Complimentary Gartner® report
Top Trends for Consumer Goods CIOs in 2026
Top 5 strategic technology trends that Consumer Goods CIOs must drive to support profitable business growth in 2026
Get complimentary access to essential Gartner® research, stay updated to relevant technology trends for the Consumer Goods industry
March 6th, 2026
By Ellen Eichhorn, Tom Nolan, Michelle DeClue
This Gartner® report outlines five critical trends for Consumer Goods CIOs in 2026:
- Multi-agent autonomous business ecosystems – from chatbots to autonomous task execution
- Insights through adaptive intelligence – on emerging, active and regressing consumer trends
- Expanding digital discoverability – with GEO search and generative AI
- Intelligent applications and the future of work – thinking skills to complement AI in the workplace
- Modernization and agile governance – innnovative and adaptive
Learn what CPG CIOs must learn to drive technology and process shifts to support profitable business growth in 2026.
Gartner®, Top Trends for Consumer Goods CIOs in 2026, By Ellen Eichhorn, Tom Nolan, Michelle DeClue, 6 March 2026
GARTNER is a trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.
FAQs: Strategic Technology Trends for Consumer Goods CIOs in 2026
Why is agentic AI considered a game-changer for CPG companies in 2026?
Consumer Goods companies are rapidly moving beyond simple chatbots and GenAI experimentation toward fully autonomous business models — where AI agents don’t just advise, they act. The implications for operational efficiency, decision-making speed, and competitive positioning are significant. Download the report to understand what this shift means for your organisation and how to get started.
How are changes in consumer search behaviour affecting CPG brands' digital strategy?
Traditional SEO is no longer enough. The report outlines how the rise of AI-powered search platforms — used by millions of consumers today and projected to grow to 90 million users by 2027 — is forcing Consumer Goods companies to rethink how their products get discovered online. Learn which new optimisation strategies CIOs must prioritise to stay visible and competitive.
What does "modernisation" actually mean for a Consumer Goods CIO in 2026?
In an era where AI can generate answers fast — but incorrectly, without the right data foundation — modernising legacy systems, governance models, and work processes is no longer optional. The report details why modernisation is the critical enabler behind every other trend, and what concrete steps CIOs should take to build an AI-ready enterprise.