General Mills' Accelerate Strategy: Five Years of Progress and Future Growth

General Mills, Inc. (GIS) recently presented its five-year progress on the Accelerate strategy at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) 2025 Conference. The company highlighted its sustainable growth and shareholder returns, demonstrating the success of its strategic choices. Here's a look at how General Mills' Accelerate strategy has contributed to its financial performance and the opportunities for further growth.

Key Metrics Indicating Success

1. Financial Results: General Mills has met or exceeded its long-term financial goals since the formal launch of the Accelerate strategy in 2019.
2. Brand Investment: The company has increased its media investment by nearly 40 percent from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2024, with plans to increase it again in fiscal 2025. This investment has helped maintain and grow the company's iconic brands, with nine brands generating more than $1 billion in retail sales each.
3. Innovation: General Mills has increased its contributions from innovation in recent years and has a robust pipeline of planned innovation, including several new launches expected to be significant growth contributors in fiscal 2026.
4. Digital Infrastructure: The company has doubled its investment in Digital, Data, and Technology since 2019, transforming its enterprise foundations and capabilities to unleash its scale for growth and profitability.
5. Shareholder Returns: General Mills has returned over $11 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases since fiscal 2019, demonstrating strong margin growth and cash flow conversion.

Sustaining Growth and Future Opportunities

To sustain its growth and continue to drive shareholder value, General Mills can focus on the following areas:

1. Boldly Building Brands: Continue to invest in leading brands, adapting marketing strategies to reach new consumers and maintain brand relevance.
2. Reshaping the Portfolio: Regularly review and reshape the portfolio to focus on high-growth, high-margin businesses and divest underperforming ones.
3. Innovation: Maintain a strong focus on innovation, staying ahead of consumer trends and preferences by continuously introducing new products and improving existing ones.
4. Digital Infrastructure: Continue to invest in digital infrastructure to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changing consumer behaviors.
5. Sustainability and ESG: Enhance the company's commitment to sustainability and ESG initiatives, as consumers increasingly demand products from responsible and ethical companies.



In conclusion, General Mills' Accelerate strategy has driven sustainable growth and top-tier shareholder returns over the past five years. By continuing to invest in its brands, innovate, and build a strong digital infrastructure, General Mills is well-positioned to maintain its competitive edge and drive long-term growth. As an investor, keeping an eye on General Mills' progress and opportunities can be a rewarding strategy.