With new advertising channels and traits always popping up, it may be tough to know the place your target market really is.
Not solely do it’s essential to know the place they spend their time, but in addition how they like to buy –- and that largely is dependent upon their age group.
That can assist you decide the place to satisfy audiences the place they’re, we surveyed 1000’s of US shoppers of all generations throughout to study their buying habits, media consumption, and the newest traits they’re following.
When you’ll discover much more information in our State of Shopper Traits Report, we wished to present our readers a deep dive into every generations and the distinctive themes that make them completely different.
So let’s check out the place and the way every technology likes to buy — and what actually impacts their buying choices.
We’ll get began with a fast breakdown of the buying habits of every technology and name out the most important variations and similarities between them, then dive deeper into every age group.
For these in a rush, we have put a fast generation-by-generation overview under with hyperlinks to the deep dive of every age group. To leap to a broader side-by-side take a look at how all generations deal with every stage of product discovery and purchases in another way. click on right here to leap to our comparability part.
Buying Habits Overview
Gen Z Overview (ages 18-24)
- Social media, YouTube adverts, and web search are the highest methods Gen Z uncover new merchandise
- Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are the highest social media apps amongst Gen Z
- 33% of Gen Z have purchased a product primarily based on an influencer’s suggestion up to now three months, and 28% have purchased via an in-app store
- 1 in 2 Gen Zers need firms to take a stance on social points, particularly racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, gender inequality, and local weather change. When firms advocate for these points, it has a powerful impression on Gen Z buy choices
- Adverts on streaming companies beat cable TV for reaching Gen Z. Retail discovery continues to be related, however much less frequent than digital channels
Soar to our Gen Z deep dive >>
Millennials Overview (ages 25-35)
- Social media, web search, and YouTube adverts are additionally the highest methods Millennials uncover new merchandise
- Fb, YouTube, and Instagram are the highest social media apps amongst Millennials
- 28% of Millennials have purchased a product via an in-app store up to now three months and 26% have purchased primarily based on an influencer’s suggestion
- 41% of Millennials need firms to take a stance on social points, particularly racial justice, revenue inequality, local weather change, reasonably priced healthcare, and LGBTQ+ rights. When firms advocate for these points, it has a powerful impression on Millennial buy choices
- Adverts on cable TV beat streaming companies for reaching Millennials by a small margin. Retail discovery continues to be related however much less frequent than digital channels
Soar to our Millennial deep dive >>
Gen X Overview (ages 35-54)
- Gen X prefers to find new merchandise via search, tv adverts, and in retail shops
- Gen X discovers new merchandise on social media extra incessantly than some other channel, although it isn’t most well-liked
- 90% of Gen X use social media – Fb, YouTube, and Instagram are their favourite apps
- 18% of Gen X have purchased a product via an in-app store up to now three months. The identical quantity purchased primarily based on an influencer’s suggestion in that interval
- 35% of Gen Xers say firms ought to take a stance on social points, particularly local weather change, reasonably priced healthcare, racial justice, and revenue inequality. 38% say firms shouldn’t have interaction with social points, and 26% aren’t certain
Soar to our Gen X deep dive >>
Boomer Overview (ages 55+)
- TV adverts, web search, and retail shops are the highest methods Boomers uncover new merchandise
- Social media falls flat for boomers – simply 17% have found a product on it up to now three months, and solely 4% have bought a product on a social app in that point
- About half of boomers say firms shouldn’t take a stance on social points. Relating to influencing their buy choices, social points merely don’t have any impression on a majority of Boomers.
Soar to our Child Boomer deep dive >>
A Generational Comparability of As we speak’s Buying Traits [Side-by-Side Data]
The place Do Shoppers Uncover Merchandise?
Social media, web search, and Youtube adverts are key for reaching Gen Z and Millennials, whereas TV, search, and retail are favored by Gen X and Boomers.
So far as social media, Boomers, Millennials, and Gen X all use Fb greater than some other app.
In the meantime, Gen Z is all about YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Not solely is Gen Z speaking with buddies and being entertained, however they’re additionally discovering (and shopping for) merchandise on social greater than some other technology.
What Drives Shoppers to Purchase Merchandise?
Relating to making buy choices, all generations are extremely influenced by value, high quality, and product opinions. Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X additionally worth manufacturers which have lively communities round them and a social media presence. Moreover, whether or not a proportion of the proceeds from their buy will likely be donated to charity is extremely necessary to Gen Z.
The place Do Shoppers Wish to Purchase Merchandise?
All generations favor shopping for merchandise in-person at a retailer over some other channel, however this desire decreases considerably with age. Shopping for via on-line retailers like Amazon and straight from an organization’s web site can also be well-liked. Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X are most thinking about shopping for via social media and from an organization’s cellular app.
