McKinsey on Consumer and Retail
McKinsey Retail & Consumer Goods 41 episodes Nov 9, 2026
McKinsey experts discuss the latest trends and the most pressing challenges for leaders in the retail and consumer-goods industries. They explore immediate and longer-term moves that matter most for business success. Topics covered include strategy, technology, marketing, operations, and organization. The podcast offers insights from a global consulting perspective, aimed at executives and decision-makers.
Episodes
The new realities of grocery retail in the Americas and Europe
From AI and private brands to premium products and wellness-focused shopping, grocery retailers face new opportunities—and hard choices.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Convenience or discovery: Which mission will your store serve?
As AI reshapes how consumers browse, shop, and buy, retailers must choose a mission for every location—and commit to it.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Pacsun’s Gen Z playbook: Listen, learn, and let go
Pacsun CEO Brieane Olson talks to McKinsey partner Pamela Brown about community co-creation, leadership lessons, and what’s next for Gen Z and for Pacsun.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
From dashboards to decisions: Empowering merchants with agentic AI
Agentic AI can automate routine work and improve merchandising decisions at scale. What does it take to translate potential into performance?See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Rethinking restaurant success
Union Square Hospitality Group’s Chip Wade and John Ragan share their perspectives on customer experience, restaurant technology, and the future of dining.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
How today’s consumers are spending their time and money
What are the trends shaping consumer sentiment and behavior in 2025—and what are the implications for brands and retailers?See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Holiday shopping 2025: US consumers hunt for early deals
They’re concerned about inflation and looking for value, so US consumers are changing their shopping habits this holiday season. Here’s what that means for retailers and consumer goods companies.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
A close look at the global beauty industry in 2025
We asked 15,000 consumers and 100-plus executives for their perspectives on today’s beauty market. In this episode, we highlight the themes that emerged from our research. See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
How the sporting goods industry can turn uncertainty into opportunity
The authors of a new report, Sporting Goods 2025, explore key themes that will shape the market and highlight consumer trends that could represent paths to growth.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
‘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
The state of grocery retail around the world
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:07) > 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
How Europe’s CPG leaders can navigate inflation
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 22:07) > 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
The ‘Great Attrition’ in frontline retail—and what retailers can do about it
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:52) > 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
Black beauty brands and consumers: Where do we go from here?
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 28:32) > 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
Are personalized vitamins the future of wellness?
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 22:59) > 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
Taking the pulse of the US consumer
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 26:40) > 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
Forecasting the future of stores
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 26:10) > 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
Creating good packaging for packaged goods
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 24:00) > 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
How to thrive in the global wellness market
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 23:12) > 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
In fine jewelry and watches, sustainability shines through
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 27:17) > 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
Retail supply-chain strategies for the holidays and beyond
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:22) > 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
‘Everyone snacks’: How Mars Wrigley is pursuing growth in emerging markets
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 31:32) > 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
How CPG companies can sell online profitably
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 24:40) > 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
Understanding the ever-evolving, always-surprising consumer
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 29:22) > 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
Prioritizing sustainability in the consumer sector
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:22) > 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
Taking a good look at the beauty industry
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 21:49) > 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
Shaping the workforce of the future in retail and consumer goods
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:22) > 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
How tech will revolutionize retail
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 21:35) > 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
Gen Z and the Latin American consumer today
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:42) > 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.
Holiday Shopping in 2020
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 24:33) > 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/p
What’s ahead for US restaurants
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 28:57) > 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
The path forward for the US retail industry
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 24:59) > 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
Meet Generation Z: Shaping the future of shopping (US)
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 30:34) > 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
The Chinese consumer: Resilient and confident
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 28:02) > 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
Reinvigorating growth in the consumer-goods industry
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 23:01) > 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
Consumer and Retail industry: what matters right now
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:06) > 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
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