Indian consumers' Purchase Intentions and Behavior : A Qualitative study on sustainable second-hand fashion consumptions

Abstract: Recent years have witnessed growing consumer interest in sustainable fashion and circular economy trends that focus on the make, use, and recycling. In several developed countries, consumers are more willing towards second-hand consumption. In India, the consumer attitude towards second-hand shopping has been slightly negative for several reasons. Moreover, India has been subjected to little or no research on consumer behavior. The aim of the study is to examine Indian consumers’ purchasing behavior associated with second-hand fashion in India and Sweden. Therefore, to address this issue and to gain a deeper understanding of consumer behavior while purchasing second-hand fashion, the study employed a qualitative approach combined with a case study research design. The in-depth semi-structured interviews involved fourteen Indian participants living in India and Sweden. The empirical data collected through the interviews were analyzed through thematic analysis, which yielded various themes and sub-themes. Two established frameworks in consumer behavior have been employed in analyzing the themes and sub-themes. The framework developed by Guiot and Roux has been used to confirm the motivational factors towards second-hand shopping. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework has been used to understand influential factors on consumer behavior towards second-hand shopping. The Guiot and Roux model analyses three key motivators that persuade consumers to purchase second-hand, which are economic, critical, and hedonic motivators. The theory of planned behavior framework analyses three perspectives of consumers, namely attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control and its influence on consumer intentions and behavior towards second-hand fashion consumption. The analysis and discussion provide influential factors and barriers towards the purchase intentions of Indian consumers. The study’s findings showed differences in the opinions of Indian consumers living in India and Sweden regarding second-hand consumption in general. While the Indian participants (Non-Buyers) in India refrained from giving second-hand fashion a chance, the Indian participants (Buyers) in Sweden were more open towards second-hand fashion. Different factors affect consumer behavior in different ways; factors like price, purchasing options, quality, and awareness regarding second-hand consumption have a positive influence, whereas factors such as hygiene, fashionability, personal values, and beliefs against second-hand consumption have a negative influence. Based on the findings from the analysis, possibilities to reinforce second-hand fashion consumption in India have also been discussed. Since the study has been conducted in a qualitative way, this paves way for future quantitative verification.