Home / Business and Economy / Gen Z Mall Comeback: Experience Over Online
Gen Z Mall Comeback: Experience Over Online
1 Aug
Summary
- Gen Z shoppers are returning to malls for immersive experiences.
- Brands like Urban Outfitters and Coach are redesigning stores.
- Physical store sales are now outperforming online for some brands.
Gen Z shoppers, aged 14 to 29, are increasingly returning to physical malls, seeking community and real-world experiences beyond online interactions. This trend is prompting retailers like Urban Outfitters and Coach to heavily invest in physical retail, redesigning stores to appeal to younger tastes.
Urban Outfitters is rolling out a new, Gen Z-focused store format with enhanced features. Edikted, a brand that gained popularity on TikTok, is expanding its brick-and-mortar presence, with in-city store sales now exceeding online sales in those same areas.
Coach is successfully rebuilding its image with Gen Z through various strategies, including archive revivals and innovative concepts like the Coach Coffee Shop. This focus on experiential retail is contributing to double-digit in-store sales growth, particularly driven by this younger consumer group.
