The recent Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit in Kyoto offered the chance to connect with industry leaders about the challenges facing consumers today, from supply chain disruptions and climate shocks to political instability. While the landscape is complex, we were energized by discussions about pragmatic solutions, including five bold moves we believe make up the new consumer products agenda.

Winners will focus on raw consumer needs, redefine winning capabilities to scale (while radically simplifying everything else), actualize net zero, reimagine an operating model set for speed and entrepreneurship, and reset the digital agenda with a focus on the consumer, customer, and employee experience.

We also enjoyed hearing from our own Consumer Lab, which offered an illuminating peek at how the consumer economies of the future will impact how people live, work, and spend in the year 2035.

This thought-provoking glimpse into the future, paired with discussion about actionable near-term solutions, has renewed our optimism about the road ahead. We look forward to connecting again soon. Until then, I invite you to peruse our latest relevant insights.

BAIN@CGF

Hot Topics for CPGs

Reshaping the CP Agenda

A focus on shareholder returns shouldn’t be at the expense of consumers, retail customers, employees, or the planet. In fact, serving the needs of multiple stakeholders actually strengthens a company’s ability to deliver long-term value to shareholders. We studied eight winning CP companies that are getting it right.

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Meet the Conscious Nonconsumers

Representing 32% of all US consumers, this cohort makes lifestyle choices based on environmental concerns—but doesn’t purchase products accordingly. Increasingly, this group presents an untapped growth opportunity for CPGs and retailers.

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Does Purpose Help Brands Grow?

Beyond a niche concern, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) is now a top-three key purchasing criterion for more than half of consumers globally. Our data-driven Elements of Value® can help brands pinpoint how ESG elements contribute to value perception.

Explore the framework ►

The Time Is Now for M&A in CP

As with the 2008 recession, strategic actions will separate winners from losers. CP companies that proactively pursued M&A in the last downturn achieved five times higher profit growth than peers. Once again, companies must be alert and ready to act.

Take advantage of the M&A window ►

Consumer Products

Hot Topics for CPGs

Reshaping the CP Agenda

Meet the Conscious Nonconsumers

Does Purpose Help Brands Grow?

The Time Is Now for M&A in CP