Millennial parents shop differently from other generations

As they reach their late 20s and early 30s, many millennials are becoming parents. Recent findings from the spring edition of the National Retail Federation’s quarterly Consumer View report give insight into how these new parents shop, spend and engage with brands differently than parents in other generations. For one, more millennial parents remain loyal to brands (national or private label) than parents from other generations if they are impressed with those brands.

“The millennial generation has at turns confounded, inspired and challenged researchers and analysts with their spending habits,” NRF Director of Retail and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said. “As many millennials move into parenthood, we are beginning to see how their expectations and shopping preferences compare with those of previous generations. Whether it’s using a subscription service to make sure diapers don’t run out or going online to research the best crib or car seat, millennials shop differently than other parents.”

Born between 1981 and 1994, millennials are parents to 50 percent of today’s children, more than 1 million millennial women become new mothers each year, and millennials make a significant contribution to the $1 trillion that U.S. parents spend annually on raising their children, according to Washington-based NRF.

Millennial parents differ from other parents both in their lifestyle and shopping choices. According to the report, 40 percent hold a graduate degree, more than double the 19 percent of other parents. According to NRF’s findings, 69 percent of millennials earn more than the national median income of $59,000 a year, compared with 53 percent of other parents.

Millennials also hold a positive outlook on their futures: The generation’s consumer confidence has risen by more than 20 percentage points since 2008, and a third feel that their financial situation has improved over the last year. Eighty percent of millennials with children are in their 30s.
Millennial parents turn to their smartphones at every point during shopping to gain information, according to NRF. The study found 78 percent use their phones to research products (compared with 58 percent of other parents), 75 percent to check prices or availability (also compared with 58 percent) and 71 percent to pay at checkout or place an order (51 percent). In addition, 71 percent will leave a review, process a return or chat with customer service after purchasing, compared with 43 percent of other parents.

Millennial parents are often in a hurry, and 86 percent have used same-day shipping compared with just 67 percent of parents from other generations. And they’re willing to pay for convenience – only 53 percent expect free shipping on small orders under $50 compared with 66 percent of other parents. Subscription services – which can supply automatic refills and discounted prices on items such as diapers, formula and baby wipes – are used by 40 percent, compared with 18 percent of other parents.

“To keep parents of any generation happy, brands and retailers must deliver on both price and quality,” Cullen said. “But millennials are very concerned about good customer services and are twice as likely to back out of a purchase for lack of it. For millennials, service ranks ahead of convenience, selection and loyalty programs.”

Millennial parents say where they shop matters, with 44 percent only shopping at brands that reflect their social or political values, a factor cited by only 23 percent of parents from other generations.
Once a brand gains the loyalty of millennial parents, they are much more likely to stick with it than other parents. The survey found 49 percent remain loyal to a brand despite cheaper options, compared with 30 percent of other parents. And 52 percent will remain loyal despite more convenient options, compared with 35 percent of other parents, and 64 percent will shop at a brand they are loyal to before looking at a competitor, compared with 54 percent of other parents.

NRF’s national survey targeted 3,002 U.S. adult consumers 18 or older between Jan. 30 and Feb. 18.