News
Dubai: LVMH and SKEMA strengthen luxury education with new retail track
The worlds of luxury and higher education converge in a new strategic partnership between SKEMA Business School and global luxury leader LVMH. This collaboration strengthens SKEMA’s MSc in Global Luxury and Management with the launch of a new track, Retail Excellence & Client Relationship Management, taught entirely in English and based at the school’s new campus in Dubai — a rising global hub for luxury education and retail innovation.
The MSc in Global Luxury and Management now offers two distinct pathways tailored to industry needs:
- Retail Excellence & Client Relationship Management — Developed with LVMH and delivered entirely in Dubai, this new track immerses students in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic luxury markets. The curriculum focuses on client engagement, sales excellence, and the use of artificial intelligence in customer experience.
- Luxury Digital Marketing & Strategy — Offered since 2021 in partnership with the NYU School of Professional Studies, this track combines a semester in New York with a second in Paris, awarding a Graduate Certificate from NYU in addition to SKEMA’s degree.
A strategic alliance to shape future luxury leaders
Signed on 20 March 2025 by SKEMA Dean and Executive President Alice Guilhon and Pierre-Julien Bousquet, Global VP Talent Engagement at LVMH, this partnership marks a shared commitment to developing top-tier talent for the luxury industry. The Retail Excellence track will launch in September 2025 at SKEMA’s Dubai campus.
“Dubai provides an ideal environment to anticipate trends and meet the demands of a rapidly growing market. In this context, SKEMA and LVMH are creating an innovative programme that will develop true experts in client relationship management and retail, an area of high demand,” said Alice Guilhon and Emmanuelle Rigaud, Director of the MSc in Global Luxury and Management.
Academic excellence meets hands-on industry immersion
Designed for future luxury professionals, the one-year Retail Excellence track blends academic rigour with immersive real-world learning. LVMH professionals will lead lectures and masterclasses in key areas:
- Luxury e-commerce and retail strategy
- Sales performance management
- Customer experience and UX design
- Merchandising and brand activation
Artificial intelligence for in-store engagement
Students will also attend panel discussions, learn from industry leaders, and visit flagship LVMH boutiques in Dubai, gaining first-hand insights into luxury retail operations.
A launchpad for global careers in luxury
Alongside SKEMA’s core courses, students will follow a bespoke training programme co-designed with LVMH. On completion, they will earn an exclusive Retail Excellence & Client Relationship Management certificate from LVMH.
The structure of the programme includes:
- Semester 1: Industry-led immersion in Dubai
- Semester 2: Academic coursework at SKEMA
- 4–8 month internship: Practical experience in the luxury sector
“With SKEMA, LVMH reaffirms its commitment to luxury retail and shaping the talents of tomorrow through a training programme rooted in excellence,” said Pierre-Julien Bousquet. “This partnership reflects our dedication to supporting the next generation and passing on the unique expertise that defines our Maison.”
Dubai: a luxury capital on the rise
According to research by Mordor Intelligence, the UAE luxury market is expected to reach $5.39 billion by 2029. Dubai alone accounts for 30% of luxury sales in the Middle East, positioning it as a key market for high-end retail and innovation.
Millennials and Gen Z: redefining the luxury experience
With over half the Gulf’s population under 30, younger generations are driving growth. By 2025, Millennials and Gen Z will represent more than 40% of luxury consumers. Brands are adapting their marketing and recruitment strategies to attract this connected, experience-driven audience — and programmes like SKEMA’s are building the talent to lead this change.
