Member Thought Leadership
Consumer and CPG companies entered 2026 in a tougher operating environment where price increases were no longer enough to offset weak volume, cautious consumers, tariff exposure, and ongoing margin pressure. In response, companies became more deliberate about M&A and portfolio strategy, focusing less on scale and more on capabilities such as speed to market, digital infrastructure, and innovation, while also simplifying portfolios where competitive position had weakened. The leadership profiles in highest demand shifted accordingly, with stronger need for commercial leaders who can drive growth without relying on pricing, operations and supply chain executives who can manage sourcing changes and cost restructuring, and finance leaders who can model scenarios under volatile trade conditions. The broader takeaway is that consumer leadership advantage now depends on operating effectively when margin support is limited and complexity has become a permanent feature of the market.
