What keeps the Markant Group moving
Dominik Scheid, Managing Director of Markant AG, and the two Managing Directors of Markant Syntrade Schweiz AG, Jos Lanen and Patrick Scheurwater, spoke to Daniela Lager about the latest developments in the Markant Group.
«Burying our heads in the sand was never an option for me or the industry», Scheid emphasised with great enthusiasm. Success is not a coincidence, but the result of commitment and performance. And Scheid had a number of successes to report: three percent international growth, new partnerships, close cooperation with industry and retail, and new services. «We believe that sustainable cooperation and then sustainable progress are created in line with our values», said Scheid. The broad service portfolio makes life much easier for small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby promoting competition. This also benefits the end consumer, whose main concern at present is their own economic situation.
The managing director also highlighted the next milestones, including the launch of the new digital Markant Marketplace at the end of November. The existing markant.net will be integrated into the Markant platform, making all services available in one central space in future. Scheid recalled the founding of Retail AI, which means Markant is attaching even greater importance to the field of artificial intelligence. Patrick Scheurwater looked ahead to a conference with the Federal Office (BACS) on 16 June on the topic of cyber security.
For Jos Lanen, the 15th Markant Information Day in Lucerne was a special one – namely, his last in the role of managing director. After 17 years at the helm of Markant Syntrade, Lanen will retire in 2026. They had been fulfilling, wonderful, intense and challenging years, he said, expressing his gratitude to the team. It was the personal contacts that he had always particularly appreciated. He then handed over the baton to his successor, Patrick Scheurwater.
Swiss consumer behaviour
Despite some uncertainties, consumption in the FMCG sector in Switzerland is growing. Consumers are becoming more price-conscious and are shopping more frequently, but buying less per purchase. These developments were presented by Silke Volejnik, Retail Lead Switzerland at Nielsen IQ.
The FMCG retail is in good shape: Volejnik expects sales of CHF 34 billion in 2025, which corresponds to an increase of 1.8 percent compared to the previous year. Despite price reductions, there was even a 2.7 percent increase in sales in the food/near-food sector in the first half of the year. «This is very good news for everyone here in this room», said the expert. Nevertheless, it is noticeable that consumers are concerned about their economic situation and are shopping more carefully. All of this is important information for designing product ranges, prices and shop layouts.
A good own-brand strategy and attractive promotions are essential, for example. «We are seeing that consumers are increasingly waiting for and responding to these promotions», explained Volejnik. Although there are also categories in which consumers are willing to spend more money – she mentioned sustainability and longevity as keywords – price is still a factor everywhere.
What Generation Z has to offer
Yaël Meier not only explained how differences between generations arise. The co-founder of the consulting firm ZEAM also succeeded in dispelling prejudices and illustrating why it is worthwhile to take young people seriously as a target group.
Using the example of 9/11, she demonstrated how the respective life context shapes generations. Most viewers could remember the exact moment when they heard about the terrorist attack. Yaël Meier couldn't – she was only one year old at the time. Instead of terrorism, she was socialised by the climate crisis. At the airport, she doesn't question the many security checks, but flying itself. «Every generation has its own timeline», Meier explained. She also addressed prejudices – such as the idea that Generation Z is lazy. The labour market has changed, she said. While boomers had to work hard to get a job, Generation Z can now make demands.
Generation Z is an attractive target group – they have money, like to spend it and are open to new things, Meier argued. The internet is the most important place for purchasing decisions. «If you're not on our smartphones, you don't exist for us», said the speaker. A product has additional digital value if it can be shown on social media.
To remain successful in the future, Meier advised companies to bring influencers and creators into their teams, to talk with each other instead of about each other, and to give young people responsibility.
When our brains work better than AI
«Brain vs. artificial intelligence – who will prevail?» – neuroscientist and author Dr. Henning Beck addressed this question with humour. Although he acknowledged the advantages of AI, he is certain that the next big idea will be conceived by a brain.
Whenever huge amounts of data are available, AI can be used very effectively for process optimisation. However, AI fails when faced with unknown data – whereas, according to Beck, humans are very good at finding their way in such situations. «Don't be afraid that this type of technology will surpass human thinking», the author appealed. Smart people become smarter with the help of AI because they use the potential of the technology. Stupid people, on the other hand, become stupider because they make themselves dependent on AI.
The Meta Group's vision is a world without media as we know it today – because AI can create everything – every book, every film, every song and every app – individually, Beck reported. There is still a long way to go. In the next step, Beck sees the internet browser on shaky ground. It could be replaced by a personal AI assistant that guides the user through the internet.
Major challenges in the current climate
In his presentation «The role of Switzerland in a new world order», Dr. Christoph Heusgen addressed the current global political situation, particularly under Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. The ambassador and former chairman of the Munich Security Conference, as well as former advisor to the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, would like Switzerland to reconsider its neutrality.
According to Heusgen's observations, Putin drastically changed his policy after the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. The narrative of a Russia that wants to restore the Soviet Union is earning him high approval ratings. With the attack on Ukraine, there is now a war in Europe. «Putin believes that he has the upper hand and that we are wimps», said Heusgen. Major investments are needed to change this situation. Under Trump, a new era has also dawned in the USA. Heusgen reported on a statement made by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner: they are businesspeople, he said, so one day you are friends and the next you are enemies. «I always keep that in mind when Trump says something», said Heusgen.
The European states must work together, said the speaker. Switzerland should not shy away from rapprochement with the EU and NATO – even without membership. «Neutrality no longer protects us today», said Heusgen. He sees rapprochement as an opportunity for the strength of the law to prevail – and not the law of the strongest.
After the exciting presentations, Patrick Scheurwater warmly thanked the speakers. «I'm taking away a lot of information and food for thought», he assured them. Afterwards, the Markant partners took the opportunity to network over lunch.
The 16th Information Day of Markant Syntrade Schweiz AG will take place on 8 October 2026 at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne.
