Why Generation Y Isn't Buying Your Products

Generation Y is typically considered to be made up of people born between 1979 and 1997.

We tend to live with only one parent, which makes us more open-minded than our predecessors. Our Baby Boomer parents taught us the importance of being socially conscious. Generation Y is also, of course, the most technologically savvy generation yet.

“As a 23-year-old consumer, I can tell you this: My attention is short, my demands are great and my purchases are diverse. I live in a day and age where social media apps, slogan tees and even Nike sneakers can be customized to fit my lifestyle.”

Because our generation responds and adapts rather quickly to social changes, we have emerged from the recession as “Recessionistas”. So informed shoppers who stick to tight budgets while still managing to stay trendy and cultured.

In addition to buying necessities and spending as Recessionistas, we continually strive for goods that express our individuality. In just a decade, we’ve influenced the production of monogrammed screen tees, colored laptop computers and rhinestone cell phone accessories.

If you’re able to keep these strategies in mind when marketing to Generation Y today, you’ll secure a lifelong customer in the future as we evolve into mature adults and parents.

Strategies to keep mind when marketing to Generation Y today

Appeal to our egos, our parents, AND THEN our senses.

Your products and services should appeal to our individuality, but they should also be something we can share with our Baby Boomer parents.
Again, brands such as the Gap and Nordstrom have successfully managed to offer products that both generations find appealing.
Another reason these brands have been so successful is because their strategic choice of music, lighting, color palette, layout and visual merchandising appeals to Generation Y.

Minimize the television ads.

We were glued to the tube as kids. We’ve learned to tune out traditional advertising
methods.
Convey your funny or emotional messages to Generation Y via guerilla, viral and social media marketing first, then supplement with traditional advertising.
Another tip: We love word-of-mouth referrals and celebrity endorsements.

Offer a new take on promotions.

If your store is at or near a location where we spend the majority of our tim, incorporate these locations into your promotions.
Consider cross-promoting with these venues as well.

In short, Generation Y are unpredictable. Our personalities and shopping patterns are so vastly different from what was previously exhibited by Generation X.