McKinsey experts discuss the latest trends and the most pressing challenges for leaders in the retail and consumer-goods industries. Hear about the immediate and longer-term moves that matter most for business success. Topics covered include strategy, technology, marketing, operations, and organization.
Portfolio and performance: Priorities for CPG leaders
The consumer goods industry, once an investor darling, has underperformed in recent years. Companies can prioritize six actions to simultaneously revive revenue growth and cut costs.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
10/2/2024 • 24 minutes, 15 seconds
Luxury retail is about ‘emotions, not transactions’
The physical shopping experience matters more than ever, says Value Retail founder Scott Malkin, whose company owns some of the world’s best-performing luxury shopping destinations.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
2/22/2024 • 21 minutes, 26 seconds
How product design can yield ‘triple wins’: Growth, margin, and sustainability
Some consumer companies have simultaneously increased sales, cut costs, and reduced carbon emissions. Their secret? Paying closer attention to the design of their products and packaging.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
1/30/2024 • 23 minutes, 54 seconds
The art and science of reducing retail shrink
Retailers need a data-informed, collaborative, store-by-store approach to combat shrink. The payoff: higher profits and better customer experience.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
12/12/2023 • 23 minutes, 38 seconds
Holiday shopping in 2023: ‘It started early and will end late’
In search of the best deals, US consumers are spreading out their spending across several months this holiday season. Here’s what that means for retailers.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
11/13/2023 • 24 minutes, 59 seconds
How to do a ‘retail reset’: Priorities for retail leaders
The most successful retailers will be those that undergo a full reset—by harnessing new technology, creating ecosystems, engaging their workforce, and investing in private brands.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
10/31/2023 • 28 minutes, 2 seconds
Consumers are spending on sustainable consumer goods: Highlights from new research
Which sustainability attributes matter most at the point of sale? Do consumers pay attention to sustainability claims? A new report from McKinsey and NielsenIQ provides answers.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
5/11/2023 • 25 minutes, 55 seconds
Purposeful growth in retail: Perspectives from two former Nike execs
What does purposeful growth look like in the retail sector? Christiana Shi and Stuart Hogue, former senior leaders at Nike, speak with McKinsey’s Brian Gregg about the company’s formula for serving customers—with a focus on digital transformation and the direct-to-consumer model.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
4/13/2023 • 25 minutes, 31 seconds
‘Let’s not just rely on data’: Holt Renfrew’s Anne Pitcher on the future of retail
The department-store veteran explains how retailers can become more consumer-centric, experiential, sustainable, and diverse than they’ve ever been.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
3/2/2023 • 20 minutes, 28 seconds
The state of grocery retail around the world
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A survey of 30,000+ consumers and 100+ grocery CEOs reveals the challenges—and opportunities—that grocery retailers face today.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
9/29/2022 • 25 minutes, 8 seconds
How Europe’s CPG leaders can navigate inflation
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With inflation persisting, consumer-packaged-goods manufacturers can’t rely on the strategies that got them through the past two years. It’s time for a reset.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
9/8/2022 • 22 minutes, 7 seconds
The ‘Great Attrition’ in frontline retail—and what retailers can do about it
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New research reveals which aspects of the employee experience matter most to US frontline retail workers. Retailers must pay attention and act quickly, or risk losing more than half their store staff.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
7/28/2022 • 25 minutes, 52 seconds
Black beauty brands and consumers: Where do we go from here?
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Ulta Beauty CEO Dave Kimbell and two McKinsey senior partners discuss how to better support Black brands and serve Black consumers.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
7/14/2022 • 28 minutes, 33 seconds
Are personalized vitamins the future of wellness?