For those who’re prepared for extra of the insights it’s essential to attain your target market, let’s take a deep dive into the buying habits of right this moment’s shoppers, in addition to how every technology compares, primarily based on information from our 2022 Shopper Traits Survey of over 1,000 shoppers within the U.S.
Buying Traits by Era (A Detailed, Knowledge-Pushed Breakdown)
Gen Z Buying Habits 2022 (ages 18-24)
So the place is Gen Z discovering new merchandise? Let’s begin with the digital elephant within the room – social media.
Social Media Drives Gen Z Product Discovery
57% of Gen Z has found new merchandise on social media up to now three months, and 71% of them say it’s the place they uncover merchandise most frequently.
Social media can also be the #1 means Gen Z prefers to find new merchandise, in response to 38% of these age 18-24.
All of this actually isn’t shocking contemplating 93% of Gen Z use social media, for a median of 4 hours and 20 minutes per day.
You might also be questioning which platforms they’re utilizing, so let’s take a look:
YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are the highest three platforms by utilization up to now three months. Over half of Gen Z have used Snapchat and Fb up to now three months, and 48% have used Twitter.
Relating to the social media apps Gen Z makes use of most, TikTok, IG, and YouTube come out on high once more, however in a unique order.
TikTok is used most, possible because of its deal with short-form movies and highly effective algorithm, making it onerous to place down.
However TikTok and Instagram are solely probably the most used social media apps amongst Gen Z girls, whereas males spend way more time on YouTube.
Lastly, we requested Gen Z which social media app is their favourite.
Whereas TikTok is used most, Instagram is the favourite social media app amongst Gen Z as an entire.
However there are such a lot of methods to work together with Gen Z on social media that it’s extra necessary than ever to make use of a format that captures their consideration and makes your model stand out.
We requested how Gen Z social media customers choose to find new merchandise, and right here’s what we discovered:
Our analysis from earlier this 12 months exhibits that short-form video and influencer advertising are the highest advertising traits of 2022, so the truth that Gen Z is absolutely embracing these channels to find merchandise isn’t shocking.
41% of Gen Z say they like to find new merchandise on social media via short-form movies, and 1 in 4 choose to search out out about merchandise from influencers.
On high of that, 33% of Gen Z have made a purchase order primarily based on an influencer’s suggestion up to now three months, the very best of any age group.
The indicators to put money into these channels couldn’t be clearer. Did I point out that additionally they have the very best ROI of any advertising development? One other highly effective development we recognized in our Social Media Traits 2022 analysis is promoting straight on social media.
Contemplating 28% of Gen Z has purchased a product on social media straight on the app up to now three months and 29% choose to find new merchandise via social media outlets, there’s by no means been a greater time to get began.
Our latest Instagram Advertising Report explains why the app presents such an unbelievable alternative for social promoting, and we even printed a data-backed information on the highest instruments and techniques for promoting on Instagram.
YouTube Adverts Trump Social Media For Reaching Gen Z Males
46% of Gen Z has discovered new merchandise via YouTube Adverts up to now three months, and 56% say it’s the place they uncover merchandise most frequently.
On high of that, 34% of Gen Zers say YouTube adverts are their most well-liked technique to uncover new merchandise.
General, YouTube Adverts comply with social media because the 2nd greatest technique to attain Gen Z. For those who can’t leverage each, right here’s an perception that will help you determine which to make use of:
Gen Z girls choose to find new merchandise on social media, whereas discovering merchandise via YouTube Adverts is strongly most well-liked by younger males.
search engine marketing Nonetheless Issues For Gen Z
42% of Gen Z has discovered new merchandise by looking out the net up to now few months, and 50% say it’s the place they discover merchandise most frequently.
26% of Gen Z say looking out the web is their most well-liked means of discovering new merchandise, however how precisely is Gen Z looking out on-line? A whopping 74% of Gen Z use their cellphones most frequently when buying on-line, whereas simply 15% use a pc.
Moreover, 72% of Gen Z use their telephones most frequently when trying up a query on a search engine.
This implies try to be optimizing your web site to be mobile-first to supply the very best expertise to your customers. To be taught extra in regards to the high search engine marketing methods, try our Net Site visitors & Analytics Report.
Retail Discovery is Much less Frequent, However Nonetheless Related For Gen Z
Whereas 36% of Gen Z has found new merchandise in retail shops up to now three months, once we requested the place they uncover new merchandise most frequently, it got here in at #8.
So Gen Z continues to be visiting retail shops, however they’re discovering merchandise via on-line sources way more usually.
Does that imply hope is misplaced for retail? Not fairly. 19% of Gen Z nonetheless say it’s their most well-liked technique to uncover new merchandise, behind social media, YouTube adverts, and looking out the net.
Adverts on Streaming Providers Beat Cable TV for Gen Z
23% of Gen Z has found new merchandise on movie/TV present streaming companies up to now three months, and 33% of them say they uncover new merchandise via streaming most frequently.
