Theresa Schleicher

Theresa Schleicher is one of the outstanding experts and thought leaders in the field of business and retail in Europe.

With her extensive experience as a former manager of the Hirschen Group and her background as a Data Scientist, she offers exclusive consulting services as a Retail Advisor for DAX corporations in Asia and Europe, including the VW Group and leading retail companies. She also plays a crucial role as a pioneer and advisor for the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection in the development of forward-looking retail strategies.

In her position as a leading expert on the future of trade, including at the renowned Zukunftsinstitut, Theresa Schleicher publishes annual forecasts for upcoming developments in the trade sector and presents them to the public.

As a keynote speaker and data scientist on stage, Theresa Schleicher provides fascinating insights into a sustainable, data-driven global economy. She also acts as an investor for innovative retail start-ups, focusing on economic resilience in fast-moving markets and the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence to promote more environmentally and economically sustainable trade.

Theresa Schleicher lecture topics

• The European Economy in 2040: A Positive Vision of the Future from Research

What our economy could look like based on six pillars of success, and the key questions that arise. Based on cutting-edge research (10 months, 7 institutes, 4 countries, 4 ministries, 10 CEOs, 1,000 consumers)

• Consumer Trends 2027/2028: Upcoming Demands for Fashion, Food Retail, DIY, Furniture, and More

What do people want to find on the shelves and racks, and which services will play a role in the coming years? Gain insights from the pioneers now.

• Agentic AI 2040: the real innovations of the next 10 years

The hype is huge. But which developments in AI agents, robotics, and enterprise AI are genuinely advanced? Fresh from research, with renowned AI and robotics scientists and CIOs of major companies looking to move Europe forward.

• Why do Gen Z customers crave oysters in a crisis?

How major luxury brands and retailers must adapt to generations defined by years of frugality—generations that cut back on streaming subscriptions while sipping champagne.

• Sustainability 3.0: the real solutions for retail are only just beginning

Only those who understand what is possible can create real solutions. The fascinating developments in retail — from better materials to the markets that will dominate the future.

• Growth in the city center by 2035? What do the concepts for the future look like?

What specific approaches and innovations are needed to revitalize Europe’s city centers? A visionary yet concrete look into the future.

• Made in Germany 3.0

The global economy is changing. How can German brands become “cool” again? Insights from trips to Germany, China, and India.

• AI: Economic Driver or Energy Drain?

Theresa Schleicher is one of the most renowned experts on the future of retail.

Since 2015, Theresa Schleicher has published the most defining retail trends annually in the Zukunftsinstitut’s Retail Report, whose findings are regularly published in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, WELT, Spiegel, ZEIT and Handelsblatt.

She has been a jury member of many retail innovation awards since 2015 and is a driver of new inner city concepts with retailers, politicians, associations and urban developers.

Theresa Schleicher works as a retail advisor with the leading groups in Germany to shape the retail landscape. In addition to retail companies, this includes retail-driven corporations such as brands of the VW Group. She is a former strategy director and manager in the Hirschen Group, the 3rd largest creative and consulting network in Germany.

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