David Bosshart

Understanding the future of consumers and markets

Book speaker David Bosshart for an event that brings together economics, consumer behavior, technology and long-term social change. His work focuses on understanding how people consume, how markets evolve and how organizations can respond to shifting expectations and new technological possibilities.

David Bosshart has built his career around the forces that influence businesses and societies. His professional background includes scientific research, retailing, communications and marketing consulting, giving him a broad perspective on the relationship between organizations, customers and wider economic developments.

As a futurist and economist, David examines developments that can have a direct impact on strategic decision-making. His areas of expertise include consumption and consumerism, innovation in retail, supply chains, artificial and human intelligence, data wealth and data scarcity, globalization and its contradictions, management, political philosophy and social change.

His presentations connect these subjects with the practical challenges organizations face when preparing for the future. Rather than treating technology or consumer trends in isolation, David places them within a wider picture of economic, social and organizational transformation.

Decades at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute

David Bosshart has held several senior positions at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, also known as GDI. The GDI is an independent European think tank founded by European retail pioneer Gottlieb Duttweiler and specializes in trend research as well as retail, economic and social issues.

At the institute, David has served as head of the department of consumer research and social change and as head of strategic development. He has also been director of the cultural and social section of the Federation of Migros Cooperatives. He has spent more than 20 years in his current leadership role at the GDI.

The institute focuses strongly on practical questions and developments that influence organizations. Its work includes research into changing consumption patterns and behavior, innovation in retail and developments in the service industry. The GDI also provides strategic workshops, lectures and conferences designed to explore emerging challenges and opportunities.

Among its conferences are:

• The International Retail Summit
• The European Foodservice Summit
• The European Trend Day

The institute is also associated with the Gottlieb Duttweiler Prize, one of Switzerland's most prestigious awards for outstanding personalities. The prize is awarded only every few years.

David's long involvement with the GDI has placed him close to discussions about how organizations adapt to changing consumer expectations, economic developments and technological progress.

Retail, data and intelligent technology

A central part of David Bosshart's work concerns the changing relationship between technology, data and human behavior. He explores artificial and human intelligence as well as the growing strategic importance of data.

His focus on data wealth and data scarcity highlights a challenge facing many organizations: having more information available does not automatically create better decisions. Understanding which data matters, how it relates to consumer behavior and how it can support strategic development is becoming increasingly important.

David also examines the future of retail and supply chains. His experience in consumer research and retail allows him to connect technological change with shifts in buying behavior, service expectations and organizational models.

These themes make his presentations relevant for companies looking to understand how innovation, intelligence and changing patterns of consumption may affect their future direction. His approach combines broad economic thinking with knowledge developed through decades of research and practical engagement with retail and social trends.

Globalization and social change

David Bosshart also looks beyond individual technologies and industries. His expertise includes globalization contradictions, political philosophy, management and social change, allowing him to explore how wider forces influence companies, institutions and consumers.

Global markets create opportunities while also producing new tensions and complexities. Consumer expectations can change quickly, economic systems are increasingly connected, and technological developments can reshape established business models. David examines these developments through the combined perspective of an economist, researcher and futurist.

His work helps audiences consider questions surrounding the relationship between economic growth, technological progress, changing values and organizational responsibility. By connecting these different areas, he creates a broader understanding of the environments in which businesses operate.

Research, education and international speaking

David Bosshart completed his academic studies with a Ph.D. from the University of Zurich in philosophy and political theory. His academic background adds another dimension to his work on economics, consumer behavior and social development, allowing him to consider both practical business questions and the ideas that shape societies.

Throughout his career, he has continued to expand his knowledge through educational updates from Stanford University and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

David is also the author of numerous publications and has spoken at international events across Europe, America and Asia. His speaking draws on years of research, leadership and engagement with organizations navigating major shifts in markets and society.

Book David Bosshart for your event to explore how consumerism, retail, data, artificial intelligence, globalization and social change are influencing the future of organizations. His presentations give audiences a wider perspective on the developments transforming business and help leaders examine how strategic thinking can turn change into opportunity.