NIQ Business Breakfast 2026
NIQ Business Breakfast 2026
Retail Disruption in the AI Era: Industry leaders discuss how AI, social commerce, marketplaces and evolving consumer behavior are reshaping retail, customer journeys and future growth opportunities.
Presented by
Retail Disruption in the Age of AI, Platforms and Changing Consumer Behavior
As Germany’s Technical Consumer Goods (TCG) market faces continued pressure and slowing sales, the retail ecosystem is being reshaped faster than ever. Consumers are no longer discovering products exclusively through retailers, brand websites or search engines. Social commerce platforms such as TikTok Shop are redefining how products are presented and purchased, while Generative AI is transforming the purchase journey by influencing how consumers research, compare and select products.
This IFA panel brings together leading retailers and global brands to discuss how the industry can adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Topics include the rise of marketplaces, the growing influence of Asian commerce ecosystems, direct-to-consumer models, platform-agnostic shopping experiences, new market entrants and the growing importance of social and AI-driven commerce. Against a backdrop of cautious German consumers and declining TCG demand, the discussion will explore who owns the customer journey, how visibility is won in the AI era, and what successful collaboration between brands and retailers looks like moving forward.
The session will provide practical perspectives on navigating disruption while identifying the next growth opportunities in retail.
As Germany’s Technical Consumer Goods (TCG) market faces continued pressure and slowing sales, the retail ecosystem is being reshaped faster than ever. Consumers are no longer discovering products exclusively through retailers, brand websites or search engines. Social commerce platforms such as TikTok Shop are redefining how products are presented and purchased, while Generative AI is transforming the purchase journey by influencing how consumers research, compare and select products.
This IFA panel brings together leading retailers and global brands to discuss how the industry can adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Topics include the rise of marketplaces, the growing influence of Asian commerce ecosystems, direct-to-consumer models, platform-agnostic shopping experiences, new market entrants and the growing importance of social and AI-driven commerce. Against a backdrop of cautious German consumers and declining TCG demand, the discussion will explore who owns the customer journey, how visibility is won in the AI era, and what successful collaboration between brands and retailers looks like moving forward.
The session will provide practical perspectives on navigating disruption while identifying the next growth opportunities in retail.
The session will provide practical perspectives on navigating disruption while identifying the next growth opportunities in retail.
