The sustainable clothing market: an evaluation of potential strategies for UK retailers

Goworek, H, Fisher, T ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2565-8805, Cooper, T ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8623-2918, Woodward, S and Hiller, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8793-0013, 2012. The sustainable clothing market: an evaluation of potential strategies for UK retailers. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 40 (12), pp. 935-955. ISSN 0959-0552

Preview

Text NPS_1080a_Cooper.pdf - Published version Download (165kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate consumers' perspectives on sustainable clothing consumption and to examine ways in which this information could influence retailers' policies.

Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative research was conducted using focus groups, home tasks and workshops with 99 participants. The sample represented different groups of consumers in relation to their sustainability behaviour.

Findings: Focus group participants had a limited awareness of the sustainability impacts of clothing. Where participants displayed pro-environmental behaviour, this was not necessarily intentional, but was largely a response to other influences. The respondents' maintenance and disposal of clothes were found to be influenced mainly by existing habits and routines, which usually take precedence over awareness of sustainable practice. The research indicated that consumers could be persuaded to change their behaviour in relation to sustainability by being encouraged and enabled to reflect more on their behaviour.

Research limitations/implications This study uses qualitative research and is limited to UK consumers. Future research in this field could incorporate quantitative methods or in-depth interviews. Academics could conduct further research and generate theories which apply to the sustainable consumption of clothing.

Social implications The findings have implications for retailers, academics and society. Retailers can develop and implement more sustainable policies and practices in relation to clothing production and consumption. There are wider implications for society and the environment in that retailers' practices can impact greatly on the sustainability of the planet’s resources.

Originality/value This paper's originality lies in its assessment of the implications for retailers of consumers' views on the sustainable consumption of clothing.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management
Creators:	Goworek, H., Fisher, T., Cooper, T., Woodward, S. and Hiller, A.
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Place of Publication:	Bingley
Date:	2012
Volume:	40
Number:	12
ISSN:	0959-0552
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1108/09590551211274937 DOI
Rights:	© Emerald Group Publishing Limited 2012.
Divisions:	Schools > Nottingham Business School Schools > School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment Schools > School of Art and Design
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 10:02
Last Modified:	30 Oct 2018 10:58
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/6726

Actions (login required)

Edit View

Statistics

Views

Downloads