Interested in the upcoming student retail trends for this year’s fall semester? Look no more! Keep reading to see what to expect from your student shoppers when they return to campus this fall.
Sustainability Still a Driver for Gen Z Students
Your current cohort of college students leans heavily into sustainability in retail. When they arrive at campus this fall, they’ll be searching for products made from recycled materials or brands that have some sort of sustainable certification as part of their brand. If a product in your store is not eco-friendly, chances are your student shoppers will pass it up for one that is.
Your Students Are Value-Conscious
Your students will focus their purchases on goods that provide emotional and social value while also hunting for bargains. More than three quarters of Gen Z shoppers wait for a product to go on sale before finalizing a purchase, while only 21% report regularly paying full price for an item. In tandem with this, they’re much more likely to purchase products that allow them to connect with others.
Clothing Will Likely Win Big
Gen Z doesn’t shy away from buying clothing and apparel in physical stores. In fact, they’re twice as likely as other generations to search for clothes in physical retail spaces. This is valuable information that can benefit your bookstore. As a brick-and-mortar store close to their dorms and apartments, your bookstore can capitalize on their clothing preferences by stocking up on school-related clothing and apparel.
Sources
https://www.campusstop.com/campus-merch-trends-every-bookstore-should-stock-this-fall/
https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/consumer-markets/library/gen-z-consumer-trends.html
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