Düsseldorf as a Laboratory for the Future of Retail
February 2, 2026
Düsseldorf has been a benchmark for those who take retail seriously for years. The city combines strong retail formats with a high density of innovation and increasingly serves as a testing ground for new concepts. During a two-day retail tour, Düsseldorf therefore takes center stage as a living laboratory for the future of the sector.
The focus extends beyond what is visible to customers and addresses what happens behind the scenes.
Behind the Scenes at Kaufhof
A fixed element of the program is an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to Kaufhof. Department stores face mounting pressure, which forces them to fundamentally rethink their operations. During this visit, participants gain insight into how Kaufhof approaches space utilization, assortment strategy, logistics, and organizational structure within a rapidly changing retail environment.
The visit demonstrates how traditional retail is attempting to reinvent itself, with a focus on efficiency, experience, and relevance in the city center.
Rewe and the Role of AI on the Shop Floor
In Düsseldorf, innovation also becomes tangible on the shop floor itself. Supermarket chain Rewe recently introduced an AI-powered robot at its Düsseldorf-Heerdt location that prepares fresh meals on site. Customers order and pay via a digital terminal, after which the robot prepares the dish live. Within minutes, a freshly made meal is ready.
According to manufacturer Circus, this initiative goes beyond a technological experiment. The autonomous systems combine robotics, artificial intelligence, and food-safe hygiene technology. Sensors continuously monitor temperature, processes, and inventory levels, while the system automatically documents HACCP compliance. AI-driven demand forecasting helps align supply with demand and reduces food waste.
The menu consists of internationally inspired dishes such as pastas, soups, curries, and desserts. Thanks to its modular structure, the offering can easily adapt to seasons and customer preferences. Entry-level prices start at 3.5 euros, aiming to deliver high quality at a competitive price.
Visit to the Largest Edeka in Germany
In addition to Rewe, Edeka also features on the program. The retail tour includes a visit to the largest Edeka supermarket in Germany. This store serves as a reference point within the sector and demonstrates how scale, assortment, and customer experience converge.
The focus goes beyond sheer size. The store illustrates how foodservice, fresh presentation, technology, and logistics integrate into one coherent retail concept. The visit provides concrete insights into how a full-service supermarket is designed and managed today.
EuroShop: Day Two Fully Dedicated to Innovation
On the second day, the focus shifts to EuroShop, the largest and most influential retail trade fair in the world. The event brings together everything that drives retail forward: store design, visual merchandising, retail technology, artificial intelligence, automation, sustainability, and omnichannel solutions.
Participants follow a carefully curated route past the most relevant innovations and new developments. Instead of wandering aimlessly through endless exhibition halls, they encounter a targeted selection of concepts and solutions that matter for today’s and tomorrow’s retail practice.
From Inspiration to Actionable Insights
What distinguishes this two-day program in Düsseldorf is the combination of trade fair insights and real-world examples. From the repositioning of a traditional department store, to AI-driven food solutions in supermarkets, to the latest innovations at EuroShop.
Düsseldorf demonstrates that the future of retail is not a theoretical concept. It is already unfolding today, both on the shop floor and behind the scenes.
The Buzz Düsseldorf: a two-day retail tour to Düsseldorf including a visit to EuroShop 2026. Discover the latest retail trends, innovation, store design, and customer experience together with a select group of professionals.
