Highlights from The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026

Explore topics

Highlights from The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit

Freeing Resources to Fund Growth

In a tough growth environment, the strongest cost transformations combine discipline, strategic reinvestment, and AI-enabled ways of working.

Freeing Resources to Fund Growth

Freeing Resources to Fund Growth

In a tough growth environment, the strongest cost transformations combine discipline, strategic reinvestment, and AI-enabled ways of working.
The Consumer Goods and Retail Companies Getting AI Right

The Consumer Goods and Retail Companies Getting AI Right

Only 45% of retailers are seeing scalable results from AI investment. OpenAI’s Nicolai Skabo and BCG’s Nicolas De Bellefonds share key lessons from them.
How Frontier Firms Are Scaling AI

How Frontier Firms Are Scaling AI

Microsoft's Keith Mercier and BCG's Mai-Britt Poulsen explore why leadership alignment, clear governance, and bold reinvention separate AI leaders from companies still stuck in experimentation.
What Will Define Leadership for Sustainable Consumer Products?

What Will Define Leadership for Sustainable Consumer Products?

Tying the sustainability strategy to business outcomes is essential, say Ann Tracy of Colgate-Palmolive and BCG’s Shalini Unnikrishnan. But leaders ensure initiatives fuel company priorities.
Packaging That Delivers More

Packaging That Delivers More

Christoph Wegener of SIG Group AG explains why packaging must be economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and adaptable to changing consumer demand.
Consumers Are Becoming CEOs of Their Own Health

Consumers Are Becoming CEOs of Their Own Health

People are increasingly better informed about their personal health needs, driving significant growth, resilience, and innovation opportunities in the industry, say Bayer’s Daniella Foster and BCG’s Shalini Unnikrishnan.
Building Resilience into Retail Sourcing

Building Resilience into Retail Sourcing

Danni Peirce of Loblaw Companies Limited explains how supplier partnerships, diversification, and AI are helping retailers adapt to a more volatile world.
The Consumer Products Industry Knows What It Needs to Fix

The Consumer Products Industry Knows What It Needs to Fix

Affordability is consumer products’ biggest challenge right now, and transparency is the most underestimated priority, say Consumer Brands Association’s Melissa Hockstad and BCG’s Jeff Gell.
AI’s Expanding Consumer Role

AI’s Expanding Consumer Role

As advancements in AI transform the purchasing journey, marketers have new opportunities, says Mondelēz International’s Liz Caton.
Merchant Expertise Matters More with AI

Merchant Expertise Matters More with AI

Crystal Chan of DFI Retail Group and BCG's Nick Goad discuss how AI is changing the role of merchants from analyzing data to making decisions that are better for customers.
Product and Packaging Are the Source of Sustainability

Product and Packaging Are the Source of Sustainability

SAP’s Chief Sustainability Officer Sophia Mendelsohn shares insights on what matters most to consumers.
The New Rules of Consumer Spending

The New Rules of Consumer Spending

BCG’s Karin von Funck explains why tighter budgets are driving consumers to spend more intentionally and rethink what luxury means.
AI Is Much More Than a Productivity Tool

AI Is Much More Than a Productivity Tool

AI utility touches all aspects of business decision-making, say Metro AG’s Eric Riegger and BCG’s Marian Richter, including assortment, speed to market, and more.
Biosolutions Are Pioneering New Foods Around the Globe

Biosolutions Are Pioneering New Foods Around the Globe

Andrew Taylor of Novonesis explains how modern science is helping manage the complex taste, health, and sustainability triangle in the food industry.
Predicting Innovation, Not Fads, in the Food and Beverage Industry

Predicting Innovation, Not Fads, in the Food and Beverage Industry

With a wealth of health care data now at their fingertips, consumers are better informed about their dietary purchases, says BCG’s Alejandro Navarro.
Consumers Buy More Than Products

Consumers Buy More Than Products

Shai Babad, CEO of Strauss Group, and BCG’s Yotam Ariav discuss why trust, emotion, and purpose are increasingly central to consumer relationships.
Can Sustainability Be a Driver of Growth?

Can Sustainability Be a Driver of Growth?

Ferrero’s Mario Abreu and Charlotte Bande of Quantis think so. By prioritizing sustainability initiatives, companies can discover opportunities to innovate and create value.
Agentic AI Has Already Transformed Retail

Agentic AI Has Already Transformed Retail

The impact is here, but only 45% of retailers are scaling agentic AI. Scott Price of DFI Retail Group and BCG’s Mai-Britt Poulsen discuss.
What’s Next for Snacking?

What’s Next for Snacking?

Bel Group’s Béatrice de Noray and BCG’s Stéphane Cairole discuss how AI, consumer demand for healthy snacks, and GLP-1s are reshaping food innovation.
AI’s Evolving Impact on Business Growth

AI’s Evolving Impact on Business Growth

With tech playing a bigger role in the finance function, Unilever’s Alessandro Di Bella explains how to separate hype from real value.

Our Latest Thinking

FAQs

When was The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026?

The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit was held from June 23-26, 2026.

Where was the Global Summit held?

The Global Summit was held at the Austrian Center Vienna (ACV) in Vienna, Austria.

Who spoke at The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026?

The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026 featured CEOs and senior leaders from top consumer goods and retail companies, with speakers in AI, sustainability, and supply chains.

What was the event schedule for the Global Summit 2026?

The event schedule for the Global Summit included four days of keynotes, panels, and networking beginning at 9 AM June 23. The conference concluded on June 26 following the final sessions and closing program.

BCG at The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026