15 Gen Alpha Consumer Trends & Statistics You Need To Know In 2024
DealAid curates Generation Alpha (born after 2010) consumer statistics and shopping habits from public data, organizations and other sources. You will find key statistics for Gen Alpha consumers below. Please refer to the footnotes for original data sources.
*This resource will be updated with more recent statistics when more data becomes available.
Key Gen Alpha Statistics
- Generation Alpha will account for 2 billion people worldwide by 2025 making it the largest cohort among all generations.
The emerging cohort of Generation Alpha, born after 2010, is projected to reach a staggering population of 2 billion individuals globally by the year 2025, surpassing all other generational cohorts in size and diversity.
- In the United State, there are already 45.6 million Gen Alpha and they are more diverse than the average American.
With a current population of 45.6 million in the United States alone, the rising cohort of Generation Alpha is not only rapidly expanding but also uniquely diverse, boasting a greater range of ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds than the average American population.
- 65% of Gen Alpha children ages 8-11 have access to a mobile phone.
The prevalence of mobile phone usage among the upcoming generation of Gen Alpha is on the rise, with a notable 65% of children aged 8 to 11 having access to a mobile phone, indicating a significant shift in the way younger generations are engaging with technology and communication.
- 87% of Gen Alpha parents report that their purchasing decisions are influenced by their children which translates up to $500 billion in annual spending.
The influence of Gen Alpha children on the purchasing decisions of their parents is becoming increasingly pronounced, with an overwhelming 87% of parents from this cohort acknowledging that their buying behaviors are heavily swayed by the preferences in games, toys, apparel, food, drinks and events which can be as much as $500 billion a year.
- 54% of Gen Alpha teens search for things they want to buy on social media.
The influence of social media on the purchasing habits of Gen Alpha teenagers is becoming increasingly significant, with a notable 54% of this cohort now utilizing social media platforms as a primary source for discovering and researching products and services they wish to purchase, reflecting a notable shift in the way younger generations are engaging with e-commerce and digital marketing.
- Friends(28%), influencers(25%) and family(21%) have the biggest impact on Gen Alpha shopping preferences.
Gen Alpha’s shopping preferences are primarily shaped by three key factors – the opinions of their friends (28%), social media influencers (25%), and the recommendations of their family members (21%) – revealing the growing significance of peer-to-peer networks, digital marketing, and personal relationships in shaping the consumer behaviors of the upcoming generation.
- 66% of Gen Alpha consumers would prefer to buy from companies that are trying to do good in the world.
With a growing awareness of social and environmental issues, a significant majority of Gen Alpha consumers, comprising of 66%, express a strong preference for purchasing from companies that are actively involved in social responsibility initiatives and striving to make a positive impact in the world, highlighting the increasing importance of ethical values and sustainability in the decision-making process of the upcoming generation.
- Online videos(24%), TV ads(19%) and social media posts(19%)are the most preferred ways to influence Gen Alpha purchasing decisions.
To capture the attention and influence the purchasing decisions of Gen Alpha, companies and brands are increasingly turning to a range of media channels, including online videos (24%), traditional TV ads (19%), and social media posts (19%), which have emerged as the top three preferred modes of communication for this cohort, reflecting the growing significance of digital and visual media in shaping the consumer behaviors of the younger generation.
- 23% of Gen Alpha consumers would prefer to buy everything they need from one place.
Simplicity and convenience are key priorities for a significant proportion of Gen Alpha consumers, with a noteworthy 23% expressing a preference for purchasing all of their required products and services from a single source, reflecting a growing trend of seeking out all-in-one solutions to simplify the shopping experience for this upcoming generation.
- 83% of Gen Alpha consumers prefer faster or next day delivery for purchases made online.
The expectations of Gen Alpha consumers when it comes to online shopping are evolving rapidly, with a staggering 83% of this cohort expressing a strong preference for faster or next day delivery options when making purchases online, reflecting a growing demand for instant gratification and seamless shopping experiences that cater to their busy and fast-paced lifestyles.
- Online(21%), Retail(19%) and Omnichannel(15%) are the most preferred ways for Gen Alpha consumers to shop.
The preferred modes of shopping among Gen Alpha consumers are rapidly evolving, with a notable 21% of this cohort now expressing a preference for online shopping, followed closely by in-person retail experiences at physical stores (19%), and the hybrid omnichannel approach that blends online and offline experiences (15%).
- Voice assistant shopping (9%) and AR/VR shopping (8%) are popular alternative ways of shopping among Gen Alpha consumers.
In addition to the traditional modes of shopping, Gen Alpha consumers are also beginning to embrace emerging technologies and innovative shopping experiences, with a growing number of this cohort opting for voice assistant shopping (9%) and augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) shopping (8%), highlighting the increasing importance of technology and innovation in shaping the future of consumer markets and offering new and exciting ways for younger generations to engage with the shopping experience.
- Up to 79% of Gen Alpha children play video games frequently, making digital immersion a key aspect of the shopping experience.
As a digitally-native cohort, a significant majority of Gen Alpha children, comprising up to 79%, now engage in frequent video game play, underscoring the growing importance of digital immersion and interactive experiences in shaping the preferences and expectations of this emerging demographic when it comes to shopping and entertainment.
- 70% of Gen Alpha consumers in the US are aware of Amazon Prime.
With its vast product selection, rapid delivery, and range of benefits, Amazon Prime has become a household name among a significant majority of Gen Alpha consumers in the US, with up to 70% of this cohort expressing awareness of this popular membership program, highlighting the impact of this retail giant in shaping the expectations and preferences of younger generations when it comes to online shopping and delivery services.
