ABSTRACT

Contemporary Consumption, Consumers and Marketing: Cases from Generations Y and Z explores current consumer, consumption and marketing cases and issues, posing questions that complement, extend and challenge established marketing theory while keeping in mind megatrends such as climate crisis, economic inequality and digital connectivity. It also considers how such major changes affect consumer societies, cultures and individuals, especially those from Generations Y and Z.

Each chapter is built around a theme that encapsulates current theoretical and professional debates around consumption, consumers and marketing. Examples and up-to-date case studies throughout the book explore how brands are adapting to current circumstances across Generations X, Y and Z and investigate the state of marketing at a time of flux.

This book is essential reading for undergraduates, postgraduates and practitioners interested in marketing and consumer behaviour.

chapter 1|21 pages

Relevance

Connecting with consumers – generations Y and Z inspired by K-pop

chapter 2|14 pages

Reconstruction

Ideological consumer engagement – vegan extremism and BrewDog revolution

chapter 3|18 pages

Reassurance

Consumer nostalgia and never growing up – Otaku, Pokémon, Lego and Hikikomori

chapter 4|14 pages

Reinvention

Evolving consumer identities – observing RuPaul’s drag race fans and reading Taylor Swift’s lyrics

chapter 5|15 pages

Reputation

Building and breaking brands offline and online – Halo Top, Angelababy and Fan Bingbing

chapter 6|16 pages

Refraction

Alternative realities and marketing fairy tales – myths around dropshipping, meerkats and backpackers

chapter 7|14 pages

Renown

Consumers at the centre of attention – tourists as celebrities and narcissism normalisation

chapter 8|15 pages

Rebalancing

Producing as well as consuming – the success of home-made spread versus the failure of Juicero

chapter 9|14 pages

Re-evaluating

Marketing amidst shit life syndrome – Oxycontin and iron challenges

chapter 10|15 pages

Reviving

Bringing marketing back – inspired by sex toys, slave-free sugar and Marks & Spencer