Since 2023, McQueen has closed eight shop-in-shops within Paris’ major department stores during a period of creative transition following Seán McGirr’s appointment as creative director. These closures, which began in July 2023, are part of a strategic focus on McQueen’s flagship store on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, which recently underwent a major expansion. While McQueen has been expanding its standalone stores globally, its scaling back in Paris department stores has caused uncertainty among employees, leading to a reduction in staff. McQueen has not disclosed whether this strategy will be applied in other markets, as Kering faces broader financial challenges, including an 11% drop in sales in the first half of 2024.