One CEO fired for weak results, the next toppled by scandal, and now the the chairman forced out early. Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, is in turmoil—and investors are demanding nothing short of a turnaround.

So, what went wrong at this 159-year-old giant? And why are so many consumer companies suddenly cleaning house at the top? Let’s break it down.

No break for Nestlé

Nestlé has long been a staple in the consumer goods industry, a global powerhouse and a stock market darling. But lately, the company has consistently underperformed.

Take its volume growth as a stark indicator: Just 0.1% in 2022, a 0.3% decline in 2023, and a meager 0.8% growth in 2024. These figures paint a worrying picture. Nestlé wasn't selling more products; it was relying on price hikes to boost revenue.

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