Retail Management

Upon successful completion of the Merchandising certificate, the student demonstrates skills, knowledge and training