5 Millennial Retail & Shopping Trends Projected for 2022

When it comes to shopping and retail, trends change frequently and rapidly. Even with the shifting landscape of commerce, it’s still possible to notice and predict trends, especially among specific demographics, like millennials. The way that millennials shop is also unique compared to past generations, as the age of the internet has made so many new tools available that were never even conceived of before. Between that and the pandemic, 2022 is shaping up to be an interesting year in retail. Here are a few predicted trends for shopping and retail in 2022.

1.  Quality Over Quantity

When it comes to millennials and quality, the ride has been bumpy at times. With the rise of fast fashion and low-quality goods at decreased prices in the 2000s, millennials have been known to go for cheaper, low-quality items. However, as sustainability becomes a more prevalent issue and as millennials are aging as a demographic, many of them are going for higher quality, more ethically produced products overall.

2.  Thinking Long-Term

Going hand in hand with quality over quantity, millennials are often thinking much more long-term about their purchases than they have in recent years. As the population skews slightly older with each passing year, many of them are learning to save and manage money, which involves investing upfront in better quality items that last for years to come.

3.  Buy Now, Pay Later

This trend is beginning to grow among younger millennials, though it can also be seen in older millennials and even generation Z, too. While buy now, pay later companies were once popular as a form of credit, many online retailers have adopted programs like this to allow people to purchase expensive items and pay them off in installments. However, this does involve having debt and paying it off with interest rather than at its base price.

4.  MLMs Taking a Dive

MLMs had their brief moment in the sun, but even by 2020, they were beginning to sour in the minds of the public. Especially among the younger generations, these programs — which involve making money by signing sellers up beneath you and requiring employees to buy the products themselves — have been losing credibility. Most young people see them as nothing more than pyramid schemes now, and are distrustful of their predatory tactics.

5.  Practical Online Shopping

This one is a bit more widespread, but it’s definitely stuck around for the younger generation. The pandemic saw a rise in online shopping of all kinds — from clothing to household basics — and that has stuck around with millennials. Millennials order more household basics like groceries and paper products than they ever have before, and that’s subject to increase over time.

Millennial Retail and Shopping Trends

Shopping and retail change from year to year, and so many industries are growing with new generations. From shifts towards sustainability to new forms of credit, there are plenty of ways that 2022 is shaping up to be an interesting year in retail and shopping for millennials and beyond. Have you noticed any of these trends already starting?

Author Bio

Cora Gold’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.