We live in uncertain times. But there are powerful indicators, signaled by a new report from Valassis, of a shift to a cautious optimism about life in general, and a re-evaluation of the brands people relate to and trust.
These findings highlight how you can:
- Use the right messaging that reflects people’s evolved attitudes of cautious optimism.
- Recognize a heightened human need for personal health and safety in marketing messaging.
- Demonstrate a strong social conscience as people reassess the meaning of life and their connectiveness to their fellow humans.
- Develop a new approach to the in-store experience that is human-centered.
1. Getting your messaging right.
People have a pent-up desire to move forward after a rocky year, so there’s a big opportunity for messaging that conveys forward momentum and, it is hoped, situates the worst of the pandemic in the rearview mirror.
It’s essential for marketers to listen to near real-time data, and then pivot to how they engage with people based on what they hear. Consider: 68% of study respondents overall prefer messages that are uplifting, and 73% of Gen X and parents feel this way as well. About the same percentage of people prefer humorous ads.
Critically, messages that recognize the pandemic but offer hope and optimism are popular. Also in the uplifting vein, there appears to be a closer affinity with shopping at local neighborhood stores. 61% of consumers plan their in-store shopping with recommendations from family and friends, and 70% are interested in ads supporting local businesses—both up substantially after the first onset of the pandemic. Call this a heightened human-focused connection to community, so be aware of it.
Takeaway: Brands need to win over entire families in local areas, which means neighborhood and household-level targeting for campaigns. Call it affinity messaging—we are all among our community and support our friends, families and neighborhoods.
2. Acknowledge a commitment to safety.
Personal health and safety will be a real concern for the foreseeable future and needs to be a serious consideration for all indoor activities. Messaging and promotions for indoor activities should address health concerns and highlight precautions taken by an establishment, so advertising that promotes a safer community will pay dividends
Restaurants in particular have to adapt since there’s still a strong inclination (63%) for people to order carryout or delivery. But it pays to watch people categories: Parents (61%), millennial parents (60%) and Gen Z (48%) represent the highest number of consumers comfortable with restaurant dining, but clearly there is still an overall degree of caution about returning to restaurants. Local advertising targeting millennials and family promotions seem to be the strongest approach.
Takeaway: Overall, health and welfare are in the zeitgeist. 64% of millennials, 70% of parents and 72% of millennial parents are interested in ads that focus on health and wellness.
3. Demonstrate a social conscience.
After the height of the pandemic, and with a reassessment of the meaning of life, our survey respondents are driving to a greater social empathy. As many as 52% of respondents say it’s important that the brands they purchase from have values aligning with their own. And what are those values? Among millennial parents, 72% are more likely to be loyal to a brand or store that shares their efforts to be environmentally responsible, or has sustainable or ethical business practices.
Nearly 75% of millennial parents and to a lesser extent millennials overall are more likely to be loyal to a brand or store that shares its efforts to be environmentally responsible, or has sustainable/ethical business practices.
Takeaway: While people want to shop local and reward the stores and restaurants that have suffered, it’s also clear they want to buy from brands that demonstrate fair practices, evince environmental consideration and have a social conscience.
4. Build rewarding in-store experiences.
While people are still unsure about indoor activities, shopping is a notable exception, and people are keen to return. Retailers should consider new opportunities for experiential elements, such as having assistants on hand to direct shoppers in a safe way, or offering touch-free interactions supported by QR codes, AR experiences and “endless aisle” capabilities where nothing is out of stock.
But that’s not all of it. People are more conscious of discounts after the pandemic, illustrative of the “cautious” part of optimism. More than four out of five study respondents say the most important thing when shopping for groceries is cost, and shop at stores with lower prices. More than half say a sale will drive an impulse purchase.
Importantly, while online shopping boomed last year, it may have peaked. In our study, shopping indoors performed better (at 49%) than most other indoor activities in terms of comfort level, and fully 74% of people prefer to buy products that they can smell, touch or feel. Consider: Online food shopping has actually declined in 2021, compared with 2020—18% of respondents versus 29% in 2020.
Takeaway: Driving shoppers online to find more coupons—thereby pulling them into the brand ecosystem—helps them plan how to shop in advance. Physical mail inspires action, addresses caution and augments the in-store experience.
“The Cautious Return to a New World” report is a thorough review of how optimism—with a bullet—is manifesting itself in consumers’ lives. We invite you to consider the four marketing guideposts from our study—also broken out by verticals— to corral this cautious optimism, build back your brand and generate more authentic engagement in what we fully believe are better days ahead.
* Findings from “The Cautious Return to a New World” are based on the responses of an online consumer panel of 1,004 U.S. adults. The study was fielded over two weeks in February and March 2021
