Press

Despite Retail’s Investment in the Metaverse, New Study from Zipline Finds 85% of Gen Z Is Indifferent About Brands Establishing a Virtual Presence

A purple-toned image shows a smartphone, shopping cart, delivery boxes, and a world map. A dotted line swirls across the background, suggesting connectivity and e-commerce.

Zipline’s Retail Metaverse Report surveyed 600 people across the country ages 13-50 to better understand how generational differences influence consumer perception of and participation in virtual retail experiences.

Key data from the report reveals:

  • 80% of Gen Z is “familiar” with the metaverse and 51% have participated in it through gaming, purchasing non-fungible tokens (NFTs), or other activities. While Millennials have comparable levels of familiarity with the metaverse (84%), their participation rate is much lower (37%).
  • 83% of people across all generations said gaming was their main reason for participating in the metaverse.
  • 42% of respondents across all generations who have participated in the metaverse have used it for shopping.
  • 84% of Gen X respondents said they were at least somewhat interested in receiving an NFT from their favorite brands compared to 70% of Millennials and 63% of Gen Z respondents.
  • 85% of Gen Z respondents reported feeling indifferent about brands developing a presence in the metaverse, but the same percentage said they’d be interested in hybrid in-store experiences that use mixed reality technologies to incorporate a virtual element to shopping.
A bold, pink uppercase letter “Z” with a blocky, stylized font on a white background.

Zipline

Zipline is an Intelligent Frontline Operating System that continuously optimizes performance across multi-location businesses by empowering teams with better context, clearer priorities, and the knowledge to act. Trusted by more than 150 leading global brands, Zipline brings communications, tasks, knowledge, learning, and performance insights together in one trusted system.

Text graphic stating: "We asked, 227 retail leaders answered, and a defining truth was revealed: HQ and stores are misaligned. Get the free report.
A woman with glasses and a grey sweater uses a tablet, with pink abstract shapes in the background.

Get Sidekick—the free monthly newsletter for retail ops and comms.

Guides & Resources

Stay ahead of retail industry technology.