The consumer sector is vast, with household consumption globally totalling €11 tr and representing 60% - 70% of most developed economies.  We focus our consumer investing in 4 key areas: food & beverages, leisure, retail and consumer goods. 

Each of these segments are effected by a number of global and economic factors including rising levels of general wealth and an ageing population in most markets.  Most spectacularly we are seeing the rise of a new consumer class in India and China.  In India alone there is a middle class of some 400m people.

In addition many consumer markets are seeing some strong trends:-

• Time poor consumers seeking convenience
• A desire for a healthier, more natural and environmentally friendly lifestyle
• A polarisation of markets between high end brands and value brands with the middle being squeezed

At 3i we have been investors in the consumer sector for many years and have a portfolio of over 100 investments.  Most of our investments are through our buyout and growth capital businesses in Europe but increasingly we are making investments in the sector in the US and Asia.

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