Marilyn Repp

Out of the comfort zone, into the future! Retail expert Marilyn Repp is driving the industry forward. She accompanies companies into the digital future.

Marilyn Repp is regarded as one of the most important thought leaders in the German retail industry. She is a sought-after speaker, panellist and author of numerous columns. She analyses trends in terms of their future potential and asks the crucial question: Is this the future or can it go away?

„The future is a mindset. Sustainability means being open to change. And change is the only answer to an ever faster changing world.“

Marilyn Repp sends clear messages. In her presentations, she breaks down digital trends and transforms them into concrete to-do’s – underpinned by many good examples. Her positive energy on stage makes complex topics tangible and motivates people to get to grips with them.

Marilyn Repp Lecture topics

- The future of retail – 5 theories for tomorrow

An inspiring look at the most important trends that are changing brick-and-mortar and digital retail – from platform strategies to community-driven business models.

- Next Gen Commerce – How consumer behavior is changing and what to do now

Gen Z and Gen Alpha consume differently: they discover products through creators rather than advertising, expect attitude rather than gloss, and buy out of conviction, not habit. This presentation shows how consumer behavior is changing radically – and what brands, retailers, and companies need to do now to remain relevant.

- Community instead of target group – How brands create real connections

Why community building is more than social media: This presentation shows how companies grow through belonging, exchange, and trust.

- The courage to innovate – How to succeed in retail transformation

Practical examples are used to show how companies are breaking new ground, overcoming barriers to innovation, and creating real added value with digital transformation.

- Longevity & lifestyle – new target groups, new markets

A presentation on the growing market for health, longevity, and well-being – and how retailers and brands can already strategically occupy it today.

- Retail & tech – what's coming, what's staying?

An overview of relevant technologies in retail – from AI and self-checkout to immersive store concepts – and what really resonates with customers.

- How communities generate sales – from trust to transactions

Using concrete examples, this presentation explains how brands use communities to achieve customer loyalty, referral marketing, and increased sales.

- TikTok & TikTok Shop – Is this the future or can it go away?

TikTok is changing the way products are discovered, evaluated, and purchased – especially among Gen Z. But is there long-term potential for brands behind the hype? This presentation analyzes the opportunities and risks of TikTok Commerce, highlights best practices, and provides guidance for anyone considering whether to jump on board or opt out.

- Hey retail, what's next?

What comes after omnichannel, loyalty programs, and discount wars? In this presentation, we take a look at the next stage of retail development – data-driven personalization, retail media, community commerce, new store concepts, and a customer base that demands attitude. A wake-up call and a glimpse into the future.

- From search to discovery – how retail is changing

Google is yesterday's news – today, customers discover products via feeds, friends, and For You Pages. This presentation shows how consumer behavior has changed: from active search to passive inspiration.
If you want to stay relevant, you have to let people discover you – via communities, creators, content, and context.

- Brave new world of experience – How retail is reinventing itself

From functional point of sale to emotional stage: Retail is facing a paradigm shift. This presentation shows how stores today are becoming spaces for experiences, where brand worlds, community bonding, and technology intertwine – and why customers still make the trip to the city center for this.

- Retailtainment in the digital age – who is leading the way?

Between showroom, livestream, and pop-up experience: retailtainment has long been more than just a buzzword. Using international best practices, this presentation shows how retail today cleverly combines entertainment, content, and commerce – and which formats really work to increase reach, frequency, and sales.

Marilyn Repp was enthusiastic about entrepreneurship from an early age. She herself comes from a family of entrepreneurs and learnt about the ups and downs of self-employment.

At the age of 17, Marilyn ran for her first political office and later for a seat in the Bavarian state parliament. She was involved in various committees and election campaigns. After studying political science and history and spending time in New York, Bombay and Italy, she finally moved to Berlin, where she now lives with her husband and son.

For 10 years, she has been focussing on the digital transformation of companies, especially SMEs. In her presentations and impulses, she focusses on the future of retail.

Trends, innovations and technologies are her focus topics, as well as:

• Retail Innovation

• retail technology

• digitalisation

• Digital transformation

• SMEs

Marilyn Repp set up the SME Digital Centre for Retail at the German Retail Association (HDE). This centre, which supports and assists companies with digitalisation on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, is an important point of contact for SMEs. Marilyn Repp is also co-founder of the Retail Garage in Berlin, where she works as a corporate influencer and community builder.

With a degree in political science, she is passionate about the new and modern, as well as art, culture and cuisine. She loves sport and exercise, especially in the mountains. Her passions include yoga, running, cycling, swimming, skiing and hiking. Most important to her, however, is spending time with her family.