KPMG 2025 Consumer and Retail CEO Outlook

The 2025 CEO Outlook takes you inside how consumer and retail CEOs are leaning into AI to boost efficiency and personalize experiences, rethinking their workforces for a more digital future, and sharpening their sustainability efforts to stay resilient.

The findings reveal an industry that is adapting quickly, making intentional choices, and preparing for a future defined by smarter operations and more connected consumers.

This report focuses exclusively on the 120 consumer and retail CEOs surveyed.

64% say AI is a top investment priority, up from 57 percent in 2024.

73% expect to spend 10–20 percent of their budget on AI in the next year (second highest of any sector.

68% expect to see a return on investment (ROI) 68% in AI within 1−3 years.

• Download the 2025 Consumer & Retail CEO Outlook to uncover:
• How CEOs are navigating a split consumer landscape by balancing global ambition, local pressures, and mounting supply chain friction.
• Why 78% of leaders remain optimistic about industry growth, even as demand polarizes and margins tighten.
• How AI is reshaping the sector, from personalization to predictive supply chains – with AI now a top investment priority and rapid ROI expected.
• Clear, data‑driven insights from 120 global CEOs to help you stay resilient, drive growth, and move decisively in a volatile market.
• Tap into the experiences of CEOs across the consumer and retail world and get a clearer view of the trends that matter most.
• Explore the full report to gain a deeper understanding of the trends, perspectives, and emerging themes shaping the future of Asset Management and Private Equity.