People tend to have the misconception that Millennials and Gen Z spend all their time on their phones taking selfies and doing dances on TikTok. 

What people tend to forget is that these two generations are changing the way people shop. Thanks to Millennials and Gen Z,  the demand for sustainable fashion has increased, and more people are learning the benefits of thrift shopping. 

Before your head to the nearest thrift, our team wants to share some insight into how these two generations are changing the way people shop. 

WHO ARE MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z?

Millennials are considered to be anyone born between 1981 and 1996. This generation is actually the largest generation in U.S. history. Yes, it is even larger than the Baby Boomers. They are considered to be the generation that killed off department stores and malls. 

Gen Z, also known as Generation Z, is the population between the ages of 1997 to 2012. This generation is actually the first generation to grow up online. They grew up having access to the internet and social media. This influenced everyday aspects of their life like communication and shopping habits. 

THE SHOPPING HABITS OF MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z

Although there are multiple debates online about whether Millennials or Gen Z is better, they are very similar. One of those similarities is shopping. For both Millennials and Gen Z, sustainability is an important part of their buying decision. 

Monitor research shows that 38 percent of Millennials and 40 percent of Gen Z consumers say they are willing to pay the total price for sustainable clothes. However, some Gen Z are not always willing to pay full prices for sustainable products. Fifty-seven percent of Gen Z say they want eco-friendly items without the high prices. 

This is where thrifting comes into play. One of the benefits of thrift shopping is eco-friendly fashion options without the high prices. A report found that Millennials and Gen Z are buying secondhand clothes 250 percent faster than other generations. 

The rise of secondhand clothes has boosted the growth of online thrifting. Apps, like Depop and Poshmark, allow users to buy and sell their used clothing online. On the other hand, online thrift stores have also taken over. Some thrift stores, like Thrift World, also have an online store allowing people to thrift anywhere in the world. 

WHY DO MILLENIALS AND GEN Z LOVE THRIFTING? 

Millennials and Gen Z love to thrift because of its sustainability, affordability and creativeness. Thrifting has allowed these generations to get clothes at affordable prices while not compromising on the environment’s health. This gives them more eco-friendly options than shopping fast fashion.

Aside from affordability and sustainability, Millennials and Gen Z love thrifting because of one-of-a-kind fashion. For many younger generations, finding clothes that allow them to express themselves is important. Thrifting allows people to get creative and stand out from the crowd with unique pieces. 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE NEAREST THRIFT?

Visit Thrift World. We have locations in Omaha, Council Bluffs and Independence, Missouri. We have a wide selection of clothing, accessories, home decor and furniture. If you cannot make it, we also have an online store! Check out our website here.