PA Consulting Brand Impact Index finds dependability top driver of consumer engagement, underfunded by brands

• PA Consulting’s 2026 Brand Impact Index flagged a widening gap between brand investment priorities and consumer experience drivers.
• Dependable delivery ranked the strongest driver of engagement, while executives deprioritized it in spending and strategy.
• Cost pressures reshaped demand: 87% of consumers reported impact; 82% changed household and grocery buying; 47% bought fewer items.
• Brand execution risk rose: 45% of leaders reported their organizations adapt quickly when consumer preferences shift.
• AI spending accelerated, with 75% scaling investment, while consumer comfort with AI interactions fell to 29% from 60% in 2025.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. PA Consulting Group Holdings Ltd. published the original content used to generate this news brief on July 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.