It’s inevitable that we’ll see lasting behavioral change as a result of COVID-19. But determining which of the behaviors adopted during the pandemic will stick and which will disappear once restrictions come to an end is less clear-cut.
Catch up with the findings of Kadence’s latest study by watching the recordings below. The study, powered by Dynata with 3,000 consumers in 10 markets (US, UK, China, Japan, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam), is designed to help brands understand what represents a permanent, versus temporary, change in behaviors.
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Looking ahead to the trends that will shape the coming year is a critical exercise for any business. But in 2021, this is perhaps more significant than ever. Consumer behavior has been transformed as a result of Covid-19, as many shifts in behavior have accelerated.
To understand the key trends to watch in Asia, we spoke to trend watching experts across our 8 offices in the region. Watch the video to hear their thoughts, or download the full report.
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Consumer Trends in Asia: 2021
Download the full report to learn how 5 key trends are playing out across Asia, the implications of this for businesses and success stories of brands successfully capitalising on the trends:
Looking ahead to the trends that will shape the coming year is a critical exercise for any business. But in 2021, this is perhaps more significant than ever. Consumer behavior has been transformed as a result of Covid-19, as many shifts in behavior have accelerated. This blog post summarizes 5 key trends from our latest report Consumer Trends in Asia: 2021
- Vocal for local – Consumers are looking to support brands closer to home
- Looking for action – Consumers want to see brands having a positive impact on the community
- Racing towards a digital future – Online shopping is booming, ushering in new innovation
- Seeking value – Consumers are prioritizing value and saving more
- Health is wealth – We’re seeing a marked change in diets as consumers focus on health
Read the summary below or download the full report to learn more about consumer trends in Asia in 2021 and what your business can do to capitalize on them. It’s packed full of insight and analysis from local experts across our 8 Asian offices – China, India, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan – and contains inspiring examples of brands successfully tapping into these trends.
1. Vocal for local – Consumers are looking to support brands closer to home
The economic turmoil of Covid-19 has made consumers more conscious than ever of the impact of their purchase power. In light of this, we expect one of the big consumer trends in Asia in 2021 to be supporting local brands.
In some markets this is manifesting itself in a wave of support for national, rather than global brands. India and China are two markets where this is happening. In India, Prime Minister Modi’s strategy to aid economic recovery in the country is to focus on local manufacturing and supply chains and to encourage Indian consumers to support Indian brands. In response local brands have leveraged this messaging in their marketing campaigns, further promoting the concept. In China, we also see consumers looking to purchase from homegrown brands rather than global companies. This trend was already underway, due to international trade tensions and the growing popularity of Chinese brands, but it has been accelerated further by Covid-19.
In other Asian markets, we’re seeing the emergence of hyper-localization. Now spending more time at home and recognizing the companies that helped them during the height of the pandemic, we are seeing consumers looking to support businesses in their local neighborhoods through challenging economic times. This is very much a continuation of the behaviors of the behaviors we saw at the onset of the pandemic. In Japan, for instance, the 応援消費 (consume to support) movement went viral, and whilst in Indonesia, consumers were encouraged to #belidariteman (buy from a friend). This sentiment is likely to be important in 2021 and beyond, particularly in the food and drink industry as our research Understanding the impact of Covid-19: Food industry trends for 2020 and beyond indicates. When asked which of the behaviors they’d adopted in the pandemic that they’d continue in future, 42% of Asian consumers told us they plan to continue supporting local food and drink brands, the second highest of any behavior.
2. Looking for action – Consumers want to see brands having a positive impact on the community
When we think ahead to 2021, we mustn’t underestimate the impact of the pandemic. Covid-19 has caused many people to reconsider what is important to them and this has extended to their relationship with brands. Our Brands Exposed research, exploring how Covid-19 has changed expectations of marketing and brands, found that 63% of Asian consumers think that brands need to re-evaluate their role in society in a post-Covid world.
