State of the Consumer Brands Industry Report

The leadership challenges slowing growth aren't always where leaders think they are.

The 2026 State of the Consumer Brands Industry Report captures perspectives from founders, investors, CEOs, C-suite leaders, and VP and Director level operators across the consumer ecosystem. What emerged is a revealing disconnect between leadership perception and operational reality. While many executives believe their organizations are prepared for what's next, the people closest to the work often see a different picture. 

Inside the report:

• The readiness gap between executives and their teams
• Why leadership hiring is taking longer and costing more than many organizations realize
• The hidden impact of delayed hiring decisions on execution, burnout, and growth
• How founder-led and investor-backed brands approach leadership differently
• What causes executive hires to struggle in their first 90 days
• Why leading brands are increasingly adopting flexible workforce strategies
  

Whether you're scaling a business, evaluating portfolio performance, building a leadership team, or planning for the next stage of growth, this report provides a benchmark for how consumer brands are navigating talent, leadership, and organizational effectiveness today.