Generation Z’s Shopping Behavior in Second-Hand Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Emotions, Gender Dynamics, and Environmental Awareness

This study investigates the shopping behavior of Generation Z towards second-hand clothing in Slovakia, focusing on in-store experiences and their relationship with emotions, gender, and environmental awareness. Data were collected from 340 respondents through an online survey conducted between Nove...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Veronika Harantová, Jaroslav Mazanec
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/4/413
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849712189216129024
author Veronika Harantová
Jaroslav Mazanec
author_facet Veronika Harantová
Jaroslav Mazanec
author_sort Veronika Harantová
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the shopping behavior of Generation Z towards second-hand clothing in Slovakia, focusing on in-store experiences and their relationship with emotions, gender, and environmental awareness. Data were collected from 340 respondents through an online survey conducted between November 2024 and January 2025. The results indicate that feelings such as authenticity, fun, and interest in finding fashionable items are significantly associated with gender. Across all five dimensions, women perceive second-hand clothing shopping more positively than men. The biggest difference between the sexes is that women find this shopping more fun, enjoyable, and authentic. Men tend to be slightly more skeptical in their evaluation, with the lowest average score (2.65) on the question of whether shopping is “fun”. The study also reveals a strong correlation between the shopping experience and consumer attitudes. Individuals with prior experience in buying second-hand clothing exhibit greater environmental awareness, a stronger emotional connection with clothing, and a higher likelihood of participating in clothing swap events. Conversely, those without experience often harbor prejudices related to hygiene and perceive second-hand shopping as time-consuming and inconvenient. These findings highlight the importance of in-store experiences and the role of emotions in shaping consumer behavior towards second-hand clothing. The results have implications for retailers and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable consumption practices and enhance the appeal of the second-hand clothing market.
format Article
id doaj-art-72ef69de569b41d78673c09f391e48e1
institution DOAJ
issn 2076-328X
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Behavioral Sciences
spelling doaj-art-72ef69de569b41d78673c09f391e48e12025-08-20T03:14:21ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-03-0115441310.3390/bs15040413Generation Z’s Shopping Behavior in Second-Hand Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Emotions, Gender Dynamics, and Environmental AwarenessVeronika Harantová0Jaroslav Mazanec1Department of Quantitative Methods and Economic Informatics, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, 010 26 Zilina, SlovakiaDepartment of Quantitative Methods and Economic Informatics, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, 010 26 Zilina, SlovakiaThis study investigates the shopping behavior of Generation Z towards second-hand clothing in Slovakia, focusing on in-store experiences and their relationship with emotions, gender, and environmental awareness. Data were collected from 340 respondents through an online survey conducted between November 2024 and January 2025. The results indicate that feelings such as authenticity, fun, and interest in finding fashionable items are significantly associated with gender. Across all five dimensions, women perceive second-hand clothing shopping more positively than men. The biggest difference between the sexes is that women find this shopping more fun, enjoyable, and authentic. Men tend to be slightly more skeptical in their evaluation, with the lowest average score (2.65) on the question of whether shopping is “fun”. The study also reveals a strong correlation between the shopping experience and consumer attitudes. Individuals with prior experience in buying second-hand clothing exhibit greater environmental awareness, a stronger emotional connection with clothing, and a higher likelihood of participating in clothing swap events. Conversely, those without experience often harbor prejudices related to hygiene and perceive second-hand shopping as time-consuming and inconvenient. These findings highlight the importance of in-store experiences and the role of emotions in shaping consumer behavior towards second-hand clothing. The results have implications for retailers and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable consumption practices and enhance the appeal of the second-hand clothing market.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/4/413correspondence mapgeneration Zconsumer behaviorsecond-hand clothingconsumer attitudes
spellingShingle Veronika Harantová
Jaroslav Mazanec
Generation Z’s Shopping Behavior in Second-Hand Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Emotions, Gender Dynamics, and Environmental Awareness
Behavioral Sciences
correspondence map
generation Z
consumer behavior
second-hand clothing
consumer attitudes
title Generation Z’s Shopping Behavior in Second-Hand Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Emotions, Gender Dynamics, and Environmental Awareness
title_full Generation Z’s Shopping Behavior in Second-Hand Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Emotions, Gender Dynamics, and Environmental Awareness
title_fullStr Generation Z’s Shopping Behavior in Second-Hand Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Emotions, Gender Dynamics, and Environmental Awareness
title_full_unstemmed Generation Z’s Shopping Behavior in Second-Hand Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Emotions, Gender Dynamics, and Environmental Awareness
title_short Generation Z’s Shopping Behavior in Second-Hand Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Emotions, Gender Dynamics, and Environmental Awareness
title_sort generation z s shopping behavior in second hand brick and mortar stores emotions gender dynamics and environmental awareness
topic correspondence map
generation Z
consumer behavior
second-hand clothing
consumer attitudes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/4/413
work_keys_str_mv AT veronikaharantova generationzsshoppingbehaviorinsecondhandbrickandmortarstoresemotionsgenderdynamicsandenvironmentalawareness
AT jaroslavmazanec generationzsshoppingbehaviorinsecondhandbrickandmortarstoresemotionsgenderdynamicsandenvironmentalawareness