Ethically Minded Consumer Behavior, Retailers’ Commitment to Sustainable Development, and Store Equity in Hypermarkets

• Published in: Sustainability 2020-10, Vol.12 (19), p.8041
• Main Authors: Sánchez-González, Irene, Gil-Saura, Irene, Ruiz-Molina, María Eugenia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brand equity; Communication; Consumer behavior; Consumers; Consumption; Corporate image; Customers; Ethics; Fair trade; Hypotheses; Least squares method; Loyalty; Market positioning; Retail stores; Retailing; Retailing industry; Superstores; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Values
• ISSN: 2071-1050; 2071-1050
• DOI: 10.3390/su12198041

The present paper analyzed the influence of ethically minded consumer behavior on retailer’s commitment to sustainable development as perceived by the consumer, and their contribution to the chain of relationships “store equity–loyalty–word of mouth communication”, in the context of retailing. Responses from 317 hypermarket customers in Ecuador were analyzed. The model was estimated using the partial least squares technique. The results show the sustainable development actions implemented by retailers, together with perceived value, contribute significantly to store equity creation, which explains customer loyalty and, ultimately, positive word-of-mouth communication. However, the most concerned consumers of ethical aspects value the retailer’s efforts towards sustainability to a lesser extent. The findings of this research allow developing a series of implications for the managers of these establishments.