Episode 38
Gen Z: They're Not Disloyal. They're Just Not Yours
Published on:
18th May, 2026
You've heard it said that Gen Z are disloyal. They switch brands constantly, they don't commit, they jump around. But what if that's the wrong lens entirely?
Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.
This is Part 2 of my three-part miniseries, "The Loyalty Illusion" — and in this episode I dig deep into what's really driving Gen Z behaviour.
Spoiler: it's not disloyalty.
What We Cover
- Why 'disloyal' is the wrong word for Gen Z — and what's actually going on
- Why gamification creates engagement but not attachment — the pseudo-loyalty trap
- Why the new competitive battlefield is something you've perhaps not considered
- What this means practically for your retail or eCommerce strategy right now
Coming next week...
- Episode 3 will answer the big question: what actually builds real, lasting connection with this generation?
Resources & Links
- Download the free Loyalty Illusion Guide: retailchampion.co.uk/retail-playbooks
- The Retail Champion: www.retailchampion.co.uk
- All episodes: retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk
- Subscribe to Retail Reckoning wherever you get your podcasts
Connect & Share
If this episode made you rethink your Gen Z strategy, leave a review, share with a fellow retailer, or find me on social media. The conversation is just getting started — and Episode 3 is where it all comes together.