19% of Gen Z have additionally found new merchandise on music streaming companies like Spotify, with 55% of them saying that music streaming is the place they uncover new merchandise most frequently.
Does that imply cable TV adverts are misplaced on Gen Z? Contemplating lower than 1 in 5 have found a brand new product via their tv up to now three months, it isn’t the very best channel to succeed in these age 18-24 (although nonetheless very related for older age teams).
1 in 2 Gen Zers Say Corporations Ought to Take a Stance On Social Points
Gen Z is thought to be vocal in regards to the causes they consider in, however does that tenacity for the atmosphere and social justice translate to their buy choices? Let’s have a look.
We requested whether or not firms ought to take a stance on social points, and 50% of Gen Z say they need to, the very best of any technology.
We then requested those that need firms to take a stance on social points which points are most necessary to them. Racial justice was by far the highest concern for Gen Z (69%), adopted by LGBTQ+ rights (50%), gender inequality (46%), and local weather change (42%).
The burning query is whether or not these sentiments translate to buy choices, and we discovered that they’ve a big affect on Gen Z, dwindling slowly with every technology.
- 60% of Gen Z have chosen a product primarily based on it being owned by a small enterprise up to now three months
- 50% of Gen Z have chosen a product primarily based on the model’s dedication to range/inclusion up to now three months
- 49% of Gen Z have chosen a product primarily based on the model being owned by an individual of shade up to now three months.
- 43% of Gen Z have chosen a product primarily based on the model being woman-owned up to now three months.
- 30% of Gen Z have chosen a product primarily based on the model being owned by a member of the LGBTQ group up to now three months.
Not solely that, however manufacturers taking a stance on these points additionally makes a good portion of Gen Zs extra prone to buy. We requested all of the Gen Zs in our survey how the next attributes impression their buy choices, if in any respect, utilizing a 5-point scale from a lot much less prone to more likely. Right here’s what they mentioned:
Under are just some of the components that impression Gen Z buy choices, except for the product itself:
- Company Belief: 84% of Gen Z say they’re extra possible to purchase from an organization that treats its workers effectively, whereas 83% say they’re extra possible to purchase from an organization that they will belief with their information
- Financial and/or Environmental Affect: 60% of Gen Z say they’re extra possible to purchase from a model actively attempting to cut back its environmental impression, whereas 46% usually tend to buy merchandise from small companies.
- Excessive DI&B Requirements: 53% of Gen Z say they’re extra prone to buy primarily based on a model’s dedication to range/inclusion, whereas 51% say a model advocating for racial justice makes them extra prone to grow to be a buyer. Moreover, 39% of Gen Z say they’re extra possible to purchase merchandise from manufacturers owned by an individual of shade.
- Gender and LGBTQ+ Advocacy: 42% of Gen Z say manufacturers that advocate for gender equality usually tend to get their purchases, whereas 37% of Gen Z usually tend to purchase from manufacturers that advocate for LGTBTQ+ rights.
Whereas Gen Z is strongly influenced by Environmental, Social, and Governance (or ESG) initiatives, there are different components of their buy choices which can be much more necessary – let’s have a look.
What Drives Gen Z Buy Selections?
The highest components in Gen Z’s buy choices are unsurprising, with value, high quality, and look/really feel taking the lead.
However once we ask Gen Z to decide on the three most necessary components of their buy resolution, we discover some attention-grabbing insights. Check out the highest 8 most necessary components when Gen Z is compelled to decide on simply three of these they contemplate:
Whereas value and high quality nonetheless lead, we see that donations to charity, an lively group, suggestions from influencers, and the way manufacturers deal with their workers rise to the highest.
Granted, these are nowhere close to the highest components on this group’s buy choices, however for individuals who contemplate them, they’re essential.
One different factor to notice is that suggestions from influencers drive Gen Z buy choices much more than suggestions from their family and friends (55% vs. 24%, respectively) – one more purpose to leverage influencer advertising.
How Does Gen Z Desire to Buy Merchandise?
Relating to making purchases, 55% of Gen Zers nonetheless choose to purchase issues in-store (the bottom of any technology), however on-line channels are shut behind.
One in two Gen Zers choose to make purchases via on-line retailers like Amazon, whereas 37% prefer to go on to an organization’s web site.
23% of Gen Z prefers to purchase via social media apps, whereas 22% favor going via an organization’s cellular app.
How Does Gen Z Like To Pay?
47% of Gen Z has bought a subscription for a bodily product up to now three months, the very best of any technology.
However once we requested which fee mannequin they like, Gen Z nonetheless largely favors shopping for a product for full value as wanted.
And that wraps it up for Gen Z! Now we will speak about their barely older, but noticeably completely different counterparts, Millennials.
Millennial Buying Habits 2022 (ages 25-34)
Social Media Drives Millennial Product Discovery
50% of Millennials have found new merchandise on social media up to now three months, and 59% of them say it’s the place they uncover new merchandise most frequently.
