A recent CNBC article described boomers are sticking to department stores while Gen Zers felt no such loyalty. Is this trend irreversible?

David’s Bridal has opened a new tech-supported concept, “Diamonds & Pearls,” aimed at reaching Gen Z brides seeking luxury without losing affordability. What do you like about the concept?

A survey from ResumeBuilder.com finds 74 percent of managers believe Gen Z workers (ages nine to 24) are more challenging to work with than other generations. A news.com.au article explored whether older workers “could do better” adjusting to Gen Z.

Generation Z and Generation Alpha’s relationship with technology is, naturally, yielding different shopping habits from older audiences as the younger generations grow into consumers.

The “State of the U.S. Wine Industry” report from Silicon Valley Bank found that the only growth in the category came from consumers over 60.

A new off-mall store concept, Twisted by Wetzel’s, aims to inject creativity and excitement into the Wetzel’s product line and add a catchier look and feel to the experience.

Many young adults are aspiring to become social media influencers as a career, although the income potential remains questionable.  Has social media influencer marketing proved itself as a career worth pursuing?

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has launched a new store design – The Getaway – that seeks to make “every day feel as exceptional as the start of a long weekend” for the chain’s young Millennial and Gen Z customers. Do you think A&F is in a stronger or weaker position to deal with current market challenges than its rivals?

Gen-Z is expected to lead the creation of the metaverse, drawn by the allure of gaming, but some surveys indicate that even digital natives need to be convinced of the value of visiting virtual worlds. Are marketers relying too much on young gamers to establish the metaverse or is gaming the path to building interest?

A social media firestorm erupted after a manager of Dollar Tree store in Indiana last week posted a sign disparaging Gen-Z’s work ethic and proclaiming a “Baby Boomers ONLY” hiring plea. What’s your take on the work habits of Gen-Z versus previous generations when they were at the same stage in their lives?

A dominant 53 percent of teens identified Amazon.com as their favorite e-commerce site, according to Piper Sandler’s “Spring 2022 Taking Stock With Teens” survey. What’s driving the strong appeal of Amazon among younger consumers?

Despite heightened awareness over climate change threats in recent years, surveys continue to battle it out over how much of a premium consumers are willing to pay for sustainable goods. Do you think most consumers are willing to pay a little more, a lot more or no more for sustainable products?

Fifty-eight percent of consumers say social media will influence their holiday buying decisions, according to a new holiday survey. Are retailers and brands keeping up with the popularity of social media as a potential influencer of holiday purchases?

Tech savvy Gen-Z has unprecedented power to influence not only its peers but prior generations. But it’s important not to label them, according to an IRI white paper. What suggestions would you have around connecting and driving loyalty with Gen-Z?

Shein, the secretive fast fashion upstart from China, isn’t exactly environmentally sustainable or transparent but it’s crushing it with American teens. Why haven’t lack of transparency nor its sustainability challenges been much of a hurdle for Shein?

In 2019, a number of articles speculated whether the TikTok phenomenon would wind up being a fad. A number of reports in recent months, however, point to the video app becoming a primary tool to reach younger consumers.  Is TikTok moving past Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and other social platforms as the tool for engagement and shopping discovery with younger consumers?

A Bank of America report describes Gen Z as the “most disruptive generation ever,” due not only to their technological savviness but also for their focus on sustainability and activism. Do you see Gen Z behaving somewhat similarly to Millennials or a step-change different?

Shein, the mysterious Chinese fast-fashion e-tailer known for its “haul” videos on social media, has seemingly overnight become a leading fashion e-tailer among U.S. teens.  What do you think are the most important factors driving Shein’s rapid growth in the U.S. teen clothing marketplace?

Many members of Gen-Z, already struggling with adolescence, now have to add COVID-19 to the mix. How do you see COVID-19 affecting the Gen-Z consumer, particularly teenagers and young adults, in the near term?

A new study finds only 42 percent of owners and managers of independent liquor stores see them as viable in the long term. Do independent wine and liquor stores need to reinvent themselves for Millennials and Gen-Z?

The phrase “OK Boomer” comes from Gen-Zers posting it on TikTok, and Twitter as a retort to older generations being condescending to them. It becomes controversial when used to call out Boomers’ responsibility for Gen-Z’s sizable economic hurdles. How open should retailers be to selling merchandise featuring the “OK Boomer” phrase?

Barnes & Noble College sees itself as more than a just a bookstore for the millions of students, educators and others it serves. The company has found that serving its core Gen Z customers requires different approaches than those that worked with the generation(s) that preceded them. What do you think are the keys to attracting and keeping Gen Z consumers as customers?

According to a new study by JWT Intelligence and Snap Inc., 51 percent of Gen Z believe their generation is more creative than previous generations. What opportunities and challenges does Gen Z’s online and offline creativity present for marketers when it comes to communication and engagement?

