Mall-going but budget-constrained: gen-z shoppers shape the future of retail

For Gen Z, shopping is no longer just about buying stuff - it's an experience. With price tags climbing and brand loyalty slipping, retailers need to rethink their approach if they want to win over this budget-conscious generation.

Gen Z's spending power is expected to near $12 trillion by 2030, but this year those aged 13 to 28 are expected to cut their holiday spending by a whopping 23%, according to a recent PwC report. The reason? Economic strains like debt, inflation and student loans have made them super selective with their spending.

It's not just about selling products; it's about selling emotions. Retailers need to connect with customers on a deeper level, making them feel part of something. A relentless "sell, sell, sell" approach can feel soulless and inauthentic, pushing young consumers toward cheaper alternatives or "dupes".

Gen Z values experiences over material possessions, and malls are capitalizing on this trend. The American Dream mall in New Jersey hosts events like concerts and pop-up shops to attract visitors. Membership programs also offer perks like exclusive sales and releases, making customers feel part of a community.

But it's not just about the experience; Gen Z is also super researchy. Before buying anything, they dive into a rabbit hole of comparisons, reviews, and social media platforms to ensure they're making an informed decision. And with dupes on the rise - affordable alternatives that resemble expensive brands - retailers need to find a way to compete.

Despite their love for dupes, Gen Z is not willing to pay more for sustainable or socially responsible products. They want value without sacrificing affordability. As one crocheter said, "A gift isn't all about money but rather the love and care you put into it."

Retailers need to adapt to this new reality. It's time to focus on building relationships with customers, creating memorable experiences, and finding ways to make sustainable products more affordable. If they don't, they risk losing the loyalty of this generation for years to come.

As one retail analyst said, "This is the future generation." Gen Z may be budget-conscious, but they're also thoughtful consumers who value experiences and emotions over material possessions. Retailers need to understand their needs and wants if they want to stay relevant in the market.

omg i totally feel gen z's pain when it comes to shopping they wanna experience things not just buy stuff, but its hard for retailers to get that feeling across esp since everyone's so obsessed with saving money i mean i know we're a generation of frugal millennials but gen z is like on a whole different level, they're all about research and stuff before making a purchase...i was literally scrolling through youtube reviews just the other day for my new laptop and it's hard to know what's real and what's not lol. retailers gotta step up their game and make us feel special not just like we're another sale

omg i am literally living for this like retailers really need to step up their game if they wanna win gen z's hearts they're not just about buying stuff, it's an experience, fam! and those who don't get it are gonna be left in the dust my fave brand has already started doing some pretty cool things like pop-up shops and events and i am HERE. FOR. IT they're not just selling products, they're selling emotions and creating a community vibe that's what gen z is all about!

I think retailers should focus on creating these memorable experiences rather than just pushing sales. Like, have you been to those mall events? They're actually pretty cool! Gen Z wants to feel part of something bigger than just buying stuff. And yeah, I've seen those dupes online and they can be pretty convincing. But at the end of the day, it's not about the price tag, it's about the thought and love behind a gift . Retailers should try to tap into that emotional value instead of just trying to make a quick buck. And omg have you seen those membership programs? That's actually a pretty cool way to build loyalty with customers . They just need to find ways to make sustainable products more affordable and accessible, like, I've started buying second-hand clothes online and it's been a game changer for me .

shopping's not just about buying stuff anymore , it's an experience! They wanna feel part of something and connect with brands on a deeper level . If retailers don't get it right, they'll lose out to cheaper dupes . Gen Z is all about value without sacrificing affordability . And let's be real, sustainability matters too . Retailers need to adapt and build relationships with customers . It's time to stop just selling stuff and start selling emotions !

I'm not sure about all this fuss around making shopping experiences a thing. I mean, can't we just buy what we need without feeling like we're part of some exclusive club? Malls hosting events and membership programs are just trying to make up for the fact that prices are going up, right? But let's be real, how many people really care about attending concerts or shopping at pop-up shops? It's all just a bunch of hype to get us to part with our cash.

And don't even get me started on the whole "dupes" thing. I mean, if I want the same product as some brand that's 50% more expensive, I'll find it cheaper somewhere else. It's not like retailers are going to make those dupes magically appear in my shopping cart just because they're trendy.