Social media can also be the first means Millennials choose to find new merchandise, in response to 33% of these 25-34.
Much like Gen Z, 90% of Millennials use social media, for a median of 4 hours per day, barely decrease than that of Gen Z.
So far as the platforms they use, Fb, YouTube, and Instagram are the highest platforms by utilization up to now three months. Over half of Millennials have used TikTok up to now three months, and 44% have used Snapchat.
Relating to the social media apps Millennials use most, Fb, YouTube, and Instagram prepared the ground.
However identical to with Gen Z, the app used most differs sharply by gender. Millennial girls use Fb probably the most, adopted by Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. In the meantime, Millennial males use YouTube probably the most, adopted by Fb, Instagram, and TikTok fourth.
We additionally requested Millennials which social media platform is their favourite.
Relating to Millennials’ favourite social media app, Fb stays at #1, however Instagram pulls forward of YouTube.
Now that which platforms Millennials choose to search out new merchandise on, listed below are the codecs they wish to see on social media, amongst those that use it.
Millennials favor feed posts, adverts, and social media marketplaces when trying to uncover new merchandise.
In addition they flip to influencers and social media outlets to find and purchase issues:
Since Millennials are inclined to favor Fb and Instagram, constructing a presence on these platforms is essential. Organising a web-based store on each platforms and leveraging influencer advertising are among the many highest ROI methods you need to use to get your merchandise seen and purchased.
Millennials Uncover Merchandise By Search Barely Much less Than On Social
Discovering new merchandise via looking out the web comes second to discovering them on social media, however simply by a hair.
For starters, search and social are tied at 50% for the highest channel Millennials have found new merchandise on up to now three months. And 58% of Millennials say they uncover new merchandise most frequently by looking out the web, simply 1% behind social media.
After we requested what Millennials’ most well-liked channel for locating new merchandise is, 32% mentioned looking out the web, additionally lagging behind social media by 1%.
So search is a number one channel for product discovery for Millennials, however how are they looking out? 74% use their cellphones most frequently, in comparison with simply 16% who use a pc, highlighting the significance of optimizing your website to be mobile-first.
Relating to on-line buying, 68% of Millennials use their telephones most frequently, whereas 22% use a pc.
YouTube Adverts Is the Third-Finest Approach To Attain Millennials, Particularly Males
44% of Millennials have discovered new merchandise on YouTube up to now three months and 54% say they uncover new merchandise on YouTube probably the most.
On high of that, 23% of Millennials say YouTube is their most well-liked channel for locating new merchandise.
General, YouTube adverts are the #3 greatest technique to attain Millennials, however identical to for Gen Z, on the subject of concentrating on Millennial males, YouTube rises to the highest.
Retail Discovery is Much less Frequent, However Nonetheless Related For Millennials
Whereas 43% of Millennials have found new merchandise in retail shops up to now three months, once we requested the place they uncover new merchandise most frequently, retail is available in at quantity six.
Like Gen Z, Millennials are nonetheless going to retail shops, however they’re discovering merchandise on-line extra usually. 22% of them say they like discovering new merchandise in retail shops, behind social media, looking out the web, YouTube Adverts, and phrase of mouth.
Cable TV is Barely Higher for Reaching Millennials than Streaming Providers
36% of Millennials have found new merchandise via TV/movie streaming companies up to now three months, and 34% of them say that’s the place they uncover new merchandise most frequently. Moreover, 13% of Millennials say video streaming is how they like to find new merchandise.
Relating to cable TV, 34% of millennials have found new merchandise via their tv up to now three months, and 47% of them say that is the place they uncover new merchandise most frequently, comfortably forward of streaming companies. Moreover, 18% of Millennials say cable TV is the place they like to find new merchandise, beating video streaming companies by 5%.
Promoting on music streaming companies can also be a good way to succeed in Millennials – 21% of them have found new merchandise via music streaming companies up to now three months. Of that group, 29% say that’s the place they uncover new merchandise most frequently. General, 11% of Millennials say music streaming is how they like to find new merchandise.
ESG Issues To Millennials
41% of Millennials say firms ought to take a stance on social points, down from 50% for Gen Z.
We additionally requested Millennials who wish to see firms partaking in advocacy which social points they wish to see firms {that a} stance on most.
Amongst Millennials who need firms to advocate for social points, 60% wish to see manufacturers take a stance on racial justice, adopted by revenue inequality (52%), local weather change (39%), reasonably priced healthcare (37%), and LGBTQ+ rights (36%).
Whereas racial justice is high of thoughts for each Gen Z and Millennials, Millennials put much less of a precedence on different identity-based points like gender and sexual orientation. As a substitute, they like to see firms deal with points like revenue inequality, local weather change, and reasonably priced healthcare.
