Douglas Group, one of Europe’s leading premium omnichannel beauty retailers, has named Jean-Marc Bellaiche CEO as the retailer faces pressure to turn sales growth into stronger profits. With more than 1,970 physical stores and a robust online presence, the retail giant had a tough 2024/25 fiscal year, with profitability coming under pressure.
Founded in Hamburg in 1821 as a soap factory, the company has evolved into a group of major beauty destinations across 22 European countries and serves as a key launch and retail partner for beauty brands to expand across the region. Its assortment spans prestige and luxury brands as well as its own brands, including Nocibé Artiste.
While revenue continued to grow, rising costs and shifts in category mix affected its earnings, creating a challenging next phase for the company. Against this backdrop, the Douglas Group is making way for a leadership transition. Sander van der Laan, who led the company for four years, retired as CEO. Jean-Marc Bellaiche will succeed him, effective November 1, for a four-year term. Bellaiche was CEO of French luxury Printemps Group from 2020 to 2025.
“We truly regret Sander van der Laan’s decision to retire, while fully respecting his choice after a long and successful career,” said Dr. Henning Kreke, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Douglas AG, in a press release. “With his departure, the Douglas Group loses an outstanding leader and highly experienced retail executive who has played a pivotal role in the successful development of the Group.”
During his time as CEO, van der Laan helped transform the Douglas Group into an integrated omnichannel business. He introduced strategic, operational, and structural improvements, including updated store formats and network strategies, and created a dedicated exclusive-brands strategy. He also reorganized the company’s supply chain and oversaw a comprehensive ESG strategy.
Van der Laan also led the company when the Douglas Group listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2024 after nine years under the ownership of CVC Capital Partners. The IPO got off to a rocky start, with shares falling more than 12% on their first day of trading. Sales reached €4.58 billion in FY2024/25, but growth came with weaker operating profitability: adjusted EBITDA declined 5% as its margin narrowed to 16.8%
Kreke expressed confidence in the incoming CEO, describing Bellaiche as a “highly experienced executive in international retail and luxury, with a strong track record across beauty, premium department stores, digital transformation, brand building, and strategy. We are convinced that he will build on the progress already made and put even more focus on customer-centricity, beauty brand partnerships, and operational excellence.”
Bellaiche’s extensive leadership experience spans consulting, beauty, and luxury retail. Prior to Printemps Group, he served as Managing Director and Global Leader of the Luxury, Fashion, and Beauty sector at Boston Consulting Group before joining Tiffany & Co. as Senior Vice President. Most recently, he served as CEO of luxury resort operator Sani/Ikos Group.
“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 said in a statement. “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.”
