Social Identity Matters

Abstract

Fashion brands' online presence provide a platform for customers to supplement social identity based on associations with brands, and ultimately this can shape brand perceptions among customers through promised functional and symbolic benefits. Social media has matured into the prime channel for regular interactions and the development of brand-customer relationships that enrich social identity. Drawing on social identity theory, the current chapter examines how the evolving social media platforms impact on brand perceptions in the fashion apparel and accessories industries. The chapter focuses on theoretical implications and managerial implications. The concluding section offers some significant roles that social media and social identity may play in keeping up with the design and development of marketing communications programmes.