Sustainability in the fashion and retail industry: strategic approaches and trends

Abstract

The emerging global challenges arising from the constrained availability of natural resources, alongside structural shifts in production and consumption patterns, have placed increasing pressure on governments and organizations to develop policies and strategies that advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and their societal impact. Within this context, the objective of the present study is to establish theoretical foundations that support the formulation and implementation of a corporate sustainability strategy in the context of a large Colombian enterprise. To achieve this, two methodological approaches were employed: a systematic literature review and a preliminary diagnostic based on a case study. The theoretical review was structured around three key conceptual constructs essential for the development and implementation of sustainable strategies: sustainability strategy frameworks, change management, and corporate sustainability. The case study, in turn, is based on information provided by a large manufacturing company located in Colombia, collected through interviews with relevant stakeholders. The findings reveal that, despite their scale and trajectory, some large companies implement various sustainability initiatives; however, these actions often lack a clear strategic orientation to guide the organization’s direction in relation to sustainability and the SDG.