In our previous articles, we’ve already mentioned the GenZ preferences and shopping behavior. This time, let’s focus on the new generation expectations and some online store examples.
Gen Z expectations
Conversational Commerce
Zoomers are looking for new ways to connect with their favorite brands. The rise in the number of D2C (direct-to-consumer) brands can be seen as one of the proofs that Gen Z wants to communicate directly with companies. In addition, conversational commerce is gaining momentum now, which makes sales a part of messengers and other communication apps.
Chinese messengers were the first to combine messaging with sales and create convenient sales platforms. The eCommerce giant JD.com, the second popular eCommerce platform after Alibaba in China, has a store on WeChat, one of the most trendy instant messengers in the country. In July, the company doubled its supply by launching Westore or Weixin Xiaoshangdian. This service has product listings, order management, payment and delivery management, and many other features for online shopping, catering to the growing trend of Gen Z online shopping.
In Japan, the evolving landscape of Gen Z consumer trends is vividly reflected by Line, the all-encompassing app widely embraced by the majority of the Japanese population. Within Line, users now have the ability to seamlessly explore stores of their preferred brands, peruse products, and make purchases—all within the confines of the messenger platform. Line Official Accounts further amplify customer engagement, offering a diverse range of communication opportunities. These include push notifications, updating users on new products, and pop-ups featuring enticing discounts.
A prime example of the effectiveness of Gen Z online shopping strategies can be observed through Applebum, a notable Japanese streetwear brand. Leveraging Line, the brand strategically dispatches up to six messages weekly, capturing the attention of 30% to 40% of its subscribers daily. This success story underscores the profound impact and efficiency of incorporating Gen Z consumer trends into online retail approaches, marking a significant shift in the way businesses connect with this tech-savvy demographic.
Shared values
A purchase is often not just a transaction, but a statement that reflects the company mission and values. According to Inside Retail, 63% of this generation of shoppers want to know that their spending is ethical and they prefer companies that contribute to solving public issues.
These challenges include climate change, gender and racial inequality, and unfair labor relations. For example, McKinsey’s analysis, which took into account the websites and mailings of more than 2,000 fashion brands, showed that from 2016 to 2018 the word “feminist” began to appear more than five times more often. During the recent Black Lives Matter protests, many companies proactively expressed their attitude as well. For example, Sephora and Rent the Runway have joined the “15% Pledge”. The initiative encourages retailers to allot 15% of their shelves for black manufacturers’ products.
Community commerce
It is a new phenomenon that mimics social life, including building connections with other people and communities. To implement community commerce, brands need to change the code of conduct: focus on co-creation and user-generated content, sincerity, and direct customer engagement. Understanding gen Z shopping habits is crucial in tailoring strategies that resonate with this demographic.
Social inclusiveness can also imply demonstrating your social responsibility.
GenZ online store examples
Social proof
According to Accenture research, 70% of Gen Z buyers write reviews, and 40% report they give feedback. Reviews are not the only type of the social proof. You can showcase user-generated content on your eCommerce site, as Reebok does, to amplify interest in your brand, reflecting the influence of Gen Z purchasing behavior.
For CS-Cart stores, the only thing is required is to connect the Instagram Feed Widget add-on. By doing so, your online store will be able to showcase their Instagram feed right on the storefront.
Product finder
You can build an add-on that manages filters from characteristics in order to advise clients their best fit. Take a look at the Shoe Finder feature on Asics webstore. It assists customers in finding the right product, and this functionality can be especially beneficial for gen Z clothing stores.
1. Their platform allows for several questions to refine the customer request;
2. After each question, the system makes the product selection more specific taking into account the previous answer;
3. All questions are simple Yes- or No-sentences accompanied with a graphical demonstration of the answer.
Chats
The conversational strategy is the fastest way to retain leads and chat is the most effective form of that strategy. It helps to respond quickly and in a more informal way. GenZers love to communicate with their favourite brands directly. If you don’t have an in-built on-line chatbot, it’s time to think of it.
Generation Z Theme is a theme by Simtech Development designed with the focus on UX and UI elements tailored to Gen Z shopping online. It considers the shopping behaviour of Gen Zers who like to swipe and scroll, a simplified navigation to hop between tabs, impressive banners, and sharing buttons.
What customers say about Generation Z Theme
Fantastic theme. Worth the money. Beautiful, fast and functional.
Warren
This is a very good theme. I installed it by myself and had a problem. But SimTech give me a very fast response service and fixed my issues. I bought other themes from SimTech and I am very happy with them. I also will buy more themes and addon from them.
Wai Phyo Lin
This theme is amazing. I had an issue with the way the theme was displayed and the support I got was super friendly and fast to resolve the issue. Will buy other addons from Simtech for sure.
Elie
The theme is fully customizable. All CS-Cart and Multi-Vendor owners can adopt the best trends 2021 to fit the GenZers preferences and increase their sales.