[RetailDetail Night] The Chinese retail wave: a threat or an opportunity for European retailers?

JD.com is entering MediaMarkt, Temu and Shein are winning over European consumers, and TikTok Shop is changing the rules of the game in e-commerce. Should Europe brace itself against the Chinese retail giants, or can our retailers actually learn something from them? During RetailDetail Night on November 19, four prominent voices from the industry will engage in the debate.

To defend or to learn?

The Chinese advance into European retail is now unstoppable. With JD.com’s entry into Ceconomy, the parent company of MediaMarkt, the Chinese e-commerce giant gains direct access to European high streets. At the same time, Temu, Shein, and TikTok Shop are putting pressure on the market with competitive prices, lightning-fast product development, and advanced digital technology.

The impact extends beyond cheap products and packages from China. Chinese players have highly efficient supply chains, deploy artificial intelligence on a large scale, and are experimenting with business models that challenge traditional European retail. But is China just a threat? What if the biggest threat also turns out to be the greatest learning opportunity?

Four CEOs, four perspectives

At RetailDetail Night on November 19, four retail experts will cross swords over the future of European retail.

• Olivier Van den Bossche (MediaMarkt) is right in the thick of this transformation. On November 3, JD.com received final European approval for its acquisition of Ceconomy. The transaction will be finalized within a few days. What does the arrival of a Chinese owner mean?
  
• Peter De Sutter (e5) represents the local retail entrepreneur. How can a European fashion chain differentiate itself when Chinese platforms compete on price, speed, and product range?
  
• Steven Van den Bossche (Hermie) examines the challenge from an e-commerce perspective. How can a successful Belgian online retailer hold its own against platforms with enormous scale and a technological edge?
  
• Pascal De Greef (Comeos) places the debate within a broader economic and policy framework. How can Europe ensure fair competition without stifling innovation and investment?

The debate goes beyond the question of whether Europe should protect its borders. Should European retailers primarily fear China, or should they urgently look to China to secure their own future? That thought-provoking question forms the starting point for one of the highlights of RetailDetail Night 2026.

On Thursday, November 19, RetailDetail Night will bring together more than 400 retail professionals for an evening of keynote speeches, awards, networking, and a buffet dinner. More than 80% of the seats have already been reserved.