This could be as a result of Millennials are older and extra prone to be a part of the workforce than Gen Z, making them extra acutely aware of wealth inequality and the price of healthcare.
Whereas a large group of Millennials desires to see firms taking a stand, do these sentiments really have an effect on their buy choices? Similar to with Gen Z, the reply is sure.
- 59% of Millennials have chosen a product primarily based on it being made by a small enterprise up to now three months
- 49% of Millennials have chosen a product primarily based on the model’s dedication to range/inclusion up to now three months
- 47% of Millennials have chosen a product primarily based on the model being woman-owned up to now three months
- 42% of Millennials have chosen a product primarily based on the model being owned by an individual of shade up to now three months
- 27% of Millennials have chosen a product primarily based on it being owned by a member of the LGBTQ+ group up to now three months
On a 5-point scale from a lot much less prone to more likely, we requested all Millennials in our survey how the next attributes impression their buy choices, if in any respect. Right here’s what we discovered:
- Company Belief: 82% of Millennials usually tend to purchase from an organization that treats its workers effectively, and the identical quantity usually tend to purchase from an organization that they will belief with their information.
- Financial and/or Environmental Affect: 51% of Millennials usually tend to purchase a product made by a small enterprise, whereas 48% usually tend to purchase from an organization that actively tries to cut back its environmental impression
- Excessive DI&B Requirements: 47% of Millennials usually tend to buy from a model dedicated to range/inclusion, whereas 43% say a model advocating for racial justice makes them extra prone to grow to be a buyer. Moreover, 42% of Millennials say they’re extra possible to purchase merchandise from manufacturers owned by an individual of shade.
- Gender and LGBTQ+ Advocacy: 46% of Millennials say manufacturers that advocate for gender equality usually tend to get their purchases, whereas 36% of Millennials usually tend to purchase from manufacturers that advocate for LGTBTQ+ rights.
Whereas ESG strongly issues to Millennials, let’s see how these points stack up in opposition to different components of their buy choices.
What Drives Millennial Buy Selections?
Simply as they do for all generations, value and high quality are the highest components on the subject of Millennial buy choices.
Now let’s see which of those are most necessary to Millennials by forcing them to decide on simply three of the components they contemplate.
Unsurprisingly, value, high quality, opinions, and options stay within the lead. However a model’s social media presence, whether or not a model has an lively group round it, whether or not the model donates to charity, and suggestions from influencers rise.
Whereas these aren’t even within the high 8 components in Millennials’ buy choices, amongst those that contemplate them, they’re extremely necessary.
How Do Millennials Desire to Buy Merchandise?
65% of Millennials choose to purchase merchandise in-store, whereas 55% favor going via on-line retailers like Amazon. About 1 in 3 prefer to buy straight from an organization’s web site.
Relating to cellular apps, 21% of Millennials choose buying via social media, and 1 in 5 prefer to undergo an organization’s cellular app.
How Do Millennials Like To Pay?
44% of Millennials have bought a subscription for a bodily product up to now three months, barely under Gen Z, however comfortably greater than Gen X and much forward of Boomers.
However on the subject of the fee mannequin they like, 51% of Millennials say they favor shopping for merchandise at full value after they want them.
Then again, Millennials are the almost definitely of any technology to choose buying a product in fee installments (28%) and on a subscription foundation (21%).
Now that we’ve coated Millennial buy habits, let’s check out how Gen X likes to buy, which differs considerably from what we’ve seen so removed from the youthful age teams.
Gen X Buying Habits 2022 (ages 35-54)
Gen X Prefers to Uncover Merchandise By On-line Search, With Different Channels Shut Behind
One in three Gen X’s say they like to find new merchandise by looking out the web, and 58% say that search is how they uncover new merchandise most frequently – tying with social media because the channel they uncover new merchandise on most incessantly.
Moreover, 40% of Gen X have found new merchandise via on-line search up to now three months, inserting it among the many high discovery channels.
So we all know Gen X is all about looking out on-line, however which units are they utilizing most when buying on the internet?
Two thirds of Gen Xers say they use their cellphones most for on-line buying, whereas 21% are on a pc and 9% use a desk most incessantly. That is just like what we noticed with Gen Z and Millennials.
However not like these youthful age teams, the place social media is the clear favourite channel for product discovery, Gen X likes to search out objects via a a lot wider vary of channels, so let’s check out the others which have a significant impression on these age 35-54.
Tv Adverts Are Extremely Related For Gen X
41% of Gen X have found new merchandise via TV adverts up to now three months, and 55% of them say that TV adverts are the place they uncover merchandise most frequently, barely behind social media and looking out the net.
Moreover, 30% of Gen X say they like to find new merchandise via TV adverts, tying with retail shops for the second hottest channel.