There’s also an expectation that brands need to do more to support the communities they serve, a trend that is more prevalent in Asia than it is in the West. 63% of Asian consumers believe that organizations have a responsibility to contribute financially to their communities, compared to 43% in the US and 51% in the UK. They’re also appetite to see brands going further, leading meaningful initiatives in their communities – 58% of Asian consumers believe this to be importance, compared to just 41% in the US and 46% in the UK.
So what does this mean for brands looking to make their mark in Asia? One thing’s for sure – brands need to be prioritizing actions over words, providing evidence of the steps they are taking to make a difference and the impact that this is having. And this isn’t just confined to the B2C space. Our recent work with Bloomberg understanding the attitudes of business decision makers across 6 markets in Asia and Australia found that 56% are looking for brands that are protecting the underprivileged and vulnerable and a further 56% want to see brands using their resources to give back to society.
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3. Racing towards a digital future- online shopping is booming, ushering in new innovation
Seismic regional and global events have often act as a catalyst for behavioral change and innovation – and Covid-19 is no exception.
In response to regulations, businesses and consumers have adopted online solutions at a rapid rate. In some markets like India this has been accompanied by governmental action to provide digital connectivity in remote rural areas and to low income groups, enabling the delivery of basic services during this time. As such, some demographic groups have experienced the benefits of online shopping for the first time.
Others, already accustomed to shopping online, are doing this more and spending in new categories such as grocery and personal care according to a survey of digital consumers in 6 Asian markets from Bain and Facebook. The research suggests that this represents a permanent shift in behaviors. 83% of those surveyed said they are likely to continue increased spending online after the pandemic. These behaviors aren’t just confined to younger people. There are significant numbers (35%) of older people – aged 55 and over – that share this sentiment.
In response to the rapid growth of online shopping we’re seeing innovation in this space. From shopstreaming in China to a new breed of influencers in Japan, you can read more in the full report.
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4. Seeking value – Consumers are prioritizing value and saving more
The Bain and Facebook study also provides interesting insights into consumers’ attitudes towards personal finance in this period. 57% of the consumers surveyed are prioritizing value for money in their purchases. They are also saving more. The study found that 60% are planning to put more money aside in future and that Asian consumers are two times more likely to start saving more after the crisis than their American counterparts. We see this reflected in our own data, as consumers cut back on non-essentials in Thailand.
Against this backdrop, companies across all sectors will have to work harder to get consumers to part with their cash, clearly articulating the benefits and value of their products, and focusing on building customer loyalty to avoid switching.
5. Health is wealth – We’re seeing a marked change in diets as consumers focus on health
Health has been a big focus in 2020 and we expect this to continue, with it being one of the big consumers trends in Asia to watch for 2021. Our research with Bloomberg reflects this, with 67% of business decision makers across Asia and Australia telling us that taking care of their personal and family’s health is more important than ever.
This is playing out in a number of ways, first and foremost in diets. Our report, Understanding the impact of Covid-19: Food industry trends for 2020 and beyond, found that 59% of Asian consumers believe that what they eat and drink has changed from the better, with only 6% stating their diet has changed for the worse. This represents a marked difference to Western markets – where just 24% of Americans and 34% of Brits believe what they’re eating has improved. In line with this renewed focus on health, the majority of consumers are also cooking more for themselves and consuming more fruit and vegetables than before the onset of the pandemic. This indicates a opportunity for food and beverage brands to develop healthier versions of their products and support consumers in cooking healthy meals from scratch – be that through recipes or product launches.
But health goes beyond just diet. There’s also a greater emphasis on fitness and on mental health, with PwC reporting that in China, 87% of consumers are focused on taking care of their mental health. There are numerous opportunities for brands to support consumers in these areas, which we analysis in detail in the full report.
To learn more, download the full report: Consumer Trends Asia: 2021
To learn more about how these trends are playing out in each market, our analysis of the implications of these trends and success stories of brands making inroad in these areas, download the full report.
Alternatively, if you’d like our support in understanding the changes taking place in your key markets and how you can capitalize on these, please get in touch.
