What We Learned Reading Every Major FMCG Q1 2026 Report

What We Learned Reading Every Major FMCG Q1 2026 Report

Q1 2026 marked a turning point for global FMCG. Across twenty-one of the largest players — from Nestlé and Unilever to AB InBev, PepsiCo and Reckitt — pricing has decelerated and volume is back as the principal growth engine. The new RGM frontier is mix: premium brands, pack architecture, energy and zero-sugar variants, and channel shifts to out-of-home. PepsiCo's Frito-Lay cut US snack prices for the first time in years. Mondelēz exposed the ceiling on chocolate pricing. Emerging markets are now growing two-to-three times faster than developed. And with cost inflation returning in H2, a more disciplined pricing cycle is coming.  Click to see the infographic [https://www.accuris.com/post/what-we-learned-reading-every-major-fmcg-q1-2026-earnings-report] with a summary of all Q1 earnings reports.  FMCG Weekly - News and trends curated by Accuris, the leading independent consultancy for revenue growth management

AB Inbev, Amazon, McDonald’s and the Battle for the "Shaky Consumer"

AB InBev has broken an 11-quarter volume slide by pivoting from brewery acquisitions to an "organic growth algorithm," concentrating 70% of its marketing on a few "megabrands." In Europe, retail sales have dipped 0.1% as energy shocks from the Iran conflict suppress consumer confidence. Meanwhile, Amazon has launched a massive price offensive in the UK, undercutting the "Big Four" on 65% of comparable grocery SKUs. Finally, McDonald’s and Burger King are leveraging value-based menu strategies to maintain volume amidst a tightening consumer economy.  FMCG Weekly - News and trends curated by Accuris, the leading independent consultancy for revenue growth management

Coca-Cola’s Post-Inflation Growth Playbook

Coca-Cola’s first-quarter results show a shift from price-led growth toward architecture-led growth. Organic revenue rose 10 percent, volume grew 3 percent, and EPS guidance improved, but the strategic signal is in pack design, affordability, cold availability, and occasion-based innovation. The 1.25-liter bottle and mini cans show how Coca-Cola is addressing pressured consumers without relying mainly on discounting. For FMCG leaders, the key question is whether growth is truly incremental or driven by cannibalization, subsidized loyalty, or stockpiling. The next RGM advantage will come from source-of-business clarity, disciplined pack roles, and precise execution. FMCG Weekly - News and trends curated by Accuris, the leading independent consultancy for revenue growth management

From Clubcard to Discounters: Who Owns Value Now?

Tesco’s strong results, affluent shoppers moving into discounters, and the decline of traditional budget ranges. Tesco shows how modern retail advantage now comes from an integrated system of price, loyalty, media, digital fulfilment, AI, and premium own label. At the same time, higher-income consumers are becoming selectively frugal, saving on low-joy essentials while still spending on experiences and chosen indulgences. Meanwhile, explicit value tiers are shrinking because retailers increasingly deliver value through ecosystems rather than just cheap ranges. For FMCG leaders, value is not disappearing. It is becoming more personalised, data-led, and strategically contested. FMCG Weekly - News and trends curated by Accuris, the leading independent consultancy for revenue growth management

Inside the McCormick-Unilever Mega-Merger

This week’s podcast examines the landmark $66 billion merger between Unilever’s food business and McCormick, a deal creating a $20 billion revenue "flavor powerhouse." Structured as a reverse Morris trust, the agreement sees Unilever pivoting toward beauty and personal care after a century in food, while McCormick significantly scales its global footprint. We also analyze Nestlé’s response to a 12-ton KitKat heist in Italy. By utilizing humor and viral engagement, Nestlé turned a supply chain crisis into a PR victory, providing key lessons for executives on brand voice, spontaneity, and the rising risks of cargo theft. FMCG Weekly - News and trends curated by Accuris, the leading independent consultancy for revenue growth management