FMCG Summit Belgrade addresses future of retail and consumer trends

The 13th FMCG Summit Belgrade, held at Sava Centar, gathered approximately 650 industry experts to discuss the future of fast-moving consumer goods, retail formats, and digital transformation. Key topics included the impact of inflation on market growth, the role of artificial intelligence in warehouse management, and the evolving relationship between manufacturers and retailers.

Sebastian Rennack, an international retail analyst from Germany’s Aletos Retail, highlighted three major trends shaping the industry: an aging population with reduced mobility, increasing urbanization, and smaller household sizes requiring more frequent, smaller purchases. Rennack noted that small-format neighborhood stores in Serbia can remain competitive by adapting to local needs and incorporating hospitality elements to counter the rise of food e-commerce.

Other discussions featured insights from Mastercard regarding consumer expectations for convenience, NielsenIQ on the distinction between real growth and inflationary effects, and Nelt Group on the digital transformation of distribution through mobile platforms.