Bloomberg Surveillance · Monday, August 10, 2026
Heather Rice of KPMG warned that consumer staples companies risk alienating customers if they pass on price increases, especially with the rise of private labels. She explained that in the digital age, a small price increase could cause consumers to switch to cheaper store brands, potentially leading to a permanent loss of customers. Brands that don't offer perceived value are particularly vulnerable.
“But I would say I don't. I don't think we're seeing companies pass the price on to consumers, especially in the staple market.”
“So if you raise prices, you potentially could lose out on consumers and become invisible and the digital age.”
“And if if you increase your price just a little bit and you cause a consumer to look down grab the private label, yep, you're at risk of maybe losing a customer forever.”