New Year, New Generation: 5 Things to Know About Gen Z

millennials, who are in their late 30s now.

It’s also fair to note that a few of the traits outlined below are ones common among consumers of all ages today—checking reviews, for example, and loving Instagram—because technology has changed how many people shop, regardless of when they were born.

The Center for Generational Kinetics published its 2018 study on Generation Z in the fall.

Below are five of the standout points Dorsey shared in our interview.

A free copy of the entire report, “The State of Gen Z 2018,” can be downloaded from The Center for Generational Kinetics’ website.

1. It’s all about influencers, though not necessarily the biggest ones.

Members of Generation Z look to online influencers, more so than traditional spokespeople like celebrities or athletes, when it comes to making decisions about what they want to buy.

According to the study, nearly half—46 percent—follow more than 10 influencers on social media, and that number is even higher among women.

Influencers are so, well, influential with this crowd that Gen Z even sees it as a career path. Dorsey said they tell the center’s researchers that they want to be influencers, much like the way people of previous generations would list careers like lawyer or astronaut. Wow.

I asked Dorsey what consumers in this age bracket think of the whole issue of disclosure—that influencers are supposed to tag posts in a way that makes it obvious it is an ad but many don’t.

He said they think they can discern when it is an ad, or they just assume it is one, and that the influencer is getting money and/or free product from the brand.

“The trust is in the person. They are assuming to some degree, at some level, the personal really does believe in this product or service. Now whether that’s true, we don't know,” Dorsey said.

If influencers are promoting products/services that turn out not to be as advertised, that will eventually catch up with them.

There is also an increase in interest among this generation in what are known as micro-influencers (less than 10,000 social media followers) or nano-influencers (less than 1,000), people who have far fewer followers than, say, Gen Z juggernaut Kylie Jenner (123 million followers on Instagram) but are seen are less commercial and more legitimately passion about the product they are sharing.

2. They read multiple reviews.

The survey showed that Gen Zers read at least three reviews before making a first-time purchase, looking at Google, Facebook and other platforms, like the comments on Instagram.

Regardless of whether they are 23 or 13, “They’re conditioned to see what other people are saying about this (product or service,),” Dorsey said.

“Whatever your price point is, you’ve got to have ratings and reviews. Don’t think because it’s targeted at a younger demographic they are not reading reviews, because that’s not the case.”

3. The No. 1 platform for engaging with members of Generation Z is …

Instagram. Start using it if you haven’t already and be consistent.

4. Their default screen is not a TV.

It is their smartphone and/or tablet.

They love YouTube, and it’s not just about viral videos or watching influencers. The survey shows that the video website is the No. 1 place they go to learn about a potential employer.

5. They are a lot like their grandparents.

Whereas millennials were the children of baby boomers, members of Generation Z (again, ages 23 to 13) are the children of Generation X (roughly now 39 to 54) and even some older millennials, and the grandchildren of the baby boomers, who are now in their early-70s to mid-50s.

Just like the baby boomers were raised by the generation that lived through the Great Depression, Gen Zers were raised by parents who lived through the Great Recession, and they were raised in a way that makes them like their baby boomer grandparents.

Dorsey said they love to save money—according to him, 12 percent of Gen Zers are already saving for retirement—and they have a disdain for debt, generally avoiding overcharging on credit cards and choosing less expensive schools to avoid student loans piling up.

When they do make a purchase, they are looking to get the most value possible, to buy something that is durable and sustainable.

Dorsey advises retailers to emphasize the utility and value of their jewelry and watches utility—the fact that they will last a long time—rather than just selling them as luxury items.

“For jewelry, that messaging will be really important. We can’t just assume the next generation knows that.”

He also delivered one final piece of advice for jewelers: don’t sleep on the next generation, even though they are young and not necessarily out there buying fine jewelry now.

“Many, many people in the jewelry business waited too long to adapt to millennials,” he said. “In many cases, retailers got caught flat-footed.

“Take the time now to get to know Gen Z so you are on-trend and ready for them as they emerge, rather than playing catch-up later, which is much harder and more expensive.”