Retail Has the Widest Attain For Gen X, However Digital Channels Are Seen A lot Extra Continuously
Retail is the highest channel Gen X has found new merchandise up to now three months. However whereas 43% of Gen X discovered a brand new product in a brick and mortar retailer in that interval, on the subject of the channels Gen X discovers new merchandise on most frequently, retail is behind digital mediums like social media, web search, TV adverts, YouTube adverts, and streaming adverts.
Does that imply that retail is being forgotten by Gen X? Not precisely, as a result of 30% of Gen X nonetheless choose to find new merchandise in retail shops, tied at #2 with TV adverts.
But it surely does sign that Gen X is buying on-line extra usually than they go to retail shops, even when they like the latter. Whereas this may very well be about comfort, a symptom of the pandemic, or a mirrored image of our more and more digital world, it is very important attain Gen X just about whereas holding in thoughts their affinity for a real-life buying expertise.
Gen X Discovers Merchandise On Social Most Typically, Although It Isn’t Most well-liked
Whereas Gen Z and Millennials uncover merchandise most frequently on social – and like it that means – Gen X is a little more conflicted.
Social media is the primary channel Gen X discovers new merchandise on probably the most, in response to 58% of these 35-54. However on the identical time, simply 1 in 4 Gen Xers say they like to find new merchandise on social media, coming in at #5 on the checklist of their favored channels.
This may be defined by the truth that 90% of Gen X use social media. Whereas 14% spend below an hour on it every single day, the remaining common 3 hours and 25 minutes of each day use. So Gen X is utilizing plenty of social media and seeing adverts on it greater than anyplace else, but it surely isn’t the best way they like to find merchandise.
Regardless, 42% of Gen X have found a product on social media up to now three months. On high of that, 18% of Gen X have purchased a product straight in a social media app in that very same interval. So let’s check out which social media apps Gen X is utilizing.
So Gen X is certainly on Fb and YouTube, whereas just a little over half are on Instagram, and 38% visited TikTok and Twitter up to now three months. Now let’s check out which social media platforms Gen X makes use of most:
Fb and YouTube keep within the lead, a development that continues once we take a look at Gen X’s favourite social media apps.
Now that we all know which platforms are hottest amongst Gen X, right here’s a take a look at how the age group prefers do uncover new merchandise on social media, amongst those that use it.
Whereas the present development for promoting to Gen Z and Millennials is “make content material, not adverts,” Gen X isn’t bothered by being marketed to extra straight, preferring to see adverts on social media. However for the reason that development is to make adverts as pleasurable and un-intrusive as doable, it is best to nonetheless attempt to make your Gen X advert campaigns really feel genuine, enjoyable, and relatable, making for a greater expertise no matter technology.
Coming in second, 39% of Gen X additionally favor discovering new merchandise via social media marketplaces the place purchases occur exterior of the app. This reinforces the earlier perception we uncovered about Gen X preferring real-life buying experiences, even when they’re discovering merchandise on social media.
Nonetheless, 35% of Gen X choose to find new merchandise via in-app outlets, the very best of any technology, however bear in mind that is solely amongst social media customers.
Prior to now three months, 18% of Gen X social media customers have purchased a product straight on a social media app, and the identical quantity made a purchase order primarily based on an influencer’s suggestion.
The impression of influencers is one other main level of distinction between Gen X and youthful generations – simply 14% of Gen X choose discovering new merchandise via influencers, in comparison with 25% and 28% for Gen Z and Millennials, respectively. However all three of those generations nonetheless look to influencers greater than Boomers.
1 in 3 Gen Xers Say Corporations Ought to Take a Stance On Social Points
35% of these in Gen X say firms ought to take a stance on social points, whereas 38% say they shouldn’t, and 26% aren’t certain.
We additionally requested those that wish to see firms take a stance which social points are most necessary for companies to champion, right here’s what they mentioned:
In contrast to Gen Z and Millennials, for whom racial justice topped the checklist by a big margin, Gen X is unfold extra evenly amongst their high points. Whereas Gen X desires to see firms take a stance on local weather change greater than some other concern, reasonably priced healthcare, racial justice, and revenue inequality are all equally necessary to them.
Now let’s check out whether or not these beliefs really impression Gen X’s buy choices. Amongst all Gen Xers in our survey:
- 42% of Gen X have chosen a product primarily based on it being made by a small enterprise up to now three months
- 36% of Gen X have chosen a product primarily based on it the model’s dedication to range/inclusion up to now three months
- 28% of Gen X have chosen a product primarily based on the model being woman-owned up to now three months
- 28% of Gen X have chosen a product primarily based on the model being owned by an individual of shade up to now three months
- 21% of Gen X have chosen a product primarily based on the model being owned by a member of the LGBTQ+ group up to now three months
Whereas these numbers are decrease than what we’re seeing with Gen Z and Millennials, social components are current components in Gen X’s buy choices. We additionally requested all Gen Xers in our survey how the next attributes impression their buy choices if in any respect, utilizing a 5-point scale from a lot much less prone to more likely.
