Consumption & Retail in Transition – How Markets, People and Brands Are Reinventing Themselves

One click is all it takes – and a product is purchased.
Yet behind this seemingly simple decision lies a complex interplay of emotion, price, trust, availability and social trends.

Consumption and retail are undergoing a profound transformation. Digitalisation, e-commerce, new technologies and shifting values are driving this transformation. At the same time, fundamental questions arise:

• How do people shop today – and why?
• What role do sustainability, inflation and global crises play?
• And how can businesses remain relevant in a world full of choice?

Our speakers on consumption and retail provide answers – drawing on business, research, technology and practical experience.

Purchasing decisions are rarely purely rational. They arise from the interplay of price awareness, brand trust, convenience and identification. At the same time, consumer behaviour is changing noticeably:

• Customers expect seamless omnichannel experiences
• Sustainability is increasingly becoming a purchasing criterion
• Brands must demonstrate their stance
• Speed and availability are crucial

Today, consumption is not merely an economic act – it is also an expression of values and lifestyle.

These keynote speakers and experts analyse the future of consumption and retail:

• Theresa Schleicher – Futurist specialising in retail and consumer trends. She analyses trends such as Next Retail, changing consumer behaviour and the future of shopping – always with an eye on societal developments.

• Jeremy Schwartz – Expert in retail, business and commerce. Former CEO and Managing Director of well-known consumer goods and retail companies such as Coca-Cola, L’Oréal, The Body Shop and Pandora.

• Carina Stöttner – Data expert and entrepreneur. She demonstrates how data analysis and artificial intelligence help to better understand customers and create personalised shopping experiences.

• Jan Berger – Futurist, founder and CEO of the think tank Themis Foresight. He discusses Europe’s economy in a new world order.

• Dr Josef Braml – Geopolitical expert specialising in global power shifts. He explains how political developments and international relations directly influence markets and consumer behaviour.

• Prof. Simon J. Evenett – Trade economist and expert in international economic policy. His analyses highlight how global supply chains, trade conflicts and regulation are reshaping trade.

• Prof. Alex Edmans – Professor of Finance and a thought leader in sustainable business. He demonstrates how long-term corporate success is linked to social responsibility.

• Beatrice Weder di Mauro – One of Europe’s leading economists. She analyses the impact of inflation, fiscal policy and global crises on consumption and purchasing power.

• Sharon Gai – E-commerce expert and former Alibaba manager. She offers in-depth insights into social commerce, the platform economy and the Chinese market – often a pioneer of global trends.

• Oliver Leisse – Trend researcher specialising in global consumer behaviour. He demonstrates how customer needs differ internationally – and yet are converging at the same time.

• Marilyn Repp – Retail expert and entrepreneur. She champions the future of brick-and-mortar retail and shows how experience, community and innovation are redefining the sector.

Retail in transition: From omnichannel to experience

The boundaries between online and offline are blurring. Successful companies today are focusing on:

• Omnichannel strategies
• Personalised offers through data analysis
• Social commerce and influencer-driven sales
• Experience-oriented brick-and-mortar retail
• Direct customer relationships rather than mere transactions

The retail of the future is not only efficient – but emotional, connected and personalised.

Sustainability vs. consumption – a contradiction?

Many consumers find themselves torn between the desire to buy and a sense of responsibility. Companies are responding with:

• sustainable products
• transparent communication
• new business models such as sharing or the circular economy

The big challenge: sustainability must be simple, affordable and credible.

Consumer behaviour is changing – and becoming more complex than ever

Consumer behaviour and retail are no longer static systems. They are shaped by technology, global developments and societal expectations.

Anyone who wants to be successful today must understand:

• how people make decisions
• how markets are changing
• and how brands create genuine relevance

At Premium Speakers, you will find the best speakers on the topics of consumption, retail and the future of markets – for talks that provide guidance and open up new perspectives: 1 (704) 804 1054 – welcome@premium-speakers.com