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COVID-19: Consumer trends and insights for Europe

A woman using a laptop

We are pleased to share our latest insights into consumer behavioural shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic across Europe. These findings provide insights into consumers’ lives, what is important to them and what is not. Understanding your audience better helps you as advertisers to make more informed decisions about how to adapt your marketing strategies in the most effective way. 
 
Please take a look at the information below and consider the following strategies as an immediate action: 

  • Check and expand your keyword portfolio for growing categories 
  • Try forming new copy to connect with these changing behaviours, and show empathy toward the current situation to create new or maintain existing brand loyalty with customers 

Isolated life 

In Germany, following the announcement of the lockdown, online pharmacy searches increased by 280%, possibly indicating that consumers are using online pharmacies for the first time. In addition, with people continuing to stay at home, a lot more time is being spent on cleaning and making the house more liveable. Across the UK, France and Germany, we see a steep increase in cleaning products, most notably pressure washers–the highest growth rate was recorded in France, with a 148% rise week-on-week. Also, heating and ventilation products, as well as fridge/freezers, are seeing a steep incline, indicating that consumers are creating more habitable and comfortable home environments, and are stocking up on food supplies. 
 
Health and fitness related searches continue to grow week-on-week in Germany and France across all categories, however, weight training searches are skyrocketing.   
 
Retail – Pharmacies, Germany 
Retail – Home Appliances, UK, France and Germany 
Health and fitness - France  and Germany 

New financial realities 

Following on from last week's German Insurance report, we have investigated the same categories for the Netherlands. Health insurance and legal protection related searches have both grown by 49% and 78% respectively over the last four weeks, which may be potentially linked to the uncertainty of COVID-19. 
 
Finance – Insurance, Netherlands

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On-demand webcast: ‘Learning in a Remote World’ 

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How to manage stress and introduce mindfulness into your 'new normal' 

As the boundaries between work and personal life become more blurred than ever, are you struggling to navigate the new normal? Check out these six free courses on mindfulness and stress management to help you build up your self-care toolbox—global pandemic or not. 

Earth Day: Creating a greener future with Microsoft Advertising 

Read our blog to learn how you can have trees planted on your behalf and earn your Sustainability Champion Badge.

Hear directly from our clients – Croud and MandM Direct 

Leading advertising agency Croud expanded their targeting through the Microsoft Advertising Partner Network to successfully unlock further potential to maximise conversions, while also increasing cost efficiency. Find out more.
 
Leading online retailer MandM Direct looked to refine its audience strategy and deliver precision focus to their marketing activities. By using a suite of Microsoft Advertising audience products, including In-marketing Audiences and the Microsoft Audience Network, they achieve their goal. Learn more here.

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At Microsoft Advertising, it is our aim to help you adjust to this rapidly changing environment as smoothly as possible. Please keep in touch or reach out to us on LinkedIn or Twitter with any questions, as we'd love to hear what strategies you are adopting in today's reality.