The new consumer landscape, AI in private equity, and more

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Brought to you by Alex Panas, global leader of industries, & Becca Coggins, global leader of functional practices and growth platforms

Welcome to the latest edition of The Weekend Read. We hope you find our perspectives useful. Let us know what you think at Alex_Panas@McKinsey.com and Becca_Coggins@McKinsey.com.

—Alex and Becca

This weekend, catch up on key insights on today’s consumer landscape, getting the most value out of AI in private equity, and more.

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The fast advancement of technology and ongoing cost consciousness are widely shaping consumer behavior today. Anna Pione, Clarisse Magnin, Danielle Bozarth, Jessica Moulton, and Kari Alldredge explore four global trends that will define the sector in the years ahead: the new tech-driven path to purchase, the health revolution, the experience economy, and the rise of the resourceful consumer.

Explore the latest consumer landscape

In this episode of Brilliant Moves: Coffee with CEOs, McKinsey Senior Partner Gautam Kumra speaks with Vipul Chawla, Group CEO of FairPrice Group, about how Singapore’s largest supermarket retailer is using AI to enhance the customer experience while staying true to its social mission.

Sit in on the discussion

An image linking to the web page “Beyond productivity: How AI creates value in private equity”

Private equity–backed companies that embed AI across operations, products, and new business ventures demonstrate higher growth potential. Alfonso Pulido, Hayk Yegoryan, Joachim Bleys, Stacey Haas, and coauthors outline how AI can drive value in the PE industry.

Explore the analysis

Photograph of a modern office setting with three people engaged in work activities. One person with curly hair sits at a desk, another stands holding a tablet, and a third works on a laptop, highlighting a collaborative and technology-driven work environment.

KPN, the Netherlands’ largest telecom provider, is reimagining customer care with an agentic AI engine that goes beyond traditional chatbots. By partnering with McKinsey and its AI arm, QuantumBlack, KPN is strengthening quality, improving efficiency, and building AI capabilities for long-term competitiveness.

Dive into the case study

ALSO NEW

An image linking to the webinar page “Shopping in the age of AI: Redefining stores for a new era”

[Webinar] Shopping in the age of AI: Redefining stores for a new era

Join McKinsey Senior Partners Colleen Baum and Tom Kilroy on July 13 for a discussion on “Shopping in the age of AI: Redefining stores for a new era.” This report explores how AI is reshaping the way consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase products—and what these shifts mean for the future of physical retail.

Register now

An image linking to the webinar page “The next era of consumer competition”

[McKinsey Live] The next era of consumer competition: Four trends leaders can’t ignore

Consumers are changing faster than many companies can keep up. On July 8, Danielle Bozarth and Clarisse Magnin, coauthors of the State of the Consumer 2026 report, will explore the four trends reshaping consumer behavior: the algorithmic advantage, the wellness revolution, the experience economy, and the rise of the resourceful consumer.

Register now

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How companies can strengthen their geopolitical risk readiness

Survey results reveal a widening gap between leaders’ assessment of their risk exposure and responsiveness. Five actions can help leaders prepare for a range of outcomes—not just the worst case.

5 actions for leaders

—Edited by Nadia Wynter, editor, Washington, DC

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In this episode of Brilliant Moves: Coffee with CEOs, McKinsey Senior Partner Gautam Kumra speaks with Vipul Chawla, Group CEO of FairPrice Group, about how Singapore’s largest supermarket retailer is using AI to enhance the customer experience while staying true to its social mission.﻿

﻿﻿Private equity–backed companies that embed AI across operations, products, and new business ventures demonstrate higher growth potential. Alfonso Pulido, Hayk Yegoryan, Joachim Bleys, Stacey Haas, and coauthors outline how AI can drive value in the PE industry.﻿﻿

﻿[Webinar] Shopping in the age of AI: Redefining stores for a new era

﻿[McKinsey Live] The next era of consumer competition: Four trends leaders can’t ignore

﻿How companies can strengthen their geopolitical risk readiness﻿

In this episode of Brilliant Moves: Coffee with CEOs, McKinsey Senior Partner Gautam Kumra speaks with Vipul Chawla, Group CEO of FairPrice Group, about how Singapore’s largest supermarket retailer is using AI to enhance the customer experience while staying true to its social mission.

Private equity–backed companies that embed AI across operations, products, and new business ventures demonstrate higher growth potential. Alfonso Pulido, Hayk Yegoryan, Joachim Bleys, Stacey Haas, and coauthors outline how AI can drive value in the PE industry.

[Webinar] Shopping in the age of AI: Redefining stores for a new era

[McKinsey Live] The next era of consumer competition: Four trends leaders can’t ignore

How companies can strengthen their geopolitical risk readiness