Kilian Wagner

Kilian Wagner

Disruptive Retail Pioneer, Omnichannel Visionary & Co-Founder of VIU Eyewear

Core Intelligence Domain: Entrepreneurship & Retail Innovation
Location: Zurich, Switzerland | Languages: English, German
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Kilian Wagner is a pioneering Swiss entrepreneur and the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of VIU Eyewear, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand that has fundamentally disrupted the traditional European optical industry. Recognised for his strategic foresight in retail innovation, Wagner has successfully bridged the gap between premium design, sustainable manufacturing, and accessible pricing through a flawless omnichannel customer experience. His leadership model challenges legacy market monopolies, proving that agile, customer-centric frameworks can rapidly capture market share.

Before founding VIU in 2013, Wagner honed his expertise in corporate strategy and operational scaling as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. Leveraging this rigorous analytical background, he identified a critical inefficiency in the global eyewear market: a fragmented supply chain dominated by industry conglomerates that inflated prices. Under his guidance, VIU bypassed traditional licensing and wholesale models, integrating the entire value chain—from design in Switzerland and bespoke production in Italy and Japan, directly to the end consumer.

Wagner’s proprietary approach to brand building centres on the seamless integration of digital and physical retail spaces. VIU is celebrated not only for its robust e-commerce platform but also for its architecturally distinct flagship stores across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the UK, and Scandinavia. His methodology demonstrates that physical retail is not dead; rather, it must evolve into immersive, experiential hubs that complement digital acquisition. Furthermore, Wagner has been a vocal advocate for sustainability in fashion and retail, spearheading initiatives to utilise 3D-printed technology and sustainable acetate in cutting-edge product development.

Core Speaking Themes & Strategic Frameworks

• The D2C Revolution & Disrupting Monopolies: Strategic blueprints for identifying market inefficiencies and bypassing legacy gatekeepers to deliver superior consumer value.
• Omnichannel Excellence: Designing a frictionless customer journey that seamlessly unites high-converting e-commerce ecosystems with immersive brick-and-mortar experiences.
• Sustainable Innovation in Consumer Goods: Integrating eco-conscious materials, such as 3D-printed frames and sustainable acetate, into profitable, scalable business models.
• Scaling from Startup to Pan-European Brand: Leadership insights on navigating hyper-growth, building resilient supply chains, and maintaining brand authenticity across diverse cultural markets.
• Customer-Centricity as a Growth Engine: Leveraging data analytics and direct consumer feedback loops to iterate products and elevate the modern retail experience.

Key Takeaways

• Discover actionable frameworks for transitioning from a traditional retail model to a high-margin, direct-to-consumer powerhouse.
• Learn how to architect an omnichannel strategy that transforms physical stores into powerful brand-building and customer acquisition assets.
• Gain proprietary insights into integrating sustainable practices without compromising product quality, design, or profit margins.
• Understand the strategic leadership required to scale a disruptive concept into an internationally recognised, premium lifestyle brand.