De Bijenkorf has announced Sean Hill will take on the role of CEO starting 1 July 2025, marking a major leadership transition at one of the Netherlands’ most revered department stores. Known for his international experience at Central Group Europe, KaDeWe Group, and La Rinascente, Hill’s appointment signals a bold move towards experiential retail and real estate repositioning, an opportunity closely watched by investors and developers alike.
Hill, who has led redevelopment across multi-thousand m² retail environments in Germany and Italy, is expected to bring an investor-minded approach to De Bijenkorf’s prime urban assets. As part of the Selfridges Group, the brand is poised to evolve beyond traditional retail through enhanced in-store activations, stronger omnichannel infrastructure, and long-term lease strategies tailored to flagship city locations.
“The rich history and unique position of De Bijenkorf make this company a Dutch icon. I consider it a great honour to be able to continue building on the strong foundation that has been laid, and to further grow this exceptional company,” said Sean Hill.
Fluent in navigating European cultures and real estate frameworks, Hill is already taking intensive Dutch language classes in Vught to accelerate integration and leadership with local impact. His deep ties to the Chirathivat family, founders of Central Group, also bring strategic cross-border synergy that can influence the future of Dutch luxury retail.
“We are very enthusiastic about Sean’s arrival as CEO of De Bijenkorf. His experience and background make him the ideal person to further grow De Bijenkorf. Together with the board and management, he will continue to develop our stores and platforms into destinations for extraordinary experiences for our customers,” said André Maeder, CEO of Selfridges Group.
Hill replaces Matthijs Visch, who stepped down after six months for personal reasons, following the 23-year tenure of Giovanni Colauto. As De Bijenkorf eyes platform innovation and urban regeneration, Hill’s track record in repositioning legacy brands will be essential for navigating post-pandemic consumer trends and landlord negotiations in high-density zones.
People mentioned:
Sean Hill, CEO, De Bijenkorf
André Maeder, CEO, Selfridges Group
Matthijs Visch, former CEO, De Bijenkorf
Giovanni Colauto, former CEO, De Bijenkorf
Companies mentioned:
De Bijenkorf – Dutch department store chain
Central Group Europe – Retail and real estate owner
KaDeWe Group – German department store operator
La Rinascente – Italian premium department store chain
Selfridges Group – Owner of De Bijenkorf
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