Gabriele Chung
CEO
Lotte Department Store, South Korea
Gabriele Chung leads one of South Korea's largest retail groups with holdings of around 50 luxury department stores, shopping malls, and outlet chains. In 2023, he was recognised as one of the 'Top 500 People Leading the World’s Fashion Industry 'from The BoF500. He started his career at Samsung Co. Ltd in December 1987 and transferred to Shinsegae Department Store as an assistant buyer in the women’s merchandising division. In 1993, he transitioned to Brand Manager at Shinsegae International. In 1999, Gabriele was appointed General Manager of the Shinsegae Milano office and served as the company’s representative in Europe. In 2010, he was appointed COO of Shinsegae International, where he led the launch of over 30 brands, including Moncler, Chrome Hearts, J. Lindberg, and BOONTHESHOP. In 2015, he transitioned to Emart as EVP of the Boots UK Business Department, expanding the company’s global retail initiatives. In 2019, Gabriele joined Lotte Group as the CEO of Lotte GFR (Global Fashion Retail), and after two years, in December 2021, he was appointed as CEO of Lotte Department Store. He is also expanding Lotte's footprint across Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam, having opened Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi in 2023. The following year, in 2024, he successfully launched exclusive Moroccan Luxury Coffee Brand 'Bacha' in South Korea for the first time, and a premium complex shopping mall, Time Villas Suwon, which is new growth engine for Lotte.