PR Newswire·Oct 14, 2026, 9:00 AM ET

75% of Americans think a simpler relationship with technology is a lifestyle upgrade

Quad/Graphics & The Harris Poll released "Return of Touch: The Human Advantage" to examine how digital fatigue drives Americans toward tactile brand experiences.
81% of Gen Z wish disconnecting from devices were easier, with 49% feeling drained by social scrolling & 41% by texting/emailing.
75% of Americans view a simpler technology relationship as a lifestyle upgrade, while 70% of Gen Z plan to adopt hands-on hobbies to reduce screen time.
79% of Gen Z & 84% of Americans find physical collecting more satisfying & connected to the real world than digital items.
68% of Americans currently collect physical items, driven by nostalgia (46%), tactile interaction (42%), & self-expression (40%).
Roughly 60% of Gen Z seek human craft in packaging, ads, & catalogs, with 64% willing to pay a premium for human-designed products.
80% of consumers prefer brands that feel human & imperfect over those focused on AI-generated perfection.
Print materials influence purchasing decisions, with 68% saying print drives website visits & 72% saying it encourages physical store visits.
84% of Gen Z have made special trips for in-person shopping, while 76% say store design alone convinces them to visit.
78% of Gen Z & Millennials prefer retailers offering third spaces like cafés, workshops, or live entertainment to encourage lingering.
The study surveyed 2,004 U.S. adults from July 23 to August 12, 2026, to highlight the shift toward tangible, human-centric marketing strategies.