IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN PRACTICES IN GLOBAL APPAREL RETAIL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CURRENT TRENDS

Abstract

This study systematically examined the implementation of sustainable supply chain practices in global apparel retail through a comprehensive analysis of seventy-four peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2022. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, the research synthesized current trends, challenges, and innovations across environmental, social, economic, and technological dimensions of sustainability. The findings demonstrate that sustainability has evolved from a compliance-based obligation to a strategic imperative embedded within corporate decision-making, shaping profitability, competitiveness, and brand reputation. Environmental sustainability has advanced through the adoption of circular economy models, life-cycle assessments, and resource-efficient production systems that reduce emissions, water consumption, and textile waste. Social sustainability has improved through multi-stakeholder initiatives promoting labor rights, gender equity, and workplace safety, though persistent disparities remain in subcontracting tiers. The integration of digital technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things has strengthened transparency, traceability, and data-driven accountability within apparel supply networks. Quantitative analytical frameworks—incorporating life-cycle costing, carbon accounting, and multi-criteria decision-making—have enhanced the empirical validation of sustainability performance. Furthermore, evolving consumer expectations and stakeholder engagement have reinforced sustainability as a collaborative responsibility, driving greater transparency and ethical governance. The study concludes that the convergence of technological innovation, environmental responsibility, and ethical labor governance defines a new paradigm in global apparel retail, where sustainability functions as both a moral obligation and a strategic instrument for long-term resilience.