outlook, global vision, and deep industry knowledge would be valuable assets in achieving the company's strategic ambitions.
Company Context and Market Position
Galeries Lafayette operates an extensive retail network that includes 50 stores across France, comprising 19 directly operated locations and 31 franchised outlets. The company's international presence extends to eleven stores globally, with additional locations in development. Beyond its physical retail footprint, Galeries Lafayette maintains a robust e-commerce platform and operates Galeries Lafayette L'Outlet, providing multiple channels for customer engagement.
The appointment of Israel signals Galeries Lafayette's commitment to strengthening its position in the competitive luxury retail market. By bringing in an executive with extensive experience across multiple luxury categories and international markets, the company aims to enhance customer experiences while leveraging the distinctiveness of its brand identity in an increasingly digital retail landscape.