66 percent of young consumers like brands with a social cause yet only 12 percent had “top of mind” associations between brands they were familiar with and a social cause. What’s causing the apparent disconnect between brands and their support of social causes in the minds of younger consumers?

If history teaches us one thing, it’s that spirituality is a surefire way to turn a profit. Is spirituality-based consumerism just a fad or a trend that mainstream retailers should take seriously?

According to a new study, a strong social media presence is a huge part of the loyalty equation for Millennials — and not having a responsive social media presence might even result in a lost sale. Do you believe that social media for customer service is an important loyalty driver in retailing today?

Gen Z is set to reshape America’s workforce as the oldest of them have started graduating from college. How will Gen Z workers be different from Millennials as they reach retail selling floors and corporate offices?

Gen Z is less likely than other generations to join loyalty programs, according to new research. Even more worrisome, Gen Z may be experiencing a disenfranchisement with contemporary businesses and brands. What characteristics of Gen Z clash with typical drivers of loyalty engagement?

Members of Generation Z are frequently identified as the first digital natives. But there is more to this financially sensitive, ethnically diverse group than mobile devices and Instagram. What aspects of Gen Z shopper behavior may marketers be missing with the spotlight largely aimed at their digital savviness?

According to a new study, Gen Zers find value provided at an individualized level as more important than personalized experiences shaped by the brand. Do you see Gen Z demanding more individualized shopping experiences?

Recent start-ups are connecting with Millennials and Gen Z in ways that might shock and impress traditional chain store owners. The ability to adapt to trends before one’s competitors is increasingly important. How prepared are large brands and retailers to identify generational trends?

The 35th semi-annual “Taking Stock with Teens” survey shows that teenage members of Gen Z have both increased their purchasing and time online. What shopping habits do you expect teens to take with them into adulthood and which ones will be left behind?

In a session at Shoptalk in Las Vegas, Lynn Gillis, principal at IRI, presented some insights into the shopping habits of Generation Z which could inform brands and retailers hoping to win them as customers now and in the future. Do you agree that characteristics like being price-oriented and appreciative of the value of money will define Gen Z?

Much of what we know about Gen Z is based on statistics that we’ve heard tossed around for so long that we’ve accepted them as fact. Which assumptions about the buying characteristics of Gen Z do you expect to change as more of its members reach adulthood?

Heavily inundated with advertising from conception, Gen Z customers have a built-in ad blocker. In a 2016 study by Vision Critical, 60 percent of Gen Z reported finding advertising “of any kind” disruptive. How can retailers create a relationship with customers from Gen Z who largely resent traditional advertising?

The Minnesota Vikings are used to working with young men. The team’s latest hire, however, is younger than any of its recent draft picks or free agents. He’s 18-year-old Jonah Stillman, a consultant helping the organization better understand and market to his Gen Z peers. Have retailers and brands been guilty of lumping Millennials and Gen Z together?

While much has been said about the digital prowess of the Gen Z generation, less attention has been paid to their yearning to contribute and participate with brands. Do you think Gen Z stands out as a participation-oriented generation?

While more digitally-savvy, Gen Z is expected to differ from Millennials in a few other ways, according to an American Express survey. How do you think Gen Z will differ from Gen Y as shoppers as they reach their peak spending years?

Condé Nast and Goldman Sachs have issued their annual Love List Brand Affinity Index, which seeks to discover the brands and retailers that connect — or not — with Millennials and Gen Z consumers. Are shopping apps helping to create consumers who are more calculated in their purchasing decisions?

In its biggest push ever into team sports, Target reached sponsorship agreements with Major League Soccer, U.S. Youth Soccer and one of MLS’s newest clubs, the Minnesota United FC. Does Target’s investment in soccer make sense?

With the help of 10 talented members of “Generation Z” — including bloggers, app developers, musicians, authors, surfers, athletes and artists aged 10 to 14 — Target has designed an apparel and accessories collection aimed at that demographic. Are collaborative efforts and related feedback more important in designing products for Gen Z?

Despite the widespread popularity of online shopping, Generation Z would actually rather shop in stores, according to a study conducted by IBM and the National Retail Federation. How can department stores, malls and other retailers make the most of Generation Z’s penchant for shopping in physical stores?

Having grown up with social media and assuming instant access to almost all things digital, Gen Z want it all, and they want it now, according to a study from Fung Global Retail & Technology. In what ways will Gen Z be different from Millennials? How must brands and retailers respond?

It’s still early days for Gen Z, but already one defining characteristic is abundantly clear: This generation is WiFi enabled. If the Millennials are the “digital natives,” then this age bracket might be the “internet-in-its-pocket” generation, according to David Bell, professor of marketing at Wharton. Do you see greater challenges for retailers and brands attempting to reach Gen Z versus Millennials?

Retailers are already hiring many members of Gen Z and some are wondering how the generation will fare as workers compared to preceding generations. What adjustments may retailers need to make to help Gen Z succeed at jobs in stores and at headquarters?