- Company Belief: 82% of Gen X usually tend to purchase from an organization that they will belief with their information, whereas 81% usually tend to buy from manufacturers that deal with their workers effectively.
- Financial and/or Environmental Affect: 43% of Gen X usually tend to purchase a product made by a small enterprise, and the identical quantity usually tend to purchase from a enterprise that actively tries to cut back its environmental impression
- Reasonable DI&B Requirements: 36% of Gen X usually tend to buy from a model dedicated to range/inclusion, and 36% say a model advocating for racial justice makes them extra prone to grow to be a buyer. Moreover, 32% of Gen X say they’re extra possible to purchase merchandise from manufacturers owned by an individual of shade.
- Gender and LGBTQ+ Advocacy: 36% of Gen X say manufacturers that advocate for gender equality usually tend to get their purchases, whereas 31% of them usually tend to purchase from manufacturers that advocate for LGTBTQ+ rights.
We all know that social points are a part of Gen X’s buy choices, however which different components do they contemplate, and that are most necessary? Let’s have a look.
What Drives Gen X’s Buy Selections?
Unsurprisingly, value and high quality are the highest components on the subject of Gen X buy choices.
However let’s check out which components Gen X discover most necessary when compelled to decide on simply three of these they contemplate of their buy choices.
Whether or not a model has an lively group round it, a model’s dedication to range and inclusion, and whether or not a model donates a portion of its income to charity all rise to the highest. Whereas these are nowhere close to the highest components in Gen X’s buy choices, for individuals who contemplate them, they’re extremely necessary.
How Does Gen X Desire to Buy Merchandise?
73% of Gen Xers choose to buy merchandise in-store. 53% favor on-line retailers like Amazon, whereas about 1 in 4 prefer to go straight via an organization’s web site, and simply 13% choose to buy merchandise via social media apps.
How Does Gen X Wish to Pay?
63% of Gen Xers choose to buy a product for full value as wanted, whereas 27% favor fee installments, and simply 10% like to make use of a subscription plan.
However on the identical time, 37% of Gen X has bought a subscription plan for a bodily product up to now three months.
Now that all about Gen X buy habits in 2022, let’s finish with a deep dive into the buying habits of Child Boomers.
Child Boomer Buying Habits in 2022 (ages 55+)
Cable TV Drives Boomer Product Discovery
Boomers’ buying habits stand out probably the most of any technology. Whereas Gen X shares some similarities with Gen Z and Millennials by way of incessantly buying on social media, Boomers are discovering merchandise in their very own means – via cable TV adverts.
Over half of Boomers have found new merchandise via tv commercials up to now three months, and 62% of them say their TV set is the place they uncover merchandise most frequently. On high of that, 45% of Boomers say they like to find new merchandise via TV, the very best of any channel and much above some other technology.
Leveraging On-line Search Is Second-Finest For Reaching Boomers
Boomers fall again consistent with youthful generations on the subject of looking out the web, with 45% of them having found a brand new product via on-line search up to now three months.
59% of those that uncover new merchandise via on-line search say it is the channel they discover issues on most frequently, coming in 2nd after TV adverts. It is usually the 2nd most most well-liked channel for product discovery amongst Boomers, with 40% of them saying they like to search out objects via on-line search greater than anyplace else.
So which units are Boomers utilizing most frequently when buying on-line?
In contrast to all different generations, over half of Boomers use their computer systems most frequently for on-line buying, whereas 1 in 4 use their telephones extra incessantly.
Boomers Desire Retail Buying Extra Than Any Different Era
44% of Boomers have found new merchandise in retail shops up to now three months, and 38% of them say that’s the place they discover new objects most frequently. Moreover, 37% of Boomers choose discovering new merchandise in on-line shops over some other channel.
Social Media Falls Flat For Boomer Product Discovery
After we ask Boomers about their most well-liked technique to uncover new merchandise, simply 10% say via social media, and it ranks behind all of the channels we simply talked about, in addition to phrase of mouth and junk mail (snail mail).
On high of that, simply 17% of Boomers have found a product on social media up to now three months, and solely 4% have bought a product on a social app.
Regardless, two in three Boomers use social media. Whereas a few third of them spend lower than an hour on social media a day, the opposite 65% are spending over an hour on it each day.
However which apps are they utilizing?
91% of Boomers who use social media are on Fb, greater than some other technology. Over half use YouTube, and about one quarter are on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. 63% of Boomers who use Fb additionally say it is the app they use probably the most, with YouTube coming in second at 21%.
We see the identical image when trying on the social media apps Boomers contemplate their favourite, with 58% of them selecting Fb, adopted by YouTube at 20%.
So the place to search out Boomers on social media, however what sort of content material do they wish to see when discovering new merchandise?
Much like Gen X, Boomers are completely content material with being marketed to extra straight, although the present development of “making content material, not adverts” well-liked with Gen Z and Millennials is certain to enhance their expertise.