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The arrival of Covid-19 has brought with it dramatic changes in food and drink purchase patterns. Shelf-stable food like pasta, rice and canned goods flew off the shelves. Immune system boosting ingredients were top of the shopping list. But which behaviors will stick and what are the longer term food industry trends to watch?
We spoke to consumers in 10 countries, as well as our own internal food and beverage experts to understand the global picture and the local nuances and trends in each market. We wanted to understand how people are eating and drinking in this new normal, and what implications this has for the future.
We’ve summarized the key global and local trends in this blog post but for the full findings, download the report: Understanding the Impact of Covid-19: Food Industry Trends for 2020 and Beyond.
Global food industry trends for 2020 and beyond
The pandemic has improved eating and drinking habits across the world
Over half (53%) of the consumers we spoke to told us that since the onset of the pandemic, what they eat and drink has changed for the better. Some countries like India and Vietnam have seen a big swing towards healthier diets, whereas others like the US, UK and Japan have been more consistent. Overall, very few people (just 6%) believe their diet has changed for the worse.
People are cooking more at home and they’re eating more fresh fruit and vegetables
With more time at home, and health high on the agenda, it’s unsurprising that half of consumers globally (51%) are now cooking more for themselves and their families. This trend is more prevalent in some Asian markets, such as India, China, Thailand and Vietnam, than it is in the US, UK or Japan. But even in this market, consumers have found an innovative workaround to sourcing home-cooked meals. Over the past few months, professional chef / dietician delivery services like Sharedine have boomed in Japan. This is where a personal chef will come to a customer’s house and cook a number of dishes from scratch that can be reheated over the coming days. The service even includes grocery delivery!
At a global level, people are also more conscious of what they eat, with a real focus on fresh produce. Half of consumers globally (51%) tell us they are eating more fresh fruit and vegetables. This is more significant than any other dietary changes, such as eating more grains and nuts (adopted by 29%) or eating more meat-free products or dairy and cheese (practiced by just 16% and 13% respectively).
Health-conscious consumers are looking to boost their immune systems and brands are responding
Even now long after the onset of the pandemic, immune-boosting solutions are still at the top of consumers’ shopping lists. Consumers in markets like India are looking to natural ingredients. But others, like those in Thailand and China are making use of a new range of RTD products that have sprung up to meet this need. The “water plus” category has boomed in Thailand, with brands such as Yanhee Vitamin Water, B’lue, VITADAY Vitamin Water and PH Plus 8.5 Alkaline Water coming to the fore. In China, product launches have included milk with immune globulin, Vitamin C fruit tea and Chinese jujube drinks.
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Worries about the origin of food are one of the key food industry trends for 2020 and beyond
When asked which of the behaviors they’d adopted in the pandemic that they’d continue in future, being conscious of where the produce I consume originates from for safety / health reasons came out top. We see this reflected in consumer behavior. Some people in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia have moved away from visiting wet markets, opting instead for mini supermarkets or online solutions. In some markets, there are also significant groups of consumers that are opting to eat more meat-free products, perceived to be less prone to infection. This amounts to 32% of consumers in Vietnam, 28% in India and 23% in China. With these concerns top of mind for many consumers, it’s the brands that prioritize hygiene and safety that will come out on top. We’re already seeing some great examples of this happening, with the help of technology. One example is Haidilao. This hotpot restaurant in Beijing has installed smart robotic arms to prepare and deliver raw meat and fresh vegetables. It’s also introduced technology to track and dispose of food that has passed its expiry date.
Supporting local is a key consideration for many consumers
Across the world people are doing their bit to keep local food and beverage brands afloat. This looks set to continue in future. When asked which of the behaviors they’d adopted in the pandemic that they’d continue, supporting local produce and food and beverage brands came out second highest.
In Japan, this trend has manifested itself in the 応援消費 (Consume To Support) movement. This initiative that went viral, ranking first amongst the top 10 consumer trends in the first half of 2020 according to Rakuten, an online retail giant and Nikkei, a flagship financial newspaper. The term was first created and gained popularity in 2011 when a 3.11 earthquake shook the eastern part of Japan and people showed their support through making purchases from the damaged areas. In the pandemic, we saw a resurgence of this. Consumers purchased from the food and beverage brands hardest hit – farms, manufacturers and restaurants with excess stock – thanks to innovative apps like Pocket Marche and TABETE.