I do think it's cool that Gen Z is being more researchy about their purchases, though. That's what we need more of – people thinking critically about the stuff they buy. But let's not confuse that with making experiences a priority over actual quality and value. I'll take a good pair of jeans that lasts for years over some fancy pop-up shop any day

People don't buy what you sell, they buy what they are . Retailers need to focus on creating emotional connections with customers, not just pushing products . They should be willing to invest time and effort into building relationships and making sustainable products more affordable . Anything less would be like "playing to the last cent" .

Retailers gotta step up their game . It's not just about selling stuff, it's about feeling part of something . Gen Z is all about experiences, not just material possessions . And before buying anything, they do their research , so retailers need to be on top of that too .

I mean, think about it... what if you're at a mall and someone sets up a pop-up shop with a dope playlist and some sick merch? You're gonna wanna stay and chill for a bit, right? That's the kinda vibe Gen Z is looking for. And if retailers can create that kind of magic, they'll win over this generation .

But here's the thing... sustainability and affordability don't have to be mutually exclusive . Retailers just need to find ways to make it work . It's time to get creative and focus on building those relationships with customers . If you don't, someone else will .

I think retailers really need to step up their game when it comes to connecting with Gen Z on a deeper level. It's not just about slapping a trendy logo on a product and calling it a day. Retailers need to create experiences that feel authentic and meaningful, like those cool pop-up shops and events at malls. And yeah, they gotta be researchy too - all those dupes out there can be super convincing! But at the same time, Gen Z is all about finding value without sacrificing affordability. They're not made of money, you know? Retailers need to find ways to make sustainable products more affordable and appealing to this generation. It's the future, after all!

I totally get why retailers are struggling with Gen Z these days . As someone who's lived through many economic ups and downs, I can relate to being super selective with spending . It's all about finding value and feeling connected to what you're buying. I remember when I was younger, my friends and I would scour thrift stores for unique gifts that told a story . Now, it seems like Gen Z is taking that same approach but on a much bigger scale .

It's not just about selling stuff; it's about creating an experience around it . Retailers need to tap into emotions and build relationships with customers . Malls are already doing this by hosting events and offering membership programs . But, as the article said, Gen Z is also super researchy . They want to know that their money is being spent wisely.

Retailers need to find a way to make sustainable products more affordable and value-driven . It's not about sacrificing affordability; it's about finding ways to make quality products accessible to everyone . As the crocheter said, "A gift isn't all about money but rather the love and care you put into it." That's so true . Retailers just need to remember that value goes beyond just the price tag .

I feel like retailers are so stuck on making a quick buck that they forget about what really matters - building trust with customers. Gen Z isn't just looking for discounts, they're looking for a connection. It's time for stores to shift their focus from "buy now" to "let's hang out". We're not getting any younger and I'm so over the whole "dupes" thing... can't we just get quality without breaking the bank?

Gen Z isn't all about being cheap, you know? They're just really smart about how they spend their cash . I mean, have you seen those prices for holiday gifts?! It's like, hello, save up or get creative! But retailers need to step up their game and make shopping an experience, not just a chore . Those malls are on the right track with events and membership programs, it's all about building that connection with customers . And let's be real, dupes might be tempting, but Gen Z still wants value without breaking the bank . Retailers need to find a way to make sustainable products more affordable, it's not just about being eco-friendly, it's about being savvy shoppers

I feel you ... Gen Z is all about experiences now, not just buying stuff . They're so smart and researchy too , looking for dupes before even considering spending a dime . And honestly, who can blame them? They want value without sacrificing affordability .

It's like, the American Dream mall in NJ is killing it with events and membership programs ... but retailers need to step up their game too . It's not just about selling products; it's about making customers feel part of something .

I love what that crocheter said about gifts being about love and care, not just money . Retailers should focus on building relationships with customers and creating memorable experiences... that way, they won't be left behind . Gen Z may be budget-conscious, but they're also thoughtful consumers who value emotions over material possessions .

I'm so done with all this experiential shopping hype . It's just a bunch of fancy ways to get people to part with their cash, right? I mean, who can really afford to be 'part of something' when there are student loans and rent to pay for?

