Post by Andrea Bielli

Volume growth starts with portfolio choices! AB InBev’s return to volume growth wasn’t an accident. It was a choice. After 11 consecutive quarters of volume decline, AB InBev finally returned to positive volume growth in Q1 2026. And the reason goes beyond execution. The company is making deliberate portfolio choices about where to play and where to invest. And the results suggest that AB InBev's deliberate focus on megabrands and beer alternatives is starting to pay off. This aligns perfectly with the company CMO, Marcel Marcondes, statement: "It is a conscious, intentional change, moving from an inorganic growth algorithm into an organic growth algorithm." The lesson goes beyond beer. Sustainable volume growth is rarely the result of short-term tactics. It comes from making clear choices: → Which categories deserve disproportionate investment → Which brands can recruit new consumers and scale penetration → Which SKUs strengthen relevance rather than add complexity. Volume follows penetration. And penetration follows focus. AB InBev's results are another reminder that long-term value creation starts with disciplined portfolio management, not with trying to win everywhere at once. 📩 Subscribe to the Sevendots monthly newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d7VrzvkE. Sevendots is a global team of passionate senior industry experts helping companies navigate the CPG industry transformation, identifying sustainable growth strategies for the businesses and the people they serve. #CPG #ConsumerGoods #ABInBev #PortfolioStrategy #VolumeGrowth #BrandStrategy #Penetration #GrowthStrategy #Innovation #CategoryManagement