We’ve seen similar movements in other markets. In Indonesia #belidariteman (buy from a friend) was promoted by the Association of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs (HIPMI) encouraging people to support local. In the Philippines, the traditional value of “Bayanihan” which translates as “spirit of communal unity” has seen Filipinos shopping from local food and beverage brands in these difficult times.
With local being an important purchase consideration for consumers both now and in the future, brands will do well to emphasize their heritage and role in the community going forwards.
Consumers are looking to food and drink as escapism to create occasions at home
As people spend more time at home, there’s a real opportunity for brands to help consumers create special occasions with their loved ones through the power of food and drink. This could be through providing inspiration for at-home events and special recipes for consumers to cook themselves. It could also be achieved by creating products, services and experiences that can be delivered at home. There are some great examples of this emerging around the world. In Singapore, bar and restaurant, Tippling Club, is offering virtual cook-along sessions with its in-house chef. In Hong Kong, Café Earl Grey is delivering restaurant signatures with simple instructions to cook and assemble at home. These dishes are accompanied by an extensive selection of curated wines and bottled cocktails. And in the Philippines, restaurants are delivering uncooked ingredients so that people can cook their favorite dishes at home.
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Online shopping is on the rise but this is playing out differently in different markets
Food and beverage brands have had to innovate to survive in the wake of local restrictions. Online has played a critical role in this transformation. Consumers across markets have experienced the benefits of online shopping first hand, accelerating its growth. But this has played out differently in different markets. In Vietnam, ghost kitchens have been set up to meet the growing demand for meal delivery. In Indonesia, a jastip service allows consumers to make and receive orders from local wet markets via WhatsApp. And in the UK, where online grocery is more well established, growing numbers of older customers are moving their grocery shopping online. In 2019, just 8% of over 55s in the UK had bought food and essentials online. This figure has now soared to 25% according to the How Britain Shops Online report.
Country specific food industry trends
Food industry trends in the UK
One of the key global trends we see in the UK is the shift towards supporting local. Office workers in the UK have been encouraged to work from home for the majority of 2020, meaning that food and drink spend has been concentrated closer to home – and we expect to see this continue as working patterns shift as a result of the pandemic. According to Mastercard data, it’s been people shopping and eating out locally, rather than spending money in Central London, that has driven the economic recovery in London. Other key trends in this market include the growing number of silver surfers that are embracing to online grocery shopping as mentioned above and rise of at-home food and drink occasions. As in other markets, brands are anticipating consumers will spend more time at home, and catering to this with services such as online cooking classes and delivery collaborations.
Food industry trends in the US
We expect to see consumers continuing to eat and drink more at home in the US too, as many office workers continue to remotely, and city dwellers flee to the suburbs. Whilst consumers are enjoying cooking at home and planning to do more of it in future, they’re are also ordering more takeout, and looking to meal kit companies for ease and convenience. Attitudes towards health in the US depart from the global trend. Whilst 53% of consumers globally tell us that what they eat or drink has changed for the better, in America only 25% think this is the case. In the US, consumers are viewing health more holistically. Whilst some are looking to food and drink to support physical health, others are using food as a tool to support their mental health, with two thirds of Americans eating more comfort food than before.
Food industry trends in Singapore
Global trends such as the rise of online shopping and a growing focus on health and wellness are reflected in Singapore. In fact, an AIA survey conducted prior to Phase Two of safe reopening found that Singaporeans are allocating the highest portion of their expenses on healthier meal choices. One trend that is more specific to Singapore is the growing importance of sustainability. When it comes to sustainability efforts, Singapore falls behind many other nations in terms of recycling, plastic-use reduction, and food wastage reduction, and this has come into sharper focus as a result of the pandemic, alongside more recent government efforts to achieve a Zero Waste Singapore. In response, we’re starting to see the rise of more sustainable packaging, “ugly” produce and bulk food stores.
