Kunskapscenter

Report commissioned by retail software specialist Aldata

Consumers are changing and changing fast: digital media and the Internet have transformed the way people shop and interact while social networking sites link disparate individuals across countries or continents. This is especially true of younger age groups - the so-called "Generation Z" - who have grown up with the World Wide Web and who expect the same sort of slick systems they experience on their mobile phones, Xboxes or Wii to be commonplace everywhere - including high street stores.

In this report Freeelance Journalist and Industry Commentator Penelope Ody, looks at how generational changes are likely to affect consumer approaches to:

• "Green" issues - making environmental concerns a priority, rational or otherwise
• Social networking activities - enabling collective activities such as crowd sourcing
• Mobile technologies - which will become increasingly important for a generation brought up with mobile phones and the "always available" concept
• Preferred retail formats and opportunities

The report concludes with suggested strategic priorities which any business looking to medium to long-term plans needs to consider.