E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026 – Day 1 recap: Insights, innovation, impact
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See what happened at the Day 1 of E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026!
The doors swung open, the stages came alive, and thousands of e-commerce professionals poured into Messe Berlin for Day 1 of E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026. With hundreds of exhibitors, buzzing stages, and nonstop networking, the day was packed with bold ideas, lively debates, and future-focused strategies. Here’s a recap of Day 1 and a glimpse as to what to expect at Day 2.
A strong opening that sparked the momentum
The event was officially opened by Dirk Hoffmann, COO at Messe Berlin & the opening speech was given by Marcus Diekmann, Chief Strategy, Digital & eCommerce Officer at Sanicare who explained why e-commerce companies must now become AI-first or risk disappearing. This opening not only marked a new chapter in our history, but also kicked off an extraordinary edition full of inspiration, innovation and exciting insights into the future of e-commerce.
Best exhibitors from the e-commerce world
The day was full of impactful talks between our visitors and exhibitors, new collaborations, contacts and common growth opportunities. Among them you can find big names like eBay, JTL-Software, Sage, Stripe, Shopware, Brevo, Klaviyo, Kaufland e-commerce, Adyen and more!
Don’t miss the chance to see the latest innovations from the world of e-commerce and visit their booths while you still can!
Industry leaders shaped the 1st Day agenda
Several globally recognized brands took the stage on Day 1, sharing bold forecasts, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies for staying ahead of the curve. They included (among others):
- ROXANNE VAN DUIJN, Google • Retail Media Lead Germany in panel about retail media, discussing what remains the hype in this sphere in 2026
- MO SHIHA, Zalando • AI & Data Analytics Team Lead shared with us how AI agents are transforming decision making
- BASTIAN SIEBERS, flaconi • Geschäftsführer & CEO taught participants about the power of wecommerce
- PAUL GEBEL, DOUGLAS • Senior E-Commerce Performance Manager who talked about DOUGLAS’ solution for group-wide holistic business steering, combining data & experience for an optimized marketing mix
- DR. TIMO CHRISTOPHERSEN, OTTO • Chief AI Officer shared his insights in panel about using AI effectively in retail
Attendees went beyond theory, gaining practical strategies to scale their businesses and build seamless digital experiences that deliver real results.
Agentic commerce took the lead
This day was packed with reflections and inspirations regarding AI agents!
Beyond Mo Shiha from Zalando, a range of engaging talks also dove into this topic, such as:
- EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES IM AGENTIC COMMERCE: WIE KI KAUFENTSCHEIDUNGEN NEU DEFINIERT – talk given by Jörg Hirt, Chief Innovation Manager at REWE Digital & Kristina Häusler, Executive Strategy Director at SYZYGY
- AI AGENTS: COOL DEMOS VS REAL REVENUE – WHAT WESTERN E-COMMERCE CAN LEARN FROM CHINA’S NO-BULLSHIT APPROACH – talk given by Talk given by Björn Ognibeni, Practical Visionary and Co-founder of ChinaBriefs.io & XRLab@MCM
- THE GREAT DIVIDE: HOW AGENTIC COMMERCE IS REDRAWING THE EUROPEAN MARKETPLACE MAP – talk given by Ingrid Lommer, Co-founder of Marketplace Universe
- FROM SEO TO SURVIVAL: RETAIL VISIBILITY IN THE AGE OF AI COMMERCE – talk given by Dara Kossok-Spiess, Head of Internet Policy and Cathrin M. Daniel, Internet Policy and Digitization at German Retail Federation (HDE)
- HYPER-PERSONALIZED SHOPPING AGENTS – THE GAMECHANGER FOR SUCCESSFUL E-COMMERCE – talk given by Dr. Ralph Hünermann, Founder & CEO of Odoscope
Panels that left an impression
Real talk, real insights – this year’s panels confronted e-commerce’s biggest topics without holding back.
Retail Media Check 2026: Was bleibt vom Hype? Antworten aus dem E-Commerce-Ökosystem, joined by SARAH OSTKAMP, The Magnum Ice Cream Company • Digital Commerce Business Lead & CARINA MÜLLER, Mediaplus • General Manager Commerce & ROXANNE VAN DUIJN, Google • Retail Media Lead Germany & DÉSIRÉE MAI, Cyberport • Retail Media & Customer Insights Lead
This panel examined current developments and future perspectives of retail media for 2026.
Automotive eCommerce: Experience- und Conversion-Treiber oder echter Vertriebskanal?, joined by LARS BUCHWALD, Quantineers • Gründer & CEO (ex-Porsche, ex-Volkswagen Group) & ALEXANDER KATZNER, diva-e • Director Business Development Automotive & PIA SCHÖRNER, BMW • Head of BMW M Product and Driving Experience & TIMO BRÜCKEL, Team One Developers • Founding Partner & CEO
Here e-commerce experts examined the role of automotive eCommerce from three complementary perspectives: operational sales management, digital product and brand experiences, and strategic best-practice approaches from the automotive and global consumer business.
Vom Mitdenken zum Mitmachen: KI wirksam im Handel einsetzen, joined by DR. TIMO CHRISTOPHERSEN, OTTO • Chief AI Officer & JULIANE KAPPEL, HelloFresh DACH • CEO & MARCUS DIEKMANN, Sanicare • Chief Strategy, Digital & eCommerce Officer & PAUL KRAUSS, Team One Developers • Partner AI
The panel provided an honest look at how companies can leverage AI to achieve more today, pragmatically and with a future-oriented perspective.
Last but not least – Too Global. Too Different. Too Honest. Die neue Realität moderner Führung, joined by YALCIN DÖNER, Marvya • CEO & FREDERIKE KNOP, CHRONEXT & Fashionette • ex-CEO & ARTUR WAGNER, BRAUN BÜFFEL • Chief Digital Officer
This session brought together C-level leaders and founders with non-traditional, global career paths, sharing how being “too different” has become their greatest advantage. Attendees gained candid insights, hard-earned lessons (including failures), and real leadership takeaways you won’t find in any MBA textbook.
FIRST MASTERCLASSES
For those hungry for hands-on growth, Day 1’s Masterclasses delivered high-impact, no-fluff sessions packed with actionable tactics. Brands like Sage, Brevo, Kaufland Global Marketplace and minubo shared proven playbooks in intimate deep dives – empowering attendees to turn insights into immediate action. And the momentum continues, with Masterclasses rolling on into Day 2.
FEELING LEFT OUT?
There’s no need to be! Day 2 is ahead of us, make sure to come and let yourself be amazed by insightful talks & innovative e-commerce solutions. We’re waiting for you on 18th of February, Messe Berlin, 09:00 AM sharp.
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