Food industry trends in Vietnam
Vietnam has seen big changes in the channels people use for shopping. Online meal delivery has boomed as restaurants have pivoted, and ever more Vietnamese consumers are turning to the mini supermarket, as worries about food safety and origin come to the fore. In line with this, organic food is also growing in popularity, although high prices mean that at present this trend is confined to the middle class.
Food industry trends in China
In China and Hong Kong, global trends around health and eating at home are particularly important, with 86% of Chinese respondents acknowledging their desire to eat at home even after the pandemic ends according to Nielsen. Concerns about food safety are also front of mind, and in response we’re seeing a growing trend towards automation and contactless processes in manufacturing and distribution.
Food industry trends in Thailand
As in Vietnam, meal delivery in Thailand has boomed, accelerating the adoption of online and mobile banking and contactless payment methods. The global trend towards an increasing emphasis on health is evident in Thailand, too with 71% cooking more for themselves and their families and 62% consuming more fresh fruit and vegetables. Many Thai consumers are also looking towards beverages as a way of looking after their health. Drinks containing Vitamin C have seen 47% growth compared
to last year.
Food industry trends in India
Like their counterparts in Thailand, Indian consumers are looking for immune boosting products, but many of the specific trends we see playing out in this market are driven by food safety concerns. As mentioned previously, a significant number of Indian consumers are eating more meat-free food due to worries about infection, and they’re also buying more packaged food. Against this backdrop, street food vendors have had to pivot, elevating their offering, leading to the emergence of gourmet street food.
Food industry trends in Japan
As mentioned above Japanese consumers have been quick to support local brands through the 応援消費 (Consume To Support) movement. This is a trend that we believe will persist in Japan, albeit not as prominently as it does on a global scale. Our research shows that 1 in 4 consumers in the country say they will be more conscious of supporting local produce and food and beverage brands in future, compared to 4 in 10 globally. One emerging trend that is quite specific to Japan is the move towards stocking up on food. In most countries this behavior peaked at the height of the pandemic and has since subsided but in Japan 41% of consumers plan to ‘stock up’ on essentials rather than buying day-to-day in future and 35% are intending to buy more frozen or tinned produce. This can be explained by looking at the specific experience of the Japanese people. In response to natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, flooding and landslides, Japanese consumers are used to having to stock up.
Food industry trends in the Philippines
We see this trend towards bulk buying emerging in the Philippines too, where 48% of consumers say they plan to ‘stock up’ on essentials instead of buying day-to-day. Global trends around eating more healthily are also important in the Philippines, which is significant given that the traditional Filipino diet is higher in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than most Asian diets.
Food industry trends in Indonesia
Trends in Indonesia closely mirror those seen globally. There’s been an uptick in online grocery shopping, with a large proportion of Indonesian grocery shoppers (59%) having used e-commerce sites for this purpose according to a Snapcart survey carried out in May. People have also started to adopt online shopping in new categories, such as OTC, multivitamins / supplements, herbal products, and even RX drugs. Cooking more at home, and supporting local food and drink businesses are also key trends in this market.
To learn more about the food industry trends in each market, download the full report – it’s packed full of facts, stats and examples from each country. Alternatively, if you need further support in understanding changing consumer behavior in your market, please get in touch with us. We have a wealth of experience in food and beverage, having worked with the likes of Mars, Unilever and Arla, and would be happy to share our expertise.
The polls have failed again. The result of the 2020 US Presidential election has not even been confirmed, and there are various news sources claiming that the polling companies have got it all wrong, again. Polls predicted that Biden would win various states comfortably. They either picked the wrong winner, or the race was far, far closer than the polls suggested. It was not supposed to be like this. After the 2016 disasters of Brexit and Trump winning defied the predictions from polling companies – there was supposed to be change – more accuracy in how data is collected and norms calculated.