And don't even get me started on these so-called 'dupes'. Sure, they might look the same as the real thing, but is it really worth it? Can we just go back to buying stuff without all the drama and stress around it?

I'm not convinced that sustainable products are any more affordable than the cheap stuff. It's just a marketing ploy to make people feel good about themselves, isn't it? And those membership programs? Just another way to nickel and dime us.

I'm thinking about this article and I'm like what's up with retailers? They're so focused on selling stuff that they forget about the customers, ya know? It's all about experiences now, not just buying a product. Gen Z wants to feel part of something, and if you don't give them that, they'll just go somewhere else.

I mean, think about it, they're already being super selective with their spending. They cut back by 23% on holiday spending this year alone! That's crazy. And yeah, malls are doing some cool stuff like concerts and pop-up shops to attract visitors. But it's not just about that. Gen Z is super researchy, so retailers need to make sure they're giving them the info they need before making a purchase.

And let's be real, dupes are on the rise, but Gen Z still won't pay more for sustainable or socially responsible products. They want value without sacrificing affordability. It's like, if you want to stay relevant, you gotta understand what Gen Z wants and needs. Retailers need to adapt, not just keep pushing the same old sales tactics.

Gen z is literally changing the game when it comes to shopping! They're not just about buying stuff anymore, its about the whole experience, like a vibe you feel . I mean, who needs brand loyalty when you can have exclusive sales and releases that make you feel part of something special? Retailers need to get with the times and stop being all "sell, sell, sell" because that just comes off as super soulless. Gen z wants to connect on a deeper level and feel like they're part of something bigger than just a product. And let's be real, those dupes are everywhere! But gen z is still super smart and researchy, so retailers need to step up their game and make sustainable products more affordable if they want to stay relevant

I feel like retailers are way too focused on making a quick buck these days . They think that just because people are being frugal, it means we don't care about quality or uniqueness. But honestly, I've seen some amazing experiences at malls and markets where they're actually creating a vibe that's super special and fun . The thing is, it's not just about selling stuff, it's about connecting with people on a human level. If you can do that, then you'll find that people are willing to pay more for something that feels authentic and meaningful . And don't even get me started on dupes - yeah, I've bought some affordable alternatives in the past, but if they're not as good as the real thing, what's the point?

Ugh, can you believe it? Like, I know prices are high and all, but 23% less holiday spending is crazy! And it's not just about shopping anymore, it's an experience, right? Retailers need to get creative with events and membership programs. I mean, who doesn't love a good concert or pop-up shop? It's like they say, "A gift isn't all about money but rather the love and care you put into it." But at the same time, Gen Z is super researchy, so retailers need to step up their game with online engagement and reviews. And, yeah, dupes are a thing... I mean, who hasn't swiped through Instagram and thought, "Wait, is that really designer or just some knockoff?" Anyway, it's all about finding balance between affordability and sustainability. Retailers need to get on board with that.

I feel like retailers are so caught up on trying to make a profit that they're forgetting what's really important - creating a connection with their customers . I've seen my own kids be super picky about what they buy, and it's not just because they're budget-conscious (although that definitely plays a role). It's because they want to feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves.

I love how some malls are trying to create these fun experiences, like concerts and pop-up shops. My kids would totally be into that! And I think retailers need to take a cue from parents - a gift isn't just about the price tag, it's about the thought and effort you put into it.

I'm all for sustainability and affordability too, but retailers also need to figure out ways to make those things more accessible. Like, have you seen those dupes that are ridiculously cheap? Yeah, my kids love them... but they're also super disappointed when they find out they're not the "real deal" .

Anyway, I think this is a great opportunity for retailers to step up their game and focus on building relationships with their customers. If they do, I'm sure Gen Z will be loyal for years to come

I cant believe retailers are still stuck on just selling products. Its all about what your product means to people now, not just the price tag . Theyre super picky because of economic stuff but its also cuz they dont wanna be ripped off by dupes . I love that malls are hosting events and membership programs to make customers feel part of something tho . And Gen Z is literally the most researchy generation ever, always checking reviews and social media before buying . But retailers need to step up their game, be more sustainable and affordable, and show they care about people's emotions .