What was the last thing you remember buying?
Was it a gift or for yourself? Was it a deal or a splurge? Was it a common item or something unique? Did you buy it secondhand, online, at a small business or from a big-box store?
What, if anything, does this purchase reveal about your shopping habits overall?
In “How Gen Z Is Shopping,” the Nov. 28 edition of The Morning newsletter, Kailyn Rhone writes about how young people are spending their money:
Last year, Ella Henry bought all her holiday gifts secondhand. Henry, a 21-year-old student at Western Kentucky University, wanted to save money. But she ended up loving the hunt and the surprise of finding things she’d never see in a regular store. This year, her family took inspiration from her: All their Secret Santa gifts must be purchased secondhand.
Today, on Black Friday, many Gen Z shoppers won’t be scouring luxury stores or big-box aisles for their gifts. Instead, they are turning to thrift stores, consignment shops and resale apps. About 86 percent of Gen Z-ers say they’re more likely to purchase a secondhand holiday gift this year than they would have been, according to a report from eBay.
One reason is money. Gen Z-ers’ holiday spending this year is expected to fall 23 percent, according to recent research, so a used sweater from a big brand that costs less and lasts longer feels like a win.
But it’s not just about saving cash. The shoppers in this cohort — age 13 to 28 — are after pieces with character. They grew up on social media, where influencers made thrifting look fun, stylish and deeply personal. Now they want something unique. Something with a story. Something you can’t find in a mall window.
Students, read the entire article and then tell us:
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How would you describe your shopping habits? What do you most often buy? Where do you find these items? Does the article reflect how you shop and what matters to you?
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What most influences your shopping habits? For example, do you care about cost, ease, environmental impact, its unique quality or the ethics of how an item is made? Explain.
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Will you be giving gifts this holiday season? If so, do you plan to buy them, make them, offer your help or time, or something else? What do you think makes a good gift, and why?
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What are your thoughts on shopping in general? Is it something you enjoy or avoid as much as you can? Tell us why you do or don’t like it.
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If the reporter were to ask about your generation’s shopping habits, what would you tell her? What have you noticed about what others your age are buying and about how they are shopping that might be interesting to share?
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.
Natalie Proulx is an editor at The Learning Network, a Times free teaching resource.
The post How Do You Shop? appeared first on New York Times.
