The Internet, not yet 20 years on from its emergence into the consumer mainstream, is evolving as fast as ever. McKinsey's survey of 18,000 Americans has identified six key trends that will define the near future.

 

Mexico consumers are conflicted. On the one hand, only 16 percent of those surveyed by McKinsey believed that they were doing better economically; on the other, 48 percent are optimistic about the future.

 

In McKinsey's latest survey, we find that US consumers are mildly more optimistic—and that their shopping behavior has changed fundamentally.

 

Businesses looking to engage Brazil’s digital enthusiasts face a big problem: 65 percent of them are dissatisfied with their online purchase experience. Here is what companies need to do.

 

Perhaps surprisingly, the evidence shows that US retail banks are, by and large, satisfying their customers. That’s not enough.

 

New research from McKinsey finds that US consumer satisfaction has improved across the board since 2009. That should not necessarily be cause for self-congratulation, though: A large measure of the improvement is due to broader macro-economic factors.

 

Who are Brazil's online shoppers? And how do they use the Internet? McKinsey asked thousands of Brazilians those questions. Here are the answers.

 

Consumers are buying electronic devices by the boatload—but retailers are not smiling.

 

McKinsey estimates that about 3 million Brazilians can afford luxury goods. Here is how to reach this ambitious and surprisingly youthful market.

 

Europe is in crisis; the US is in the doldrums; China is worried about a property bubble; India has hit a rough patch. But Brazil is thriving. In the first of two articles on Latin America's largest economy, we look at what makes the middle class tick.

 

Brazil pharmacy retailers have every reason to be optimistic, with strong growth and a surging economy. But there will also be a shakeout. The winners will be those who adapt to three key trends.

 

American consumers have been using coupons with new enthusiasm. But is this a good thing for companies?

 

Digital, big data, ethnicity, polarization and other trends that are shaping the US retail landscape.

 

Six months ago, Americans thought they had turned the economic corner. Fewer were worried about losing their jobs and they were quietly optimistic that the worst was over. Now they are not so sure.

Retailers are aggressively pursuing Latin America’s growing middle class. To succeed, they need to show that they value their customers, not just their money.

What are marketers thinking about the US economy? And their own company's prospects? A unique survey has the answers.

 

The CEO of Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo, Daniel Servitje, reflects on the growth path of one of the world’s biggest packaged goods companies.

 

Hammered by recession and still uncertain about the economy, consumers are getting pickier. Just look at auto insurance.

Is the worst over for the American economy? That is what consumers seem to be saying with their wallets—but their optimism is cautious.

America's Hispanics control more disposable income than any other minority group. What should brands do to reach them?

 

Should consumer-goods companies be going into Brazil? Or expanding there? Or waiting-and-seeing?

The economic news has been guardedly optimistic. But how are U.S. consumers behaving?

Now that the consumer-goods sector is no longer a safety play for investors, companies need a new blueprint to generate shareholder value. McKinsey identifies five imperatives.

The economists say the recession is over, but American consumers are not buying it—literally.

Direct sales of cosmetics are thriving in the world's most beauty-conscious country. Here's what you need to know.

In spite of the different facets and peculiarities of this “fragmented trade,” the opportunities and challenges are similar.

Brazil's consumers adore the Web—but business has yet to crack the digital code.

Buffeted by recession, many American consumers started shopping down-market. Will they return to more-expensive premium goods when the economy picks up?