MAM
Enormous Brands decodes the lockdown consumer amid Covid2019
MUMBAI: The stay-at-home mandate has changed the behaviour and attitudes of many Indians. Indians who were born and brought up asking for 'dhaniya' or 'mirchi' free from the vegetable vendors are now buying vegetables and other consumables without asking for prices. Stay-at-home orders have thus caused visible major shifts in people’s behaviour, according to a study by Enormous Brands.
Television grows strength to strength during lock-down
The study suggests TV still shines over OTT. 43 per cent see cable TV as the primary entertainment in the high-income households. 13 per cent across the sample size have re-activated their DTH / Cable subscription.
Interestingly, news has emerged as the new GEC. A staggering 64 per cent of TV viewing time is spent on the news channels. 43 per cent believe that news reporting is unbiased and 27 per cent believes that there is a clear indication that a few news channels are supportive of a particular political party.
Newspaper poised for a strong return
Lots of international researches suggest 21 days can break or form a habit. However, this study suggests otherwise when it comes to a daily newspaper. 74 per cent miss their daily newspaper and are waiting for the service to resume.
While 29 per cent have moved to reading newspapers online, only four per cent would unsubscribe from the hard copy. Looks like the newspaper is a habit like coffee that has grown on the Indian palette, making it difficult to part with.
India’s older adopt digital
The study shows a sharp increase, as much as 47 per cent adoption, among elders (55-65 years) of e-commerce – ordering milk, grocery and home essentials and paying through wallets / UPI.
The banks have been promoting internet banking for over a decade. In just the last month the data suggests that first time users have increased by 28 per cent. The maximum shift of 33 per cent is among the age group of 35-50 years age segments – this is the bankers' delight segment.
Covid2019 helps push the ‘Make in India’ agenda
42 per cent believe that there is an active and deliberate attempt by China to spread Covid2019 across the world for economic gains. This has led to a strong anti-China sentiment.
The data suggests that 47 per cent of Indians are willing to pay up to 25 per cent higher for Indian-made goods over Chinese-made ones. There is a strong sentiment that the world should unite against China to stop using China as the world’s manufacturer, even if it is cost-inefficient.
Enormous Brands managing partner Ajay Verma said: “The young Indian population is behaving very differently from other parts of the globe. The study suggests a high level of optimism even in a situation that has brought the entire world in a lock-down and also showcased that households feels confident about the revival of the Indian economy.”
He further added: “This study was conducted to help brands understand how the current situation is moulding the habits, behaviour and attitudes of Indians. We believe this will help us shape client communication and offer strategic counsel in line with the prevailing sentiments of the consuming class.”
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MAM
Pulse launches 7th Loyalty Day with #PulseUpYourDrink campaign
Runs May 1 to 15, invites fans to create drinks, 100 winners get merchandise.
MUJMBAI: If candy had a cocktail hour, Pulse is ready to stir things up literally. The Dharampal Satyapal Group’s confectionery brand has rolled out the seventh edition of Pulse Loyalty Day, anchored by a new digital-first campaign, #PulseUpYourDrink, running from May 1 to May 15, 2026. The idea: turn a tangy candy into a creative ingredient, and let consumers do the mixing. Tapping into a growing trend of flavour experimentation, especially among Gen Z and millennials, the campaign invites fans to create mocktails and beverages using Pulse candy. The format leans heavily on user-generated content, with participants encouraged to share their creations on social media by tagging @passpass_pulse.
To kick things off, a set of chefs will introduce Pulse-inspired mocktail recipes, setting the base for fans to remix and reinterpret. Actor Mannara Chopra joins the campaign to amplify reach, signalling a continued focus on youth engagement.
The activation is designed to play out across the digital ecosystem, with nano and micro influencers driving participation and conversation. As an added incentive, 100 participants will win Pulse-branded merchandise, blending fandom with rewards.
Pulse, which has led the hard-boiled candy segment for the past nine years, is increasingly positioning itself as more than just a product leaning into culture, community and online behaviour. Loyalty Day, now in its seventh edition, has evolved into a recurring digital moment where consumers actively co-create the brand narrative.
The strategy is clear: keep the flavour familiar, but the engagement fresh. Because in today’s attention economy, even a candy needs to stay in the mix.
