The consumer market is a dynamic and constantly evolving sector. It encompasses a wide range of industries and products that shape the way people live, shop and experience brands.
We divide this market in Switzerland into three main segments: Consumer Goods, Retail, and Luxury. Each segment presents unique opportunities and challenges for companies. They strive to meet the needs of a diverse and demanding consumer base.
Rapid changes in consumer behavior mean that companies must constantly adapt to stay competitive. This is being driven by digital transformation, sustainability concerns, and the global complexity of supply chains.
In this highly competitive environment, our expertise supports clients navigate these changes with confidence. We provide strategic insight and tailored solutions that enable companies to grow and stay ahead of emerging trends.
Tailoring our expertise
Luxury Market
The luxury market, particularly the world of watches and jewelry, is synonymous with exclusivity, craftsmanship, and innovation. The Swiss watch industry, renowned globally for its heritage and precision, continues to be a symbol of luxury.
Consumers in this market look for products that show timeless elegance, use premium materials, and offer exceptional quality. The market is evolving, with an increasing demand for personalized luxury items and shopping experience, strong brand culture including storytelling and sustainable products. Managing inventory and developing the right distribution strategy, including retail, is key for both brand image and sales optimization in the luxury segment.
We work closely with leading Swiss watchmakers and luxury brands to help them meet the challenges of modern luxury. These include integrating artificial intelligence into production, maintaining exclusivity in the digital age, and appealing to a variety of generations being more socially conscious consumers.
Retail Industry
The retail industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by digital disruption and changing consumer expectations. Physical shops must now integrate with online platforms to create seamless omnichannel experiences that meet today's consumer demands.
The retail landscape is changing due to the growth of e-commerce, impacting points of sale, merchandising optimization and inventory management. Artificial intelligence is being used for customer personalization. There is also pressure to deliver goods faster and more efficiently.
Retailers face the challenge of optimizing their supply chains to remain competitive while also embracing sustainability.
Our team works with clients across the retail industry to help them adapt to these changes. We help improve the customer experience, leverage digital tools, and ensure operational efficiency.
Consumer Goods
The consumer goods industry serves a vast and varied customer base with everyday essentials. From food and beverages to household items, consumer goods companies must balance affordability, quality, and sustainability.
Consumers today are more informed and expect brands to not only meet their functional needs. They also want brands to reflect their values, particularly in areas such as sustainability and ethical sourcing.
For companies in this sector, innovation in product development and supply chain management is key to maintaining market share.
We support consumer goods manufacturers and distributors optimize their operations, reduce costs, and develop new products that align with shifting consumer demands.
Unlocking insights: addressing market trends and industry challenges
In the fast-evolving consumer market, businesses must anticipate and respond to market trends, consumer demands, and operational challenges. Below are some of the most pressing challenges faced by companies today:
Sustainability and ESG pressures in consumer markets
Sustainability has become a top priority for consumers in the consumer goods, retail, and luxury sectors.
Companies are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. These including environmentally friendly materials, implementing ESG compliance frameworks, and ensuring traceability throughout their supply chains.
To meet both regulatory demands and consumer expectations, companies need to be transparent about their sourcing of raw materials, reduce their environmental footprint, and adhere to strict reporting standards.
At the same time, brands must balance sustainability initiatives with profitability, requiring innovation in both product development and logistics. In the luxury industry in particular, effective tracing of raw materials such as gold and precious metals is essential for maintaining quality, ensuring authenticity, complying with regulation and enhancing brand value.
Navigating growth: organic expansion vs. M&A
As companies look for ways to expand, the choice between organic growth and growth through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is pivotal. In consumer markets, companies often acquire smaller players to expand their market reach or enter new geographies.
In the luxury industry, it can be strategic for companies to acquire their key suppliers in order to increase control over their supply chain and operations.
At the same time, companies that focus on organic growth must carefully scale their operations. They often invest in new technologies and distribution strategies. Balancing these approaches requires strategic planning and thorough due diligence. Doing so will ensure that both organic and acquisition-driven growth are in line with your long-term goals.
Building resilient supply chains in an uncertain world
Supply chain disruptions have highlighted vulnerabilities across the consumer goods industries, luxury segment, and retail market. Geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, and pandemics have exposed the fragility of global supply chains. They are forcing companies to rethink their strategies.
From securing raw material sourcing to managing complex supplier relationships, businesses must build more resilient and flexible supply chains.
Adopting digital supply chain management tools can provide greater visibility and control. Simultaneously, focusing on sustainability and traceability helps align operations with evolving consumer and regulatory demands.
Optimizing distribution strategies: wholesale vs. retail
In today’s highly competitive landscape, companies must carefully consider their distribution strategies, balancing wholesale and retail positioning.
For luxury brands, maintaining exclusivity through selective retail partnerships is essential. Meanwhile, optimizing omnichannel and e-commerce strategies is critical for retail and consumer goods companies.
Choosing the right distribution mix is key to maximizing market reach and profitability. When considering a strategy, it is crucial to understand the target market, maintain product quality, and adapt to changing market conditions, including changing consumer preferences for both physical and online shopping experiences.
Digital transformation driving customer experience
The shift toward digital technologies is reshaping the consumer market. Companies are leveraging ERP systems and customer data management tools to enhance operations and personalize customer experiences.
Whether it's in the luxury industry, or in retail and consumer goods, digital transformation is critical and state-of-the-art systems are necessary to drive value.
Companies must also ensure robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive customer data, while maintaining seamless omnichannel experiences across platforms. To remain competitive, businesses must invest in these technologies while ensuring consistency in customer experience, both online and offline.
Our capabilities
At KPMG, we provide tailored services to help companies in the luxury segment, retail and consumer goods sectors achieve their strategic goals. From digital transformation to ESG compliance, we support our clients on their journey to excellence.
Below are the key services we offer to address the challenges faced by companies in these industries.
Our thought leadership and research
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Whether you're a luxury watchmaker looking to innovate or a global retailer facing operational challenges, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve.
