Gen Z and Alpha Begin Seeking Offline Experiences

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Generation Z and Alpha are beginning to show a tendency to seek offline experiences amidst a daily life that is increasingly dominated by digital activities.

Marketing expert and Managing Partner of Inventure Indonesia, Yuswohady, stated that this trend is evident in the growing need among the younger generation to reduce screen time and engage in direct, hands-on experiences.

“Currently, I see a trend towards offline engagement, particularly among Gen Z and Alpha. Because they are starting to reduce their screen time, they are beginning to seek offline experiences,” Yuswohady said when contacted by ANTARA on Saturday.

According to him, this tendency is a development in consumer behaviour following the period of accelerated digitalisation during the pandemic. The rapid increase in digital activities previously made consumers increasingly accustomed to various online-based services.

However, the increasing integration of digital channels into daily life has also prompted a need for different types of experiences. For generations raised in a digital environment, in-person activities can become a way for them to spend time and interact.

Yuswohady refers to this development as the “Offline Generation” phenomenon, particularly among Gen Z and Alpha.

“So, there is now a trend called the Offline Generation. Gen Z and Alpha are starting to reduce screen time, and subsequently, they are seeking offline experiences,” he noted.

Yuswohady stated that this phenomenon is also visible in the development of several areas that serve as community gathering points, including areas integrated with public transport or Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD).

He cited areas such as Blok M, Harmoni, and Dukuh Atas, which he believes are developing into spaces with high levels of community activity.

“Nowadays, places like Blok M, Harmoni, and Dukuh Atas are becoming spots for people to hang out; they are becoming social hubs,” he said.

According to Yuswohady, this development demonstrates that consumer demand for interaction and direct experience continues to hold space amidst the advancement of digital technology.

The tendency of the younger generation to seek offline activities is also one of the factors ensuring that physical channels remain relevant within the current retail and shopping landscape.