Insights & Trends 2026
The 2026 Theme
Health Tech in Bloom?
An international consumer study
Artificial intelligence has dominated the industry debate in recent years. At the same time, a second, equally profound development is emerging: health and wellbeing tech is becoming widely available, embedding prevention, self-care, and healthy aging into people’s everyday lives.
This is precisely where GFU and Oliver Wyman come in. Their representative international consumer study provides the data for Insights & Trends 2026: on usage, motivation, and willingness to buy in relation to health tech. After all, the devices have long been present in almost every household. The real question is how they can create genuine added value for health.
The study
Six markets, one question: What makes us healthy?
Consumer behavior is being examined in six key global markets, including Germany, India, Brazil, China, and the USA. The study explores four central questions:
- How strong is the willingness to invest preventively in one’s own health?
- What role do smart everyday devices play in coping with stress?
- How does user motivation differ across cultures: performance optimization, wellness, or simply reliable home diagnostics?
- And how is acceptance developing for digital ecosystems, coaching apps, and subscription models?
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Carine Chardon • Managing Director, GFU Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH
Carine Chardon is Managing Director of GFU Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH, the company responsible for IFA’s industry analyses, studies, and market trend analyses. As an experienced industry expert in consumer electronics and home appliances, she has already held various leadership positions related to industry representation and market development in Germany, for example at ZVEI and the German TV Platform.
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Dr. Martin Schulte • Partner Retail and Consumer Goods, Oliver Wyman
Dr. Schulte is Global Sector Leader at the management consultancy Oliver Wyman and a member of the German management team. Holding a doctorate in business administration, he advises companies in the electrical industry worldwide on issues of commercial and digital transformation. His areas of focus include the further development of business models, platform strategies, and eCommerce offerings.
Panelist
Sebastian Kebbe
Managing Director & Chief Commercial Officer, Beurer GmbH
Sebastian Kebbe is Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer of Beurer GmbH. Since 2010, he has shaped the success of this long-established company in leadership roles. With extensive management, industry, and market expertise as well as a solid business administration background, he consistently drives growth, brand strength, and international marketing. His career stations include Sanvartis, Barmer, and Ferrero, among others.
Panelist
Gerrit Janßen
Commercial Leader / Country Leader Personal Health DACH, Philips GmbH
Gerrit Janßen is Commercial Leader Personal Health DACH at Philips and is responsible for the consumer business in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. His focus is on creating sustainable growth, strengthening key customer partnerships, and shaping the future of the Personal Health business area in one of Philips’ most important global markets.
With extensive experience in commercial leadership, business transformation, and customer-centric growth, he has held leading positions in marketing, sales, strategy, and business development. Prior to his current role, he served as Regional Business Unit Leader for Oral Healthcare in Western Europe, where he drove growth and market expansion across the region.
IFA Kick-Off 2026
The launch of IFA.
GFU Insights & Trends marks the start of the IFA Kick-Off on June 30. Media, content creators, bloggers, and leading tech brands will come together at Berlin’s Futurium to experience innovations and to showcase and contextualize the trends, technologies, and perspectives of the upcoming IFA.