Political polling is perhaps one of the more visible uses of market research for the average consumer. Polling is a subset of market research and there is a danger that market research as an industry receives negative association from yet another public failing. The Atlantic has published an interesting piece on the ‘disaster’ of the polls and highlights 2 potential arguments to the polls results – that is also the argument for market research as a whole:
“First, many pollsters insist that their polls are snapshots, not predictors. If their snapshots are so far off, though, where were they aiming the lens? Why bother?”
“Second, the analysts will protest that they’re only as good as the polls, but who cares? Whatever the instructions on the bottle, the public uses opinion polls to try to understand what happens. If the polls and their analysts don’t offer the service that customers are seeking, they’re doomed.”
This is similar to the argument that I have heard a few times from senior stakeholders in large companies. “Steve Jobs didn’t use research, why do we need a research company”?
Market research is critical in the uncertain world we live in now. And the mistake that people are making when commenting on the accuracy of the polls, is the same mistake that people make in business. The expectation that there is one data point or one piece of research that will predict the future.
Looking back at the polls, whether a particular result has 51% Biden, or 49%, is not as important as understanding that there is a clear divide. Digging down to uncover the reason for the divide and looking for ideas as to how to change perceptions is what should be most meaningful for anyone looking to illicit change.
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Whilst commenting on the Brexit result (and the failure of the polls) in 2016, I commented that research should be used for Inspiration, Measurement or Predictions – but not by asking for a single score! Instead, market research should be looked at the same way that you have a golf coach, or a piano tutor. You are looking to improve your skills over a period of time, by having someone provide you with the ideas and confidence to get better. Market research, at its best, draws upon multiple sources. Some primary, some secondary, some direct, some passive. What you need is the understanding of what is going on – not just a snapshot.
In the corporate world, marketing has traditionally been the function that ‘owns’ the researchers. How well CMOs can ensure their products and services are relevant to their customer justifies the work they are doing. The future of market research needs to look more holistically. Marketers should look to understand trends that are happening. This could mean getting insights from other industries or other markets. Market research is an ever changing, but every relevant industry. Right now, marketers and decision makers can look at mobile applications, AI analyzed digital diaries, big data and text analytics to get an insight into consumer needs and habits. Understanding consumers has never had as many possibilities as it does today. The skill of the researcher, and the goal of any research agency is to bring together the best people, with the best tools, to advance an idea or to provide confidence.
Understanding the underlying situation is critical for decision makers to be able to create a program of change. Whoever wins the US election, the hope is that they understand the patterns and the needs of the nation to create change. For the market research industry – the focus must be on showcasing the story of change – and encouraging all to follow.
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The automotive industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. Cars have lain dormant in driveways for months as a result of lockdowns across the world, and economic shutdowns hit supply chains, with reports of some manufacturers even resorting to flying parts across the world in suitcases.
But as consumers emerge into a ‘new normal’, what does this mean for the automotive industry? What are the trends to watch – both in the short and the long-term?
In this article, our auto experts across the UK, Thailand and Indonesia, Bianca Abulafia, Digo Alanda and Kajornkiat Kiatsunthorn explore 3 key areas:
- Changing purchase patterns
- The future of electric
- The digital path to purchase
Changing purchase patterns
Short term
In the short-term, we expect to see growth in the second hand and luxury end of the market especially.
The pandemic has resulted in a renewed focus on the car as hygiene concerns have come to the fore. This has resulted in those that have previously shunned car ownership such as urbanites and young people re-evaluating their stance. In the US, a cars.com study showed that 20% of people who don’t own a car are thinking of buying one, and this figure rises when we hone in on young people. A recent global Capgemini survey of under 35s shows that 45% are considering buying a car and this is highest in countries that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
We have talked about the emergence of “revenge buying” in other sectors, and we expect this to manifest in the automotive industry within the second-hand market as a more affordable option for younger buyers. “Revenge buying” is also relevant at the luxury end of the market. As a result of being able to save, the budget of some affluent buyers has increased, meaning that they’re now able to trade up. Volvo’s Chief Executive notes this has happened in China, where the company has seen a 20% increase in sales compared to 2019. “People are really tired of sitting at home locked and they really want to go out and buy.” Outside of this, we expect sales to suffer, with existing car owners putting off purchases in the midst of economic instability.