Boomers additionally favor shopping for via social media marketplaces the place purchases occur exterior of the app, showcasing their desire for real-life buying experiences.
Unsurprisingly, Boomers are the least of any technology in discovering new merchandise via in-app outlets or via influencers, with 13% saying they like to search out merchandise this fashion
Nearly Half of Boomers Say Corporations Should not Take a Stance on Social Points
Boomers are sometimes thought of the polar reverse of Gen Z, and within the case of whether or not firms ought to take a stance on social points, the 2 teams are utterly at odds. Whereas 1 in 2 Gen Zers suppose firms ought to have interaction in advocacy, about half of Boomers say they shouldn’t.
Nonetheless, one in 4 Boomers wish to see firms taking a stance on social points, so let’s check out which of them they wish to see companies communicate on probably the most.
The social points Boomers wish to see firms advocating for many are local weather change, reasonably priced healthcare, racial justice, and revenue inequality. That is proper consistent with the problems we noticed had been necessary to Gen X, although local weather change is considerably extra necessary to Boomers than some other technology.
Consider the above is just amongst Boomers who wish to see firms take a stance on social points, which is simply 25% of them. For the remaining, social points are both irrelevant or just aren’t one thing they wish to hear about when interacting with manufacturers.
- 20% of Boomers have chosen a product primarily based on it being made by a small enterprise up to now three months
- 10% of Boomers have chosen a product primarily based on the model’s dedication to range/inclusion up to now three months
- 6% of Boomers have chosen a product primarily based on the model being woman-owned up to now three months
- 5% of Boomers have chosen a product primarily based on the model being owned by an individual of shade up to now three months
- 5% of Boomers have chosen a product primarily based on the model being owned by a member of the LGBTQ+ group up to now three months
Whereas one in 5 Boomers have chosen a product primarily based on the model being a small enterprise up to now three months, identity-based points are clearly not resonating with Boomers.
However is that because of Boomers being averse to firms taking a stance on social points, or is it as a result of they merely don’t contemplate them of their buy choices?
To search out out, we requested all Boomers in our survey how the next attributes impression their buy choices, if in any respect, utilizing a 5-point scale from a lot much less prone to more likely.
When points associated to identification, from the center to the appropriate aspect of the graph above, Boomers are overwhelmingly prone to say they don’t have any impression on their buy resolution. A small proportion of Boomers say they’re extra prone to buy on the subject of identity-related points, whereas a good smaller group say they’re much less possible to purchase.
So it’s a lot much less about whether or not they’re for or in opposition to a sure social trigger – these points are merely simply not a part of their buy choices, with just a few exceptions.
It seems Boomers are overwhelmingly extra possible to purchase from firms they belief with their information and those who deal with their workers effectively. Boomers are additionally extra possible to purchase from firms that donate a portion of their income, attempt to scale back their environmental impression, and are small companies, although many additionally say these actions don’t have any impression on their buy choices.
Since Boomers typically aren’t impacted by ESG initiatives, let’s dive into the components they do contemplate of their buy choices and discover out that are most necessary.
What Drives Boomers’ Buy Selections?
Value and high quality are probably the most thought of components in Boomers’ buy choices, far above some other technology.
However that are a very powerful? Let’s check out what Boomers prioritize when compelled to decide on simply three of the components they contemplate when making purchases:
Right here we see the same image as earlier than, with the addition of the best way a model treats its workers and whether or not a product is a necessity or a luxurious. Whereas the latter is a part of 29% of Boomers’ buy choices, simply 6% of them take how a model treats its workers into consideration, although it’s extremely necessary for individuals who do.
How Do Boomers Desire to Buy Merchandise?
81% of boomers choose to buy merchandise in-store. 53% favor on-line retailers like Amazon, and one other 36% like to buy straight from an organization’s web site. Boomers additionally choose utilizing an organization’s cellular app over ordering by cellphone or via social media.
How Do Boomers Wish to Pay?
Boomers overwhelmingly choose shopping for merchandise at full value each time they want them, in response to 86% of these over age 55. 10% of Boomers choose paying in installments, and simply 4% favor a subscription mannequin.
Nonetheless, 13% of Boomers have bought a subscription plan for a bodily product up to now three months:
Assembly Your Targets The place They Are
Now you will have all the information it’s essential to discover and interact your target market!
Whereas this information has what it’s essential to know proper now, shopper buying habits change quickly – that’s why we’ll be operating this identical survey each few months and reporting again on any traits you want to concentrate on.
For an total take a look at how common audiences are buying, you too can try this publish on total buying traits from the identical survey we word above.
And for much more information on the important thing shopper traits that would impression your advertising technique within the subsequent six months, try our upcoming State of Shopper Traits Report and downloadable PDF.
Within the meantime, try our most up-to-date analysis report under.