Shifting Narratives With Millennials and Generation Z on the rise, their retail shopping habits have affected everything, including the “Made in America” tag. This newer generation has different values and habits that prioritize sustainability and social impact over where the product is coming from. With online and social media influence creating a new world of retail, it has completely shifted the narrative of retail in America. With these values and habits taking more control in the shopping and retail market, it’s creating a divide within America’s shopping culture. Do we genuinely care about what companies are producing in America, or are we more concerned with saving money and ethical/sustainable shopping? Moving Forward Will “Made in America” continue its decline? Honestly, it’s hard to say; with companies like Walmart who are creating initiatives to help companies who pride themselves on their “Made in America” products, it’s created a better sense of stability within the tag. There will need to be more initiatives in the future; if more major retail companies speak out and show a plan to create a better market for “Made in America” products, it will skyrocket. It still matters and has a deep significance to America, but it hasn’t been keeping up with the times of the new retail world, and it needs to catch up. If companies are producing products within America and are not specifically targeting the newer generations, that is the reason for the decline. To stay relevant and current, you must show initiative with what Millennials and Generation Z are looking for. Understanding what the new generations need and want from retailers is significant to the future of retail and shopping. If companies who pride themselves on “Made in America” start understanding these differences from the past generations, it will create so much more business within America. Supporting locally and domestically has a huge impact; you just must market it the right way for the new generations to understand its importance.
Premier Flooring Retailer TISE | 2025 35
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software