Long-term
Looking at the long-term impact, it will take some time until car sales return to pre-COVID levels. An ING report, looks back to the 2008 financial crisis for indicators, highlighting that it took 11 months for vehicle sales to recover in this instance. But if we consider that this pandemic has brought lifestyle and behavioral changes, in addition to economic instability, it’s much harder to predict.
In the long-term, will we see a permanent shift towards home working that encourages people to move out of urban centers, necessitating the need for a car? Will increased domestic tourism result in a desire to have access to a car for longer trips – ushering in an opportunity for shared ownership of vehicles? The automotive industry doesn’t exist in a vacuum and it will be vital for auto manufacturers to observe the broad trends to understand where they can play a role.
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The digital path to purchase
Short-term
Car manufacturers have had to rapidly adapt to a new sales environment, as they seek to comply with social distancing measures and meet the needs of the more cautious shopper. Capgemini’s COVID-19 and The Automotive Consumer report indicates that 46% of consumers want to minimize visits to dealerships to compare offers, instead preferring to do this online. We’ve seen lots of innovative responses to this. In China, for instance, Volkswagen has trained 70,000 employees to communicate with customers online, even livestreaming from dealerships via TikTok and Kuaishou.
Long-term
In the long-term, we only expect this to continue. The impact of coronavirus has acted as a catalyst for the digital transformation of many industries, sparking changes in consumer behavior that were thought to take years. Automotive will be no exception as people seek the convenience that they’re experiencing in their interactions with other brands and industries. This will be particularly important in the research phase but we believe it will also extend to online purchase and home delivery, with a recent Think with Google survey finding that 18% of people would buy a vehicle sooner if there was an online purchase option. The desire for convenience could also impact the after sales experience with servicing being carried out at home.
The future of electric
Short-term
In the immediate term, economic instability, plus the appeal of lower oil prices, could dissuade car buyers from making the move to electric. However, we don’t expect this to last long, with any savings from oil prices likely to be temporary, and not significant enough in the long-term to fundamentally influence decisions.
One area to watch is other electric transportation options beyond the car – such as scooters and bikes. As people avoid public transport and seek other routes around the city, governments are having to radically rethink how they can support this. The UK has announced that improvements in cycling infrastructure and trials to allow rented e-scooters on the streets have been fast-tracked, which could encourage people to start exploring electric bikes and scooters as alternative options for commuting. Increased familiarity with electric powered means of transportation could result in a greater adoption of motorbikes or cars.
Long-term
When we look at the long-term view, we don’t expect the shift towards electric to be significantly impacted. From the canals in Venice being clear enough to see the fish to Nasa satellite images showing the dramatic drop into pollution levels in China, the upsides of the lockdown on the environment have been well documented – with many consumers acknowledging benefits of this on their quality of life.
This could influence purchase behaviors in the longer term, with consumers wanting to do their bit for the environment at the point at which economic conditions become more favorable for them to do so. But more significantly, changing consumer sentiment towards the environment is also likely to increase pressure on governments to bolster schemes to incentivize electric car ownership, making them a more financially attractive proposition to car buyers. In fact, this is something that has already happened in China in the wake of the pandemic, with some cities announcing subsidies for new electric vehicles, and others upping their investment in the associated infrastructure.
We also shouldn’t forget the status symbol factor, particularly in the luxury segment. Our research has shown that owning an electric car represents a new way to demonstrate wealth and status, and we don’t see this diminishing any time soon.
When we look the impact of COVID-19 on the media industry it’s a mixed picture. Whilst some areas, like video streaming services, have thrived as a result of increased time at home, others have come to a complete standstill, such as OOH advertising and cinema. But which trends in media will persist?
In this article we explore 3 key areas of the media landscape:
- Linear TV
- Streaming services
- Advertising
The role of linear TV
Short-term changes
As people have been forced to spend time at home and routines have been upended, viewing of linear television has enjoyed a resurgence. According to the BBC, viewers were watching 44% more linear channels in May compared to this time last year, rising to 67% for young people. A trend that flies in the face of pre-pandemic viewing behavior.
