{"id":557239,"date":"2025-09-29T12:37:24","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T12:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nielseniq.com\/?post_type=insight&p=557239"},"modified":"2026-04-20T17:21:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T17:21:41","slug":"consumer-outlook-guide-to-2026","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/nielseniq.com\/global\/en\/insights\/report\/2025\/consumer-outlook-guide-to-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Consumer Outlook: Guide to 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span>
\n
\n

Welcome to your strategic guide to 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Caution is the new normal<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The global outlook for 2025<\/a> saw a shift from cautious to intentional consumption. For 2026, continued volatility has deeply ingrained a lingering caution into consumer psychology, which is impacting spending. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, areas of opportunity and growth remain amid this emotional battleground. In this analytical assessment of the state of consumers, we’ll help equip you to win with cautious yet hopeful consumers over the next 12 to 18 months—and beyond. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, NIQ’s Consumer Outlook<\/em> report marries survey and purchase data to deliver the most comprehensive outlook possible. We uncover the divide between what consumers say and what they do, along with disruptions impacting the retail<\/a> industry. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caution may be the new normal, but our Consumer Outlook: Guide to 2026<\/em> gives manufacturers and retailers the insights and takeaways they need to not just keep pace with—but stay ahead of—whatever comes our way in the year ahead. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\"Marta<\/span>
\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Marta Cyhan-Bowles<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief Communications Officer & Head of Global Marketing COE, NIQ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
Bio<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Marta Cyhan-Bowles is Chief Communications Officer & Head of Global Marketing COE at NIQ. A proven marketing and communications leader, Marta specializes in guiding teams toward long-term customer success through data-driven rigor and a personal bias for innovative campaigns that captivate, engage, and ultimately drive measurable growth. As head of the Global Marketing COE, she leads the charge in unifying the global team at NIQ across communication and thought leadership efforts to unlock transformational value for C-suite leaders across the retail and manufacturing sectors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>
\n

Key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n