Printemps Group named Rémy Baume its new CEO on June 8, 2026, ending a nine-month leadership vacancy at the French luxury department store operator. Baume, the former chief executive of Zadig & Voltaire, takes immediate control of a group that runs 18 stores in France plus locations in Doha and New York. The appointment fills the seat left open since September 2025 and signals a sharp focus on the company’s U.S. expansion. This is the most significant Printemps Group new CEO 2026 development for a sector under heavy pressure.
Quick facts: Rémy Baume becomes CEO of Printemps effective June 8, 2026. He replaces Jean-Marc Bellaiche, who departed in September 2025. Baume previously led Zadig & Voltaire and Kidiliz Group. Printemps reports roughly $696.7M in projected annual revenue for 2026.
Appointment Effective Immediately
Baume’s appointment takes effect at once. It closes a nine-month gap that opened when Jean-Marc Bellaiche stepped down on September 15, 2025, after five years leading the group. Bellaiche left for personal reasons and became CEO of resort operator Sani/Ikos Group on January 1, 2026.
During the search, Printemps Group’s executive committee ran the company on an interim basis. The advisory board said it chose Baume for his “ability to combine strategic vision with operational excellence” and his “in-depth understanding of transformation, retail and branding.” For a group navigating real structural headwinds, that combination mattered more than ever.
Baume’s Career: From LVMH to Zadig & Voltaire
Rémy Baume brings a finance-heavy résumé to the role. He began his career at Morgan Stanley and McKinsey in the United States. In 2008, he joined LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton as director of investments.
From 2009 to 2013, he held strategy, transformation, and international non-food roles at Carrefour. He then ran Kidiliz Group from 2013 to 2020, a children’s fashion specialist producing under Kenzo, Paul Smith, and Levi’s licenses.
- 2020–2025: CEO of Zadig & Voltaire, where he drove digital transformation and brand growth.
- Early 2025: Left Zadig & Voltaire when the founding Gillier family resumed executive control.
- June 2026: Named CEO of Printemps Group.
I have watched plenty of executives cross from brand operator to multi-brand retailer. The ones who succeed read both the spreadsheet and the sales floor. Baume’s path suggests he can do both. His arrival also fits a broader wave of leadership changes, from Alexander McQueen’s new CEO to Lanvin’s CEO transition.
Printemps Group: Scale, Reach, and Finances
The group Baume inherits is large but strained. Groupe Printemps operates 18 department stores in France, plus Doha and New York. Its portfolio also includes Citadium, Place des Tendances, and Made In Design.
Annual revenue sits near $696.7M for 2026. Online sales reached roughly $16M in 2025 through printemps.com, with the company projecting a 5 to 10 percent digital increase this year. Printemps even accepts Bitcoin and Ethereum payments through a Binance and Lyzi partnership, a rare differentiator among legacy department stores.
The pressure is real, too. The group has planned 229 job cuts and confirmed the closure of its Rennes-Alma branch, citing “major upheaval in the apparel sector.” Those moves mirror wider retail strain, even as fast fashion holds firm. Compare that with Inditex’s Q1 2026 earnings and the contrast is stark.
Strategic Priorities: U.S. Expansion and Retail Reinvention
Baume’s clearest mandate is the United States. Printemps opened its 55,000-square-foot Wall Street flagship at One Wall Street in March 2025, carrying more than 450 brands and several NYC first-timers. The store runs on the Jesta IS Vision Suite retail technology platform and anchors the group’s American ambitions.
“Retail is reinventing itself, but essential drivers—novelty, pleasure, quality, hospitality—remain unchanged.” — Rémy Baume, CEO, Printemps Group
That flagship investment echoes other big retail bets, such as Zara’s London Bond Street flagship reopening. It also sits inside a tense competitive context. Western luxury department stores face structural headwinds across 2026, and Printemps is no exception.
Why the Appointment Matters
Baume takes over at a brutal moment for the format. Saks Global’s confirmed restructuring plan cut roughly 75 percent of its debt on June 5, 2026. Days of legacy retail certainty are gone, with Neiman Marcus closing its downtown Dallas flagship after 119 years.
Consolidation is reshaping the field as well, seen in G-III’s $500M Marc Jacobs acquisition and resale growth through Vestiaire Collective’s 14-market European expansion. Against that backdrop, naming a transformation-minded CEO is a clear bet on reinvention over retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Printemps Group CEO?
Rémy Baume, the former CEO of Zadig & Voltaire and Kidiliz Group, became CEO of Printemps Group effective June 8, 2026.
Why was the CEO seat vacant?
Jean-Marc Bellaiche stepped down on September 15, 2025, for personal reasons. He later became CEO of Sani/Ikos Group, leaving the seat open for nine months.
What is Printemps Group’s focus under Baume?
U.S. expansion and retail reinvention. The New York Wall Street flagship is the centerpiece of the group’s American growth strategy.
For more on the shifting balance of power in luxury retail, follow our ongoing coverage of fashion executive moves and department store strategy on FloraDress. Bookmark our Fashion News desk for verified updates as Baume’s first decisions take shape.
