Big Food Big Moves: Who's next in the big CPG shake-up

This article was originally published by Confectionary News.

Major food and beverage companies like Nestlé, Mars, Unilever, and Kraft Heinz are driving a wave of mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring that will reshape the global consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in 2026. These moves include large-scale layoffs, brand spin-offs, and strategic partnerships aimed at boosting growth amid economic pressures, shifting consumer preferences, and sustainability demands.

Issy Perez, Managing Partner at Boyden, says, "Traditional CPGs have been forced to quickly identify and be open to taking minority states in emerging brands". Premiumization, health-focused products, and innovation in confectionery are emerging as key growth areas, while mega-deals such as Mars’ bid for Kellanova signal intensified competition and consolidation across the sector. 

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