As the 2024 back-to-school season kicks off, Snapchat is emerging as the go-to platform for students and parents seeking inspiration and connection.
A new survey from Snap reveals that more than half of students are planning to splurge on new items for the upcoming school year, driven by a desire to keep up with friends and discover exciting new brands.
According to the survey, 64% of student Snapchatters are more likely to spend generously on back-to-school shopping, fuelled by the platform's ability to foster a sense of community and shared experiences.
Friendships play a central role in the shopping process, with 76% of students enjoying discussing their purchases with their peers and 68% appreciating seeing their friends' back-to-school hauls.
Snapchat's chat features further enhance this connection, allowing students to shop together virtually and receive instant feedback.
Beyond friendship, Snapchat is also proving to be a valuable tool for brand discovery.
Students on the platform are 70% more likely to discover new brands compared to those who are not, with 52% having purchased items from a brand they first encountered on Snapchat.
The platform's focus on visual content and influencer partnerships makes it particularly effective for inspiring and influencing young consumers.
Parents are also turning to Snapchat for back-to-school shopping inspiration.
75% of parents surveyed say that brands' ad campaigns on Snapchat influence their shopping lists, highlighting the platform's growing influence on consumer behaviour.
“Our friends and family are often the most influential people in our lives. Staying connected with friends takes some of the pressure off the back-to-school season and makes life and shopping more fun - and our new data confirms this," said Matt Salmon, UK commercial director at Snap.
"Fashion trends move faster today than ever before, and being on trend is a priority for 93% of students, so brands who can tap into these needs and conversations authentically, offer inspiration and make purchasing decisions as easy and shareable as possible have a lot to gain.”
