Ms. Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman of The Mall Group, has made a name for herself and for Thailand as one of the 2024 honoraries to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the World Retail Congress. The honour is for entrepreneurs who have founded and led their companies to significant achievements, renowned reputation, and international recognitions in the retail world. The awarding and induction ceremony was held in Paris, France.
The World Retail Congress had made their announcement on the list of honouraries who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame 2024 and presented the honour at the Hôtel Lutetia, Paris, France. The list included retail leaders who have unique qualities and stood out amongst other retail leaders from around the world. They are also outstanding retailers who have created or helped built magnificent achievements for their retail business in the past year, either through transformation or creating new iconic splendour for their respective companies and countries, or contributing to the general success of the retail industry.
This year, the three inductees chosen, representing the leading international retail businesses from different continents, included:
- Hall of Fame of Asia Pacific: Ms. Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman of The Mall Group and Subsidiaries
- Hall of Fame of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA): Mr. Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman, L’Oréal
- Hall of Fame of the Americas: Mr. Jay L. Schottenstein, Executive Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
In receiving this honour, Ms. Supaluck Umpujh had been nominated by the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DEPARTMENT STORES (IADS) for the World Retail Congress to consider inducting her into the Hall of Fame and receiving the honour to represent Asia Pacific in the Hall of Fame 2024. Their nomination was in recognition of her lifetime achievement as a founder and leader of her company, who has accomplished many great and unique retail successes well-known to the world.
The World Retail Hall of Fame was created in 2007 to recognise the lifetime achievements of the true legends of the retail world, the pioneers and entrepreneurs who have founded and led modern retailing’s greatest companies and brands. Other noteworthy and renowned entrepreneurs who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in previous years includes Jack Ma founder of Alibaba Group, Mr. Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA, Mr. Tadashi Yanai, founder of Uniqlo, and others.
As for Ms. Supaluck Umpujh’s background, she graduated from Mahidol University with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy with first-class honours. Ms. Supaluck then pursued her master’s degree at Purdue University, USA, in Pharmaceutical Engineering, only to embark on her career in the retail business at the tender age of 23. She was dubbed “The Iron Butterfly of Thai Retailing” by Fortune Magazine by the age of 30.
Over four decades, Ms. Supaluck Umpujh has shown great leadership, creativity, and continuous dedication to the development of the retail industry in Thailand. She has received many awards and recognitions, both locally and internationally. These recognitions include: Mahidolthayakorn, or MUAA Award, from Mahidol alumni; “Excellent Management” from Thai Retailer Association; “Person of The Year” from Thailand Tatler; “Outstanding Business & Professional Women Leaders” and “Outstanding ASEAN Women Entrepreneur Award” from The Federation of Business and Professional Women of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen; and The Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World from The Star Group. She was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour at the rank of Knight by decree of the President of the French Republic in 2021. Ms. Supaluck Umpujh is considered one of Thailand’s most successful entrepreneurs, who is renowned and has brought fame to Thailand in the retail world.
