Media usage
Aside from the effect on labour shortage, this demographic trend will have major consequences for the effectiveness of communication channels used by manufacturers and brands to reach professional painters, as usage of certain media channels is often age related. To be able to anticipate these developments, we focused on media usage and online orientation and buying behaviour of professional painters from eight European countries in the 2019 Painter Insight Monitor.
Online sources
When focusing on online sources used, for instance, major generational differences can be seen. Of the painters that are over 55 years of age, less than half ever use online sources, whereas more than two thirds of the younger generation of professional painters report to use online sources for information and inspiration.
Country specific
Country-specific results support this image of generational differences in the use of online sources. In Spain and Poland, for instance, online sources are being used more than in other countries, while the average age of painters in Spain and Poland is lower than in other countries as well. Similarly, the usefulness of online information and the importance of internet for business is rated highest by Spanish and Polish painters.
Online marketing strategies
Since it can be expected that the older generation of painters, who now have a substantial share in the painter population and are often in decision making positions, will retire in the next decade or so, information on the differences in use of media channels between age groups is invaluable for future marketing strategies. As the younger age group will grow larger in absolute numbers, and will slowly but steadily take over decision making positions from the retiring older generation, these results show that online marketing strategies will grow in importance.
Painter Insight Monitor 2019
Given these trends and the unavoidable progression of time, manufacturers and brands best act today and adjust marketing efforts to cater for the market of tomorrow. For more detailed information of the usage of media channels and online orientation and buying behaviour of professional painters from eight European countries, we refer you to the 2019 Painter Insight Monitor.