Despite clear differences in expectations among shoppers of different generations, almost half of retailers (44 percent) have made no progress in tailoring the in-store shopping experience according to a recent study conducted by Oracle NetSuite, Wakefield Research and The Retail Doctor. The global study of 1,200 consumers and 400 retail executives across the U.S., U.K. and Australia dispelled stereotypes around generations and found big differences in generational expectations across baby boomers, Gen X, millennials and Gen Z.
"Retailers have fallen behind in offering in-store experiences that balance personalization and customer service but there's an opportunity to take the reins back,” said Bob Phibbs, CEO, The Retail Doctor. “The expectation from consumers is clear and it's up to retailers to offer engaging and custom experiences that will cater to shoppers across a diverse group of generations."
Retailers struggle to keep stride with generational shoppers
The in-store shopping experience remains an important part of the retail environment for all generations, but the progress retailers are making to improve the in-store experience is being viewed differently by different generations.
- Despite the stereotypes of "digital natives", Gen Z and millennials (43 percent) are most likely to do more in-store shopping this year followed by Gen X (29 percent) and baby boomers (13 percent).
- Gen Z and millennials (57 percent) had the most positive view of the current retail environment feeling it was more inviting, followed by Gen X (40 percent). Baby boomers (27 percent) were more likely to find the current retail environment less inviting than consumers overall.
- Gen Z valued in-store interaction the least with 42 percent feeling more annoyed from increased interaction with retail associates. In contrast, millennials (56 percent), Gen X (44 percent) and baby boomer (43 percent) generations all noted they would feel more welcomed by more in-store interactions.
Retailers view emerging technologies through rose-colored glasses
While more than three quarters of retail executives (79 percent) believe having AI and VR in stores will increase sales, the study found that these technologies are not yet widely accepted by any generation.
- Overall, only 14 percent of consumers believe that emerging technologies like AI and VR will have a significant impact on their purchase decisions.
- Emerging tech in retail stores is most attractive to millennials (50 percent) followed by Gen Z (38 percent), Gen X (35 percent) and baby boomers (20 percent).
- Perceptions of VR varied widely across different generations. Fifty-eight percent of Gen Z said VR would have some influence on their purchase decisions, while 59 percent of baby boomers said VR would have no influence on their purchase decision.
Insta-famous brands reach Gen Z and millennial consumers, but not as much as retailers think
While almost all retail executives (98 percent) think that engaging customers on social media is important to building stronger relationships with them, the study found a big disconnect with consumers across all generations.
- Overall, only 12 percent of consumers think their engagement with brands on social media has a significant impact on the way they think or feel about a brand.
- Among those who engage with brands on social media, Gen Z (38 percent) consumers are much more likely than other generations to engage with retailers on social to get to know the brand compared to millennials (25 percent) and baby boomers (21 percent).
- Gen Z (65 percent) consumers and millennials (63 percent) believe their engagement with brands on social media platforms have an impact on their relationship with brands.
- More than half of baby boomers (53 percent) and 29 percent of Gen X consumers do not engage with brands on social media.
"After all the talk about brick and mortar stores being dead, it's interesting to see that 'digital natives' are more likely to increase their shopping in physical stores this year than any other generation," said Greg Zakowicz, senior commerce marketing analyst, Oracle NetSuite.
