Hi, I’m Gen Z. I think most TikTok videos are cringe, but guess what? I still drink green slime (matcha), I own three emotional support water bottles, and I act like it cured my anxiety. Spoiler: it didn’t. I just paid ₹3,000 for a crying goblin toy named Labubu because that’s what healing looks like now.
Am I okay? No. But at least my water bottle is cute, giant, and matches my hoodie.
Somehow, we turned aesthetic nonsense into a billion-dollar industry. We made bottles, toys, and mood lighting more powerful than logic. All because we’re bored, broke, and looking for personality in pastel plastic.
Brands are winning, but our wallets are not. But hey… at least my room looks like a Pinterest board and I’m hydrated through the breakdown.
What is it?
A powdered Japanese green tea that tastes mildly of grass and regret unless paired with an overpriced oat milk latte.
Why Gen Z loves it:
Matcha is not just a drink; it’s an aesthetic. We love filming slow-motion matcha whisking rituals set to soft indie music. It's green, it’s healthy (allegedly), and it matches our Stanley Cup — more on that later.
Marketing Strategy:
Brands went all-in on the Zen vibe. They highlight its health benefits, aesthetic vibes, and cultural roots using eye-catching content, user posts, and strong storytelling to build hype and brand love online.
Influencers got fancy bamboo whisks, earthy ceramic bowls, and made glow-up reels claiming matcha gives you clear skin. Even Starbucks jumped in with matcha foam cold brews because nothing says inner peace like overpriced, processed green drinks.
Market Worth:
The global matcha market reached a value of nearly $2,862.61 million in 2023. The market is expected to grow from $2,862.61 million in 2023 to $4,693.05 million in 2028 at a rate of 10.39%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.56% from 2028 and reach $8,111.35 million in 2033.
What is it?
Labubu is a weirdly cute goblin-like toy from the Chinese brand Pop Mart. Think Funko Pop, but cooler, with big sad eyes and major “I need therapy” energy.
Why Gen Z loves it:
Because it’s weird, rare, and oddly comforting. Labubu feels like the emotional support goblin we didn’t know we needed. Owning one is a flex; people even ask, “Wait, how did you even get that?!”
Marketing Strategy:
Mystery box fun
You don’t know which toy you’ll get until you open it. This surprise makes us keep buying more just to find the rare one.
Limited drops
Pop Mart releases Labubu toys in small batches. Because they sell out fast, we rush to buy them, and it feels like a big event every time.
Insta & unboxing hype
Fans and influencers post videos opening their Labubu boxes. These fun reactions make others want one too, and it spreads like wildfire online.
Feels like a flex
Getting a rare Labubu is seen as cool. It makes us feel special and part of a trendy, exclusive club.
Market Worth:
Wang Ning, the 38-year-old founder, chairman, and CEO of Pop Mart, has seen his net worth boom from $7.59 billion at the end of 2024 to $22.1 billion by June 2025, according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List.
What is it?
A giant, pastel-colored water bottle with a handle, a straw, and a cult following. It’s a hydration tank that screams, “I’m trying to fix my life by drinking water.”
Why Gen Z loves it:
It looks good, fits in car cup holders, and feels like an accessory. Regular bottles are boring; Stanley is the vibe. People even name theirs, collect different colors, and match them with outfits. It's not just a bottle, it's a personality.
Marketing Strategy:
Stanley went from “dad camping brand” to “Gen Z hydration queen” by working with influencers, dropping limited colors, and going viral on Instagram. Every drop feels like a sneaker release gone in minutes, then resold for double the price.
Market Worth:
Stanley's marketing strategy has been highly successful, driving a revenue boom from $74 million in 2019 to $750 million in 2023, all from selling water bottles. Yep, we said, “Take my money if it comes in pastel.”
What is it?
A mix between tennis, ping-pong, and “weird gym class energy.” Traditionally played by grandparents in Florida. Now? It’s cool.
Why Gen Z loves it:
It’s kind of silly, kind of fun, and super ironic. Playing a sport for old people while wearing trendy outfits and blasting Ice Spice? Iconic. Also, the courts are aesthetic AF for Instagram pics.
Marketing Strategy:
Brands called it “the new social tennis.” Adidas made special shoes for it. Influencers hosted “Pickleball & Prosecco” parties. It became less of a sport and more of a mood. Bonus: it counts as exercise without making you super sweaty.
Market Worth:
The pickleball market is experiencing significant growth, with the global market projected to reach $9.6 billion by 2034 from gear, court bookings, and fashion collabs. Yep, there’s even a Pickleball Fashion Week now. No, seriously.
How could I forget the one thing even I can't live without?
An AI chatbot that helps with everything — flirting, fake boyfriend texts, sad poetry, and resume writing. Basically, Google+ therapy + delulu bestie in one.
No Judgment Zone:
You can ask anything. Like literally: “Write a reply if he says 'wyd' but I want to sound mysterious and unbothered.”
Free Therapist Vibes:
Can’t afford therapy? No problem. GPT will say “you’re valid” and explain attachment theory in soft words.
Fake Boyfriend Material:
ChatGPT says “Good morning, beautiful,” and never ghosts you.
Rizz Machine 3000:
Need to flirt? Need to sound deep in 3 seconds? Need a pickup line that doesn’t make you cry later?
Insta Trends
Like converting real photos into stickers, adding fake boyfriends through ChatGPT because obviously we can’t get one in real life.
ChatGPT blew up on Insta with trends like “pretend boyfriend,” “breakup letter generator,” and “AI wrote my apology text.” Apps started integrating it for dating, journaling, stickers, and therapy. Emotional support, but make it AI.
ChatGPT generated $2.7 billion for OpenAI in 2024, a 285% increase on the previous year. It has 400 million active users, who access the app once a week.
SO WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES?
Let’s be real, We will make literally anything viral if it checks these boxes:
Aesthetic
GenZ Therapy
We can post it with a caption like “just a girl”,etc
It matches our internal chaos
BRANDS, IF YOU’RE READING THIS:
Wanna go viral with us? Here’s your cheat sheet:
Make it weirdly cute or sad-looking
Add a limited drop
Name the colors like they’re poetry
Let Insta do its thing