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ARTICLE · 06 APRIL 2026

2026 Perspectives In Private Equity: Consumer

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While private equity’s appetite for consumer businesses cooled when interest rate hikes threatened to dampen consumer demand, there have been signs of renewed momentum building.

United StatesConsumer Protection
Michelle S. Chan
Michelle S. Chan
Sally Stewart Laing
Sally Stewart Laing
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While private equity’s appetite for consumer businesses cooled when interest rate hikes threatened to dampen consumer demand, there have been signs of renewed momentum building. In 2025, global consumer M&A deal values rose significantly even as overall deal volumes remained broadly flat, reflecting a shift toward larger transactions. We observed more activity in consumer products, with a particular focus on premium products with enduring brands and experiential retail, while the application of emerging technology and AI to map and respond to changing consumer behaviors is another emerging trend.

Trade Policies Impact Portfolios

A headline grabbing concern for private equity’s consumer-focused portfolio companies in 2025 was the dynamic tariff environment and the realization that evolving trade policy could significantly impact the bottom line.

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