Galeries Lafayette readies for second China launch

Weber Shandwick China has bagged the communications business for French high-fashion department store Galeries Lafayette's, ahead of its second attempt at cracking China's retail market.The new store in Beijing, set to open next month, marks Lafayette's second attempt in to the China market after its first attempt in 1997 shut down a year later.This time around, the international department store will team up with Hong Kong department store I.T. to bring high-end fashion to Chinese consumers.Effective immediately, the year-long contract will see Weber Shandwick provide a full range of services to Galeries Lafayette, including media relations, engagement with key opinion leader and stakeholder engagement and social media communications.The PR firm said a grand launch in October will be its first project for the department store, which will be attended by the Global CEO from Galeries Lafayette and I.T group.Weber won the business following an open pitch that involved five international and local agencies.