CONSUMERISM AND ME – From Department Store to Shopping App

Janine Seitz - Futurology
E-Mail: janinejanine-seitzde

From May to October 2026, as part of World Design Capital Frankfurt/RheinMain 2026, the Museum of Consumer Culture will present the first part of its exhibition in the former SportScheck department store—right in the heart of Wiesbaden’s pedestrian zone. The exhibition “CONSUMPTION and ME – From Department Store to Shopping App” explores what consumption has to do with us—and with our democracy—from the early days of department stores to current issues surrounding online shopping, sustainability, and social participation.

Consumption is part of human culture. It is a leisure activity, a source of identity, and a canvas for self-expression—sometimes a source of comfort, sometimes a status symbol, sometimes an addiction. Today, consumption knows almost no bounds, while once-popular shopping destinations are visibly losing their significance. We prefer to shop from the couch and access global markets via apps on our smartphones.

The exhibition opens on May 2 as part of the opening of WerkRaum Wiesbaden—with a guided tour at 2 p.m. If you’d like to get involved beforehand: Share your shopping memories from Wiesbaden now or confess your own shopping fail on our website. The best stories will be on display at the exhibition.

The pop-up exhibition is both a history museum and a future lab. It looks back on the glory days of consumer palaces that promised consumption for all, while simultaneously inviting visitors to participate and reflect. Together, we aim to develop and discuss visions for the future of consumption.

The museum project is planned as a series of individual modules on the history, present, and future of consumption. The long-term goal is to establish a permanent museum of consumer culture.

May 2 through October 31, 2026

Former SportScheck: WerkRaum Wiesbaden
Langgasse 5-9
65183 Wiesbaden

Education, consumption, culture & media