The advisory board met in March 2025 at two locations in Cologne. The morning session took place at the EHI Retail Institute, a leading retail research institute specializing in technology and innovation trends. The afternoon session moved to GS1 Germany, the organization responsible for global standards in supply chain management and data exchange.

The morning program featured presentations on current retail developments, including challenges, opportunities, and best practice cases, followed by an overview of technology trends for 2025 from a CIO perspective. The session concluded with insights into the future of promotional communication and emerging marketing landscapes. After lunch at GS1, participants engaged in a hands-on metaverse workshop in GS1’s Metaverse Lab, followed by a discussion on metaverse opportunities for retail. The afternoon concluded with a presentation of a recent study on FMCGs in spatial commerce.