Now mostly in their 50s, Gen X feels like a lot of the things they love are being left behind by Gen Z. The way younger people live and the choices they make are different from traditions of the past. Here are 18 things that Gen X thinks Gen Z is moving away from.
Casual Dining Chains
According to CNN, “People between the ages of 18 and 24 ordered from (or at) restaurants 218 times on average between February 2021 and February 2022.” When Gen X was that age, this number was an average of 284 times. As a result, many traditional chains are closing their locations or rebranding.
Traditional TV Viewing
Subscription streaming services such as Netflix and Disney Plus offer consumers much more flexibility than scheduled TV programming. These services are also usually a lot cheaper than cable TV packages, which means that Gen Z can swap out the services they buy each month depending on the shows or movies they want to watch.
Department Stores
Gen X might love a shopping trip to a department store, but these kinds of retail businesses are seeing a lot less traffic due to the rise in online shopping. Gen Z tends to prefer shopping with e-commerce brands such as Amazon or online with individual shops such as Zara or H&M.
Print Media
Digital news platforms and social media mean that Gen Z gets their news on the go and in real time. This means that printed forms of news and media are often too out of date for this generation, and publications are seeing much fewer numbers of readers and subscribers.
Processed Foods
Gen Z consumers are more health-conscious than previous generations and often opt for fresh, organic, or locally sourced produce in their diets. Toast also says that “Gen Z is likely to stick to eating patterns that omit certain foods, such as sugary or highly processed items.”
Formal Work Dress Codes
Flexible and remote working means that it generally doesn’t make sense to have a formal dress code for the office anymore, and many workplaces have changed to a casual or smart-casual rule. This trend was influenced by the rise in tech startups, which generally prefer a more relaxed working environment.
Home Ownership
House prices have been on the rise over the last decades, and this cost, combined with higher levels of student debt and stricter mortgage requirements, is making it very tricky for Gen Z to get on the property ladder. On top of this, many young people prefer the flexibility that comes with renting.
Nightclubs
While Gen Z likes a night out with friends, they’re opting for more personalized, authentic experiences where they can socialize and chat. As a result, they’re often leaving large, busy nightclubs behind and instead favoring bars or gathering at each other’s homes.
Diamonds
A lot of young people see diamonds as outdated and overly commercialized and are opting for alternative stones or more ethical lab-grown diamonds. The Telegraph found that “Generation Z are buying second-hand engagement rings because of the environmental impact of newly mined gemstones.”
Fast Food Chains
As generally healthy eaters, Gen Z wants healthier, fresher, and more varied options than traditional fast food chains offer. Delivery apps offer consumers a lot more choice, plus the convenience of ordering restaurant-quality food from the comfort of their own homes.
Malls
Another casualty of online shopping, malls are simply not seeing as many consumers as they did when Gen X was younger. Consumers are opting for the convenience of e-commerce stores or out-of-town retail parks where it’s easier and cheaper to park. As a result, some malls are now being repurposed.
Bar Soap
Most young consumers think of liquid soaps and body washes as more convenient and hygienic than the bars of soap every home once used. This means that a lot of manufacturers are focusing on growing their liquid product lines and reducing the number of bar products they sell.
Business Cards
Printed business cards are expensive and can quickly become out of date, so many younger workers have switched to digital platforms such as LinkedIn or business card apps instead. This also reduces the risk of someone losing a business card before they get a chance to contact the individual.
Traditional Weddings
Many young couples are choosing intimate weddings that truly reflect them as a couple rather than large, traditional events. The Sustainable Wedding Alliance says, “Their focus on sustainability, authenticity, and personalized experiences is paving the way for a future where weddings are more than just a spectacle; they’re a meaningful reflection of love, commitment, and shared values.”
Movie Theaters
Streaming services and high-quality home entertainment systems are often more cost-effective than going to the cinema to watch the latest releases, plus consumers can watch the movies in their own time. This has led to a number of movie theaters closing and some studios releasing new movies straight to streaming platforms.
Traditional Work Hours
Work-life balance is more important for Gen Z than it was for Gen X, so the younger generation generally prefers jobs that offer flexible working hours and the option to work remotely. Many companies are adapting to allow for this to attract younger talent.
Chain Bookstores
This generation is more likely to read digitally, meaning they prefer to buy e-books or audiobooks from the likes of Kindle and Audible. Even when they do buy physical books, the convenience of online retailers such as Amazon means they rarely take a trip to a bookstore.
Network News
Sites such as Twitter, YouTube, and independent news platforms mean that Gen Z can get varied opinions and real-time updates on news that’s personalized to them. This generation is also less likely to watch scheduled TV, meaning networks such as CNN and NBC are seeing fewer viewers.
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