The effect of social media marketing activities on brand image and brand loyalty : A quantitative study within the sportswear industry

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to gain further understanding of how social mediamarketing activities can affect a firm's brand loyalty and brand image. The study was conductedwithin the sportswear industry. Design/Methodology/approach: This study was of explanatory nature and had a quantitativeapproach where it gathered its data through questionnaires that was posted in communitygroups on Facebook for the brands Oner Active, Gymshark and Better Bodies. These chosenbrands are an active part of the chosen industry to investigate, the sportswear industry. Findings: The findings of this study showed that social media marketing activities have apositive effect on brand image as well as brand loyalty. The social media marketing activitiesthat had the overall highest impact were entertainment and word of mouth. Furthermore, thefindings of this study concluded that increased brand image has a positive effect on brandloyalty. Implications: The findings of this study contributes to the growing knowledge of social mediamarketing activities and how they effect brand image and brand loyalty of sportswear brands.The findings of this study contributes to practitioners as well, it showcases the importance of social media marketing activities but also provides insight of what activities might be of mostimportance to develop in regards to brand image and brand loyalty (based on the circumstancesand limitations to this study).