Gen Z reshaped brand strategies in 2025, driving authenticity and digital innovation. From Swiggy's budget meals to K-pop collabs, discover how marketers captured this cohort's attention and what it means for 2026 campaigns.
The Gen Z Shift That's Redefining Brand Success
Picture this: a 22-year-old scrolling Instagram Reels during lunch, stumbling upon a quick video about affordable, single-serve meals. That impulse leads to an order via an app, all without leaving the social feed. In 2025, moments like these weren't accidents—they were the blueprint for marketing. Gen Z, now 16% of urban India and fully digital natives, forced brands to rethink everything from content creation to product design.
Brands that nailed it saw engagement soar. Take Swiggy's 99 Store launch: affordable Rs 99 meals delivered free across 700 cities. It targeted budget-savvy Gen Z users who wanted more transactions without the cost barrier.
Platforms Where Gen Z Lives and Shops
Forget traditional search engines—Gen Z turned to social and video platforms for discovery in 2025. Nearly half now search more on these sites than three years ago, with only 19% leaning into AI tools for queries.
Instagram and TikTok dominated, especially for lifestyle, fashion, and beauty. News? It's incidental now—91% of Gen Z use social media as their primary source, with 88% on video platforms. They follow niche creators (48%) over traditional outlets (43%), but trust established publishers more (47% vs. 39% for creators).
This shift hit media hard. The India Today Group rolled out an Instagram-first platform tailored for Gen Z, blending short videos and podcasts to match their screen time. JioStar amped up South Indian Gen Z programming by 7-10x, proving that visual, interactive storytelling wins.
Real Wins in Social Commerce
Brands adapted fast. Pulse Candy from DS Group teamed with K-pop star Aoora for a digital campaign, riding global pop waves to spark fandom. Tata Coffee Grand's 'Not Just Your Regular Coffee' push celebrated individuality, echoing Gen Z's love for self-expression.
In fashion and personal care, The Body Shop went all-in on digital influencers, while Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail launched OWND! for trend-chasers. Enamor updated its lingerie marketing to embrace visibility on digital feeds, following where Gen Z leads.
These aren't isolated cases. Influencers drove 29% of Gen Z purchases in 2025, a huge leap from other groups.
Data That Proves the Pivot Pays Off
Let's crunch the numbers. Gen Z makes up 96% digital natives in urban areas, online 87% of the time versus the 75% urban average.
| Metric | Gen Z Stat (2025) | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Product Discovery via Videos | 67% | Traditional search: 30% |
| Social Research Preference | 70%+ | AI tools: 19% |
| Influencer-Driven Purchases | 29% | Overall consumers: 15% |
| Social as News Source | 91% | Traditional media: 43% |
This table highlights why ignoring Gen Z costs reach. For instance, 41% of Gen Z buyers cite influencers as key, rising to 62% for frequent shoppers.
Expert take: Namita Kothari of Akoirah by Augmont notes, “Gold brands target Gen Z for a mindset shift, not just age. They're influential in dual-income homes and gifting, and they're tomorrow's core buyers.”
Strategies That Built Genuine Connections
Success boiled down to cultural fluency—treating Gen Z as a mindset, not a checkbox. Here's how brands did it:
- Platform-First Content: Short, emotional videos on Reels or TikTok, with GenAI for quick personalization. Avoid sensationalism; embed trust cues like sources.
- Affordability with Edge: Swiggy's 99 Store nailed hyper-local, value-driven offers without skimping on fun.
- Influencer Partnerships: Go micro for authenticity. 2025 saw K-pop and niche creators boost engagement by 130% in some campaigns.
- Community Over Sales: Build fandoms. The Body Shop's digital storytelling fostered loyalty, turning viewers into advocates.
But pitfalls? Inauthenticity kills. Gen Z spots fakes instantly and bounces. Cause and effect: Pushy ads lead to 50% lower retention; genuine collabs spike shares by 40%.
What about regulatory angles? With platforms tightening AI disclosure, brands must transparent-ize creator deals to maintain trust.
Looking Ahead: 2026's Gen Z Playbook
2025 showed Gen Z isn't a trend—it's the future. Brands that invested early, like Mia by Tanishq, gained loyalty that pays off long-term. For marketers, the action items are clear: Audit your content for authenticity, double down on video platforms, and partner with creators who embody the culture.
Watch for deeper AI integration in personalization and more hyper-local pushes. As Sidharth Bhakoo of Swiggy puts it, affordability drives growth, especially for those transacting often but watching costs.
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Liam Hartley
Gen Z marketing specialist with 8 years analyzing youth trends and digital strategies across Asia. Liam helps brands forge authentic connections with emerging consumers through data-backed insights.