The rise of linear television in this period should really come as no surprise. It’s allowing for shared moments at a time when human connection is in short supply. Thinkbox observed a 30% increase in shared viewing in this period.
Content preferences have also shifted, reflecting the pandemic situation, with programs that allow for nostalgia and escapism proving popular with viewers.
Long-term trends
We expect the rise of linear TV to be short-lived. As a direct response to the lockdown, it’s unlikely that this behavior will persist as the pandemic subsides. As economies reopen, and consumers given more freedom to socialize, we expect to see linear TV consumption patterns return to pre-pandemic levels, as the long-term trends we’ve seen towards VOD and SVOD continuing.
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Streaming
Short-term changes
Streaming providers have been one of few beneficiaries of the COVID-19 crisis. With more time on their hands at home, people are turning to paid online streaming services – and some for the very first time. A survey for the Consumer Technology Association carried out in March found that 26% of US consumers are using video streaming services for the first time. A combination of new users like these, and others that have added to their existing subscriptions are creating big returns for streaming giants. In the first quarter, Netflix more than doubled the number of new subscribers it had expected. Disney Plus is another success story. Just 8 months after launch, it has over 54 million subscribers globally. This puts it in touching distance of its 2024 target, a whole 4 years early.
Medium and long term
In the long-term, it’s difficult to predict exactly how streaming will fare. One school of thought is that as the economic impact of the crisis hits consumers will re-evaluate their discretionary spending, and cut back, which could see subscriber numbers fall, particularly amongst those with multiple subscriptions.
Others argue that as consumers tighten the purse strings, they’ll be scaling back on more significant purchases. This could mean that spend on streaming services will be protected as a worthwhile investment, particularly if the focus on the home remains, with working from home continuing in the long term.
One trend that we expect to remain is the emphasis on shared viewing on demand. We’ve seen streaming providers innovating to meet this need with features like Netflix Party, that allow users in different locations to synchronize playback and communicate via a group chat. Meeting the desire for shared experiences but enabling different audiences in one household to watch what they like, we see this trend being important in future.
Another development to watch out in the medium-term is the future of film. During the pandemic Universal Pictures made some of its film releases available on demand on Comcast, Sky, Apple and Amazon for a one-off fee. With the emphasis on value for money and continued social distancing, will this be an attractive option to consumers in the medium, and a way to offset lost revenues from cinemas?
Advertising
Short term
The drop in advertising spending during the pandemic has been well documented. According to a report from Publicis, Q1 ad spend was down 15% in China and 9% across Europe, as companies sought to cut costs and postpone campaigns. And with this continuing in Q2 and into the second half of the year, the World Federation of Advertisers predicting a 31% decrease in investments across 2020.
In response to the pandemic the tone of ads has changed too, with many brands emphasizing their contribution to the relief effort or how they’re supporting customers in this difficult time. In the short-term, we can’t expect an immediate return to pre-pandemic marketing strategies. Our recent research Brands Exposed research, with 4,000 consumers across 10 countries found that levels of worry around the pandemic influence how consumers respond to ads, with overt sales messaging being rejected by those that are most worried, in favor of more reassuring advertising. This indicates that in the short-term, brands will need to make a concerted effort to understand the sentiment of their customer base and position their ads accordingly.
Medium to long-term
Advertising has always had to shift in response to behavioral changes, and this will be no exception. A recent Goldman Sachs report predicts that “the crisis will only accelerate the secular shift in advertising budgets towards digital.”
In the medium and long-term, we expect to see brands funneling more money into digital advertising, reflecting the increase in time that consumers are spending on digital channels. Social media usage is up 21% globally. It’s likely that advertisers will also look to move ad spend towards ad supported streaming services, at the expense of TV.
In the long-run, we also expect to brands continuing to place a sustained importance on responsibility and honesty, in response to rising consumer expectations, as suggested by our Brands Exposed research.
Sales & Marketing
Vital Strategies
Customer Intelligence Director