Greater Hamburg Area
Christian Warning is the accomplished founder and Managing Partner of The Retail Marketeers, a consulting firm based in Hamburg, Germany, dedicated to the diverse realm of retail convenience. As an alumnus of the University of Hamburg, Christian leverages nearly four decades of experience to pioneer innovative solutions within the convenience market, uniquely blending profound industry insight with a vast professional network. Before establishing The Retail Marketeers, Christian spent 13 impactful years at Shell, where he ultimately directed its billion-dollar non-fuel retail operations in the German market. Subsequently, he led the development of the largest convenience store franchise system outside of fuel stations in Germany at Deutsche Bahn (German railway). Christian currently serves as the NACS Relationship Partner for German-speaking markets (D-A-CH) and proudly hosts the annual Convenience Leaders Convention in Hamburg. Christian further demonstrates his leadership and commitment to the industry and education through the following roles: Chairman of the advisory board, mobilitygastronomy, Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA): With over 350 members, the ICA Network stands as Germany's premier industry network, facilitating regular gatherings for top management in the food service sector. Member of the Wirtschaftsausschuss, Denkfabrik Zukunft der Gastwelt (DZG): The DZG, Germany's pioneering think tank, unites policymakers, associations, and the hospitality industry nationwide, bringing together prominent figures from tourism, hospitality, food service, and leisure. Group Advisor and facilitator, Global Convenience Vision Group (GCVG): A collaborative venture between Vision Group Network (VGN) and The Retail Marketeers (TRM), the GCVG acts as an international platform for convenience and mobility retailers and Ally Supporters. Advisor and Chair of forecourttech: The preeminent global industry event focused on technology within mobility retail. Chief Liaison Officer of the Opresnik Business School. University Lecturer at the ZHAW in Switzerland. His extensive engagement within the industry also encompasses his role as an advisory board member for two global petrol station specialists, a position that involves visiting over 1,000 gas stations and convenience stores across numerous countries annually.
The Retail Marketeers are sought-after experts in the rapidly evolving roadside retail and mobility omnichannel business. The company uniquely combines a deep knowledge of daily operations with strategic insights while its boutique size guarantees focus and efficiency. Its ability to swiftly integrate retailer’s needs with vendor’s capabilities is at the core of a successful and cost-effective market-entry and transition strategy. For this, The Retail Marketeers create ideas and tailor-made processes, while putting clients in touch with just the right people to bring these ideas to life. Thirty plus years of hands-on industry best practice, together with an unprecedented network that encompasses manufacturers, wholesalers and pivotal company executives make the company a powerful ally for any convenience venture. Turning deep industry insights and hard numbers into swift action, The Retail Marketeers offer tried and tested turnkey solutions for any convenience business. Of course, trends such as automation, digitalization, loyalty, geo-marketing and sustainability are an integral part of the novel and individual solutions the company successfully brings to the many challenges of the convenience world. Among many others power brands such as Shell, Total, Orlen, DCC, Valora, Ahold, Rewe, Lekkerland, Verifone, Aryzta, Costa Coffee, Rockets, elior/areas, Wisag, Sanofi, Generali, PepsiCo, 28 Black, DMK, Trolley, PDI, Vontier, Coca Cola, Unilever, Imperial Tobacco, ATU trusted in the work with The Retail Marketeers over the last 20 years.
NACS, the leading global trade association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing, serves as a trusted advisor to over 1,300 retailer and 1,600 supplier members from more than 50 countries. A member-driven organization, NACS is led by a 29-member Board of Directors comprised of convenience retailers of all sizes from all over the globe. The NACS Global Industry Engagement Council is a curated network of 8 trusted professionals who serve as connectors between NACS and the global convenience and fuel retailing industry. Representing key markets worldwide, Council members bring deep local insight, market intelligence, and industry relationships to support NACS’ mission of advancing the global convenience and fuel retailing industry. Council members are independent consultants, researchers, and market experts who collaborate with NACS to: • Share regional trends and developments in the industry • Extend NACS’ reach through local engagement and outreach • Support membership growth and participation in NACS events and initiatives • Foster peer-to-peer learning and global knowledge exchange While members contribute valuable expertise, they do so as voluntary affiliated partners, reinforcing NACS’ role as the leading global authority in the industry. The Council serves as both a platform for collaboration and a strategic extension of NACS’ global engagement efforts
NACS advances the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contributors to the communities they serve. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 154,000 stores nationwide selling fuel, food and merchandise, serves 160 million customers daily—half of the U.S. population—and has sales that are 10.8% of total U.S. retail and foodservice sales. NACS has 2,100 retailer and 1,750 supplier members from more than 50 countries. The NACS International Committees are comprised of retail and supplier leaders from around the world, dedicated to improving the global future of the convenience industry.
The ICA Network is the leading industry network in Germany where the top management levels of food service companies meet for regular events. With more than 350 members, the ICA Executive Network is a strong community and sets standards as a networking platform.
Die Denkfabrik Zukunft der Gastwelt (DZG) ist der erste Thinktank Deutschlands, der Politik, Verbände und Gastwelt auf Bundesebene zusammenbringt. Dabei vereint die Gastwelt hochkarätige Vertreter*innen aus Tourismus, Hospitality, Foodservice & Freizeitwirtschaft. The Denkfabrik Zukunft der Gastwelt (DZG) is Germany's first think tank to bring together policymakers, associations, and the hospitality industry at the nationall level. The DZG brings together high-profile representatives from the tourism, hospitality, food service, and leisure industries.
Global Convenience Vision Group (GCVG) is a joint initiative of Vision Group Network (VGN) and The Retail Marketeers (TRM) , an international forum for convenience and mobility retailers and Ally Supporters. The Global Convenience Vision Group meets virtually once a quarter to share knowledge and innovative ideas for B2B and B2C markets in convenience retail, foodservice, fuel/energy/mobility channels from arounf the world. GCVG meetings will be facilitated by Christian Warning, CEO of The Retail Marketeers, a convenience industry leader recognized throughout Europe. VGN will share the contents of each GCVG meeting through VGN’s free acclaimed online Vision Reports. The combination of Global Convenience Vision Group retail members and Ally Supporters encourages diverse opinions and open dialogue. Following each GCVG meeting, VGN will publish a GCVG Vision Report, as it does with its other virtual forums, with the “Views” section (an overview of the discussion) as well as “In The Room” (a transcript of the entire meeting) including any presentation made by a subject matter expert. “By including the full transcription, our Vision Reports offer a rich source of information”, says VGN Co-founder Myra Kressner, “that allows readers to discover the nuances of each conversation and see how companies may have different solutions or approaches to the same issue. The depth of understanding that is available to a Vision Report reader is unparalleled.” As our mission is Sharing Today to Shape Tomorrow, we are an open information resource accessible to all, guided by the principle that "a rising tide lifts all boats." We believe in harnessing the collective wisdom of the best and brightest minds to support both you and your organization.