Outside insights

Where do readers live? Defined as adults who read books two or more times per week, GfK MRI has the answers. One intriguing note—eight of the top 10 are in cold climates.

India is in a sticky moment, with growth slowing and inflation rising. How are consumers adapting? And what can companies do to ride out the storm? Raj Hosahalli, an expert with Nielsen, a McKinsey partner, suggests some answers in this video and analysis. One surprise: CPG companies can actually benefit.

Jennifer Aaker of the Stanford Graduate School of Business speaks at McKinsey’s Chief Marketing & Sales Officer Forum event in Stanford about how brands can connect with consumers. Among her topics: Trust, health, getting attention, and throwing brand parties.

Gordon Orr, a director in McKinsey’s Shanghai office, offers 10 predictions about China in 2012. Two of them: Real estate will stagnate and green investment will thrive. Read more

James Russo (VP, Global Insights, at Nielsen), leads a discussion on subjects including how to reach an increasingly polarized market; defining value; and targeting powerful consumer segments.

In an interview with Fast Company, Unilever CEO Paul Polman discusses how the consumer goods giant is trying to change consumer behavior. In a phrase, it isn’t easy.

After weeks of angry debate, the Indian government announced on January 11 that foreign companies will be allowed to invest 100% in single-brand retail outlets and chains, up from 51%. That works for branded chains like Starbucks and Gucci—but still excludes stores like Wal-Mart and Carrefour.

McKinsey's quarterly survey  shows that executives’ views about the global economy are more optimistic than in June—but gloomier than in September.

The CMO Survey asked top marketers: “For your largest market, rank your customers’ top three priorities.” Here are the results over the last three tumultuous years.

Is India rolling back the recent legislation that would have liberalized the rules for foreign retailers? No, says the government. Yes, says the left-of-center opposition. But the bill is certainly suspended and the argument is fierce, as this Indian news video and analysis makes clear.

Even though evidence is mounting that the customer decision journey (CDJ) covers a dizzying array of digital touch points, many companies aren’t there. Internet advertising represents 15.8% of global advertising spend, trailing TV (40.2%), and even newspaper advertising (20.2%). McKinsey’s Ewan Duncan and colleagues discuss what to do. From the Chief Marketing & Sales Officer Forum website.

McKinsey principal, Whit Alexander, speaks about how businesses can use the art and science of the CDJ to better target customers. From the Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Forum website

Banks, restaurants, and retailers of all kinds have a plan to sell you everything from your next meal to your next mortgage, all from the comfort of your cell phone. McKinsey’s Dave Edelman and Jack Stephenson, head of mobile marketing and ecommerce at JPMorgan Chase, spoke with McKinsey's What Matters about the future of mobile marketing.

With up to 3 billion people set to join the global middle class in the next 20 years, how in the world can their needs for energy, materials, food and water be met? Read the 209-page report and listen to McKinsey directors  Richard Dobbs and Jeremy Oppenheim discuss these challenges.

Everyone values loyalty—presidents, generals, friends and, yes, corporations. US companies spend $50 billion a year on loyalty programs alone. And if you get it right, loyalty programs can generate as much as 20 percent of a company’s profits. McKinsey’s Tariq Shaukat examines why, and how, so many companies get it so wrong.

McKinsey consumer experts, John Copeland and John Forsyth, explain "How to turn consumer insights into profitable action" in this new blog for Forbes

The web is supposed to make shopping easier. This funny video from Google Analytics shows why it often isn't.