Retail trends are shifting, and younger shoppers are leading the charge. Gen Z and millennials are dropping products once considered staples, thanks to changing values, tech-savvy behavior, and lifestyle shifts. Understanding what’s getting left behind helps brands, stores, and consumers keep pace—or get left in the dust. Below, we’ll explore 10 items younger shoppers increasingly abandon and what it means for today’s market. Whether you’re buying or selling, this insight keeps you one step ahead.
10 Things Young Shoppers Are Ditching
Image Source: 123rf.com
1. Mascara
Despite being a beauty classic, mascara is falling out of favor with younger shoppers. The “clean girl” aesthetic—natty skin, subtle glam—has led many Gen Zers to ditch heavy eye makeup. Fewer routines mean fewer mascaras bought or replaced each month. Brands need to innovate or pivot to light beauty to stay relevant. It’s a wake‑up call for makeup manufacturers everywhere.
2. Fast‑Fashion Denim Jackets
Gen Z now labels once‑trendy denim jackets as “uncool,” opting instead for aviator or biker styles. What was a staple season after season is now passé. Fast-fashion reliance backfires when trends shift quickly. Denim jackets may soon be relegated to second-hand racks. Brands should rethink their denim lines, or risk becoming irrelevant.
3. Luxury Designer Bags (at Full Price)
Younger shoppers are abandoning full‑price luxury accessories, favoring second‑hand or resale channels. Deep-pocket Gen Zers want ethical, value‑driven purchases. That means less “aspirational shopping” and more resale markets. Luxury brands ignoring affordable or sustainable alternatives risk being bypassed. It’s an attitude shift with hard sales consequences.
4. Smartphones (for “Dumbphone” Switchers)
Yes, smartphones still dominate—but niche is rising: feature‑phone users are growing, thanks to digital fatigue. For some younger users, simpler devices mean less stress and more genuine connection. They aren’t permanently leaving tech, but redefining how and when to use it. Smartphone manufacturers need to innovate not just with upgrades, but wellness. Your next phone may be designed for less screen time.
5. Alexa‑Only Smart Speakers
Younger demographics are moving away from single-purpose smart speakers, preferring all‑in‑one devices or none at all. Multitaskers want compact screens, video options, and privacy‑friendly features. As Gen Z embraces smarter ecosystems like phones and TVs, traditional speakers lose sales. Voice-first might be passé, while visual and cross-device tech wins. Companies should adjust their strategy or risk disappearance.
6. Disposable Water Bottles
With sustainability front and center, younger shoppers are rejecting single-use plastics. It’s not just reusable bottles—they’re also skipping bottled water at checkout. Instead, they fill up at cafes, filter at home, or add flavor drops. Environmental impact matters as much as convenience for Gen Z. Brands relying on disposables must pivot quickly or lose relevance.
7. Cable‑Only TV Bundles
From traditional cable to streaming—and shopping—is where it’s heading. Gen Z favors on-demand content and bundles that combine services like Netflix with live TV. Cable‑only bundles feel expensive, outdated, and inflexible. Young consumers vote with their subscriptions, and cable is losing votes. Providers need hybrid, app‑centric models or risk becoming niche.
8. Physical Wallets
Digital wallets are winning, especially among younger shoppers. Over half of Gen Z insist on stores accepting Apple Pay or similar, or they walk away. Carrying less plastic, using mobile payments, and tapping–paying is their norm. If retailers don’t adapt, they lose this high‑spending demographic. Physical wallets? They’re fading fast.
9. Full‑Price Fast Furniture
Image Source: 123rf.com
Impulse buys from big-box furniture stores aren’t cutting it. Younger shoppers want sustainable, durable, modular pieces. They compare prices, read reviews, and shop marketplaces before committing. That means store-floor staples lose traction, and younger shoppers move on. Furniture brands must rethink value beyond low price tags.
10. Impulse Groceries
Older generations might grab snacks or magazines at checkout, but Gen Z resists upsells. They value speed, convenience, and contactless purchases far more. Automation kills impulse. If checkout lanes can’t adapt, grocers lose impulse revenue. It’s cash register evolution—faster, smarter, less emotional.
It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Phase
Younger shoppers aren’t fickle—they’re reshaping markets. Whether it’s less mascara, smarter tech, or sustainable food and furnishings, their choices reflect deeper values and behaviors. Brands aiming to survive and thrive need to evolve their assumptions—fewer gimmicks, more relevance, digitization, sustainability, and authenticity.
Have you stopped buying any of these products, or replaced them with better options? Share your experiences and smart finds below!
Read More
9 Common Discount Labels and What They Really Mean for Shoppers
