Consumer products M&A update: Q1 2026

The Producer Price Index for food and beverage retailers increased from 280.8 to 290.6 between December 2025 and March 2026, indicating rising pricing pressure.

Consumer products and retail trends

  • Food and beverage
    The Consumer Price Index (CPI) US city average for food and beverages increased 3.3% from March 2025 to March 2026, indicating a higher average basket price for consumers.1
  • Health and personal care
    Digital detox and slow-tech movements are rising, as 94% of women and 89% of men report high stress from constant connectivity, driving consumers to embrace intentional rest and screen-free practices.2
  • Multi-unit and consumer services
    US franchise establishments are expected to grow by 1.6% in 2026, from 832,521 to 845,000 units, while total franchise GDP is expected to increase by 1.8% year over year to $558.4 billion.3

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References

1 US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food and Beverages in U.S. City Average, retrieved from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), accessed April 1, 2026.
2 Alyssa Jaffer, “These are the 5 wellness trends to watch In 2026,” Forbes, December 23, 2025.
3 
Alka Sinha, Khadija Cochinwala, and Jin Wang, Franchising Economic Outlook, International Franchise Association, accessed April 1, 2026.

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