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IFA 2026 surpasses previous-year figures and brought future technologies to life – more visitors, more exhibitors, more AI and more robotics than ever before
IFA 2026 set a new record with 240,000 visitors from 155 countries and more than 2,000 exhibitors, showcasing AI, robotics, smart home and mobility across numerous experiential formats.
Digitally disruptive, relevant in-store
AI and social commerce are already changing shopping behavior for electrical appliances: In four countries, the study shows high acceptance of AI-supported product search and growing use of social commerce, while brick-and-mortar retail focuses on advice and service.
The future is now
IFA Berlin opens the Media Days and puts AI, robotics, and smart everyday devices in the spotlight — manufacturers, start-ups, and policymakers show how technology is already being used today in smartphones, household appliances, and robots.
The biggest World Cup ever creates new opportunities
The 2026 FIFA World Cup primarily boosted business in premium televisions: ahead of kick-off, demand for large-screen and Mini-LED models rose significantly, while the longer tournament duration did not extend the effect.
Global crises and continued consumer restraint are impacting sales
The German home electronics market recorded a moderate decline in revenue in the first half of 2026, but individual segments with clearly identifiable added value grew significantly. Why consumers are investing selectively in certain innovations despite uncertainty — and which products could drive the upswing.
Stable global market shaped by selective purchasing decisions
The market for major domestic appliances in 2026 is shaped by price pressure, cautious consumers, and a normalization of growth after strong years — while design innovation, energy efficiency, and smart ecosystems are opening up new value creation potential.
GFU and ZVEI initiate the IFA Leaders & Policy Dialogue
With the new IFA Leaders & Policy Dialogue, GFU and ZVEI are creating a high-caliber forum for exchange between business and politics. As part of IFA 2026, leading representatives from industry and politics will discuss competitiveness, innovation, and the future of the European single market.
How Generative AI Turns the Smart Home into an Intuitive Housemate with Edge AI
It works in the background, locally and in real time – and turns the smart home into an intuitive housemate: Edge AI processes data directly on the device instead of in the cloud. This protects sensitive data, saves energy, and works even without an internet connection. Why the technology is meeting a mature market and what growth experts expect.
Well-designed combination appliances are conquering the market
Combination appliances that unite multiple functions in one are the growth drivers in the household. Whether vacuum cleaners with a mopping function, ovens with an integrated air fryer, or 3-in-1 air conditioners: consumers are increasingly opting for products that save time, space, and resources – thereby driving double-digit market growth.
The playbook for Beauty & Wellness
The beauty and wellness market for small domestic appliances is growing by more than 6 percent despite a weak economy. This increase is not being driven by volume, but by premiumization, growing polarization in demand, and the rapid rise of social commerce. Those who want to win in the future must operate with precision across segments, categories, and platforms.
The Unused Giant Battery on Our Doorstep
Around 120 gigawatt-hours of unused storage capacity are already sitting outside our doors: the batteries of electric vehicles. How EVs can become a swarm storage system for the energy transition and what V2H, V2G, and the new charging standard from 2027 mean.
Consumers worldwide are increasingly investing in health technologies
Wearables, apps, subscriptions: A new international study by Oliver Wyman and GFU shows how consumers in Germany, China, India, and three other markets are investing in their health – and why health tech is not a short-term trend, but a stable growth market.
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