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The CEOs of two vitamin companies, HUM Nutrition and Vous Vitamin, discuss the biggest trends in consumer health and wellness.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
6/16/2022 • 23 minutes
Taking the pulse of the US consumer
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The latest Consumer Pulse survey shows that people across America are changing their shopping behaviors—and will continue to do so. Companies need to pay close attention.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
5/5/2022 • 26 minutes, 41 seconds
Forecasting the future of stores
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Shoppers’ behaviors and expectations have changed dramatically—and continue to evolve. If retailers want to keep their physical stores relevant, here are five things they’ll need to get right.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
3/17/2022 • 26 minutes, 10 seconds
Creating good packaging for packaged goods
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The e-commerce boom, widespread concerns about sustainability, and the digitization trend are spurring innovation in packaging. Many consumer products will soon be in packages that are stronger, sustainable, and ‘smart.’See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
2/10/2022 • 24 minutes, 1 second
How to thrive in the global wellness market
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Consumers everywhere plan to spend more on products and services that improve their health and wellness. Here’s what that means for companies.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
1/20/2022 • 23 minutes, 12 seconds
In fine jewelry and watches, sustainability shines through
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Consumers shopping for high-end jewelry and watches are increasingly favoring brands that act responsibly, value diversity, and have a compelling brand presence both online and offline.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
12/2/2021 • 27 minutes, 17 seconds
Retail supply-chain strategies for the holidays and beyond
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How can retailers ensure strong sales this holiday shopping season amid continuing supply-chain problems? Two McKinsey experts share their insights.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
11/11/2021 • 25 minutes, 22 seconds
‘Everyone snacks’: How Mars Wrigley is pursuing growth in emerging markets
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Mars Wrigley’s president of global emerging markets, Blas Maquivar, discusses consumers’ evolving snacking behaviors, the company’s digital and purpose-driven initiatives, and leadership lessons he’s learned during the pandemic.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
10/28/2021 • 31 minutes, 32 seconds
How CPG companies can sell online profitably
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Profitability online has been an ongoing challenge for CPG companies. Two McKinsey experts elaborate on the success factors for boosting e-commerce margins and achieving omnichannel excellence.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
10/7/2021 • 24 minutes, 41 seconds
Understanding the ever-evolving, always-surprising consumer
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Consumer behaviors have changed over the past 18 months, but which ones will stick? Three experts explain how forward-thinking companies anticipate consumers’ needs and win their trust.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
8/19/2021 • 29 minutes, 23 seconds
Prioritizing sustainability in the consumer sector
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Consumers and companies alike are becoming more interested in making sustainability-focused choices, but how to do so isn’t always clear. Two McKinsey partners provide research-based insights.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
8/5/2021 • 20 minutes, 7 seconds
Taking a good look at the beauty industry
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How can the beauty industry meet the increasing demands for sustainability and inclusivity? And how can digital experimentation and social selling be advanced in a meaningful way? Two McKinsey leaders discuss the future of the beauty industry.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
7/22/2021 • 21 minutes, 49 seconds
Shaping the workforce of the future in retail and consumer goods
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How do forward-thinking companies create thoughtful guidelines for hybrid work environments, train employees in adaptability and resilience, and proactively reskill their workforces? Hear from “future of work” experts Bryan Hancock and Ashish Kothari.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
7/8/2021 • 25 minutes, 23 seconds
How tech will revolutionize retail
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The retailer of the future will harness the power of data, business building, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality, says serial entrepreneur and technology expert John Straw.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
6/24/2021 • 21 minutes, 35 seconds
Gen Z and the Latin American consumer today
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What sets Gen Z apart from other consumer cohorts? How have the attitudes and behaviors of Gen Zers—and other Latin American consumers—changed over the past few months? McKinsey’s Tracy Francis and Fernanda Hoefel share insights from their research and from their work with Latin America’s leading consumer companies.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
12/10/2020 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
Holiday Shopping in 2020
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This holiday season, the customer is up for grabs. Here’s what retailers need to know and how they can plan ahead. McKinsey experts Tamara Charm and Brian Ruwadi share highlights from McKinsey’s latest holiday shopping report, for which they surveyed more than 3,500 consumers in five countries.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
11/20/2020 • 24 minutes, 37 seconds
What’s ahead for US restaurants
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What will the future of dining out look like? Two McKinsey experts discuss the near-term outlook for restaurants, examples of restaurant innovation and agility, and “unbundling” the restaurant experience.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
10/22/2020 • 28 minutes, 58 seconds
The path forward for the US retail industry
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In this podcast episode, McKinsey partners discuss how the US retail landscape has changed and the key strategic moves for companies in a postpandemic world.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
10/8/2020 • 25 minutes
Meet Generation Z: Shaping the future of shopping (US)
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In this podcast, two McKinsey partners talk about the insights from their latest US research on how the newest consumer generations—Gen Z and millennials—are upturning retailers’ expectations. Listen in to learn how—and what to do about it.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
9/17/2020 • 30 minutes, 35 seconds
The Chinese consumer: Resilient and confident
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In this podcast, two China-based McKinsey partners impart advice on how companies can succeed in China’s fast-recovering consumer market.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
9/3/2020 • 28 minutes, 2 seconds
Reinvigorating growth in the consumer-goods industry
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In this episode of the McKinsey on Consumer and Retail podcast, three senior partners discuss the changes that will fuel the next generation of growth for consumer-packaged-goods companies.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
8/20/2020 • 23 minutes, 2 seconds
Consumer and Retail industry: what matters right now
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The head of McKinsey’s Global Retail and Consumer Goods practices discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and the strategic priorities for business leaders.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information