This study analyses how consumers perceive the corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions carried out by retailing firms. Specifically, our study empirically demonstrates that investment in CSR policies increases consumer value, satisfaction and loyalty to the company. To achieve this, we propose and test a model of causal relationships. The model was tested with a sample of 408 Spanish supermarket and hypermarket consumers. Methodologically, a variance-based method to estimate the structural model-PLS path modellinghas been chosen. The results show that CSR policies increase consumers' perceived value towards the company as well as trust, commitment, satisfaction and loyalty. The originality and value of this paper is the study of consumer-oriented CSR as a variable that allows competitive differentiation of the company, by improving the relationship with the consumers and the generation of perceived value. Although CSR and consumer value have become attractive research topics in the business literature, their interrelationships are not well understood. In this study, we analyse a real sample of consumers, which allows us a more accurate approximation of the real consumer perception of CSR.

Sustainable economic models are essential for any economic sector of the country. Companies must manage their relationships with the agents involved in their economic activity through a strategy based on dialogue and the constant pursuit of a balance among economic, social and environmental interests. In this regard, there has been an increase in customers’ interest in products or businesses that display a comparatively higher commitment with workers, the environment, or society as a whole. This study aims at gaining further insight into the relationship between the committed customer and the company by analyzing the influence of corporate social responsibility on key variables such as customer perceived value or customer commitment as regards its engagement dimension (customer motivations). In order to reach this goal, we perform a review of the literature, followed by a structural equation model that incorporates said variables. This model is tested on a sample of 707 customers of supermarkets and hypermarkets. The results confirm that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) directly affects commitment and that customer perceived value influences both variables (CSR and commitment). In addition, the study confirms the indirect effect of perceived value on customers’ commitment with the commercial format, which is mediated by CSR.