Hyams, who works in social media and marketing, illustrates one of the traits of Gen Z that may be surprising. Kevin McCrain, CEO of Brookfield Properties' retail business, said Gen Z craves unique experiences that they can share in person and through social media. One of the most surprising findings of her Gen Z research was a simple one: Despite growing up in a world where everything from schoolwork to dating takes place on the internet, almost every Gen Z person she surveyed or interviewed said they preferred to communicate in person. That compares with only 30% at the company's Hollister brand, which tends to attract Gen Z shoppers. Compared with older generations, Gen Z shoppers also have high expectations of how brands connect their online and offline businesses.

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Persons: Lindsey Hyams, Shawn Baldwin, It's, " Hyams, Gen, EY, —, Taylor, Sears, Polly, Hollister, Matthew Hoffman, Kevin McCrain, Z, Annie E, Roberta Katz, Tom McGee, McGee, Abercrombie, Fitch's Hollister, Lauren Spencer Smith, Alexander Stewart, Scott Lipesky, Lipesky, Princess Polly, Courtney Dres, Dres, ICSC, TJ Maxx, Hyams Organizations: CNBC, UPS, International Council of Shopping Centers, JCPenney, Longtime, Abercrombie, Fitch, Simon Property Group, Netflix, Brookfield Properties, Casey Foundation, McKinsey, Stanford University, ICSC, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ohio State, Media, Westfield Century, Body, Walmart, TJ, Target Locations: Marlboro , NJ, Marlboro , New Jersey, Chicago, Hollister, California, Columbus , Ohio, U.S, Scottsdale , Arizona, Los Angeles, Westfield Century City, discounters, Zara