The DOUGLAS Group, Europe's leading premium beauty retailer, will undergo a leadership transition as Jean-Marc Bellaiche becomes Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2026. The Supervisory Board of Douglas AG appointed Bellaiche for a four-year term, succeeding Sander van der Laan, who has decided to retire after a 36-year career in international retail, including four years with the company. The announcement was made via NEWMEDIAWIRE.
Dr. Henning Kreke, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, emphasized the careful planning 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 praised van der Laan's contributions, noting that the Group "loses an outstanding leader and highly experienced retail executive who has played a pivotal role in the successful development of the Group."
Bellaiche brings extensive experience in international retail and luxury. He began his career at Boston Consulting Group in 1993, eventually leading its Luxury, Fashion and Beauty sector. He later served as Senior Vice President at Tiffany & Co. and held leadership roles at technology companies Contentsquare and Arianee. As CEO of Printemps Group from 2020, he strengthened the French department store's customer-centricity and omnichannel development. Most recently, he was CEO of luxury resort operator Sani/Ikos Group.
"I am particularly excited to join the Group at such an important moment in the evolution of the beauty industry," Bellaiche said. "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." He added that he looks forward to building on these strengths across 22 European countries.
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." He noted that after a long career, "the time is right to retire from executive management."
During his leadership, van der Laan drove the company's transformation into a true omnichannel business, implementing a new category and exclusive-brands strategy, updating store formats, reorganizing supply chains, and advancing digital platforms. He also introduced the purpose 'Make life more beautiful' and oversaw the company's stock exchange listing in 2024.
The DOUGLAS Group operates commercial brands DOUGLAS, NOCIBE, Parfumdreams, and Niche Beauty, with around 1,970 stores and a strong online presence. In the financial year 2024/2025, it generated sales of 4.58 billion euros and employed more than 19,900 people across Europe. Douglas AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
For more information, visit the DOUGLAS Group Website.
This leadership change could signal a renewed focus on innovation and customer experience in the competitive beauty retail sector. Bellaiche's background in luxury and digital transformation may accelerate the Group's omnichannel strategy and brand partnerships, impacting the broader European retail landscape.
