To be sustainable or to be fashionable? That is the question... : A quantitative study of the consumer's perspective on CSR in the fast fashion industry

Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to create a deeper understanding of the effects a company’s CSR activities have on consumers' purchase decisions in the fast fashion industry. Additionally, how consumers' brand image changes when a company does not meet the criteria for CSR initiatives. We want to investigate if consumers prioritize and truly care about companies' sustainability work in the fast fashion industry. This considering clear statistics that the consumption of clothing increases even if companies do not meet the requirements within the various sustainability perspectives. The fast fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. By examining the consumers’ perspective, we will potentially discover the components that make a consumer choose to shop from a fast fashion company, as well as finding what influences the consumer to refrain from supporting a company that does not fulfill its obligations within CSR.