The secret to a fashion advantage is brand orientation

Kerrie Bridson, Deakin University
Jody Evans, Melbourne Business School

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop a comprehensive measure of brand orientation and empirically examine whether a fashion retailer’s brand orientation assists in explaining variations in its retail offer advantage over competitors. This study provides a conceptualisation and operationalisation of brand orientation within the context of fashion retailing. Four dimensions of brand orientation are introduced including distinctiveness, functionality, value adding and symbolic. The results suggest that the more brand oriented the fashion retailer, the greater its retail offer advantage over competitors. It concludes with new insights and suggestions for fashion retailers in driving greater differentiation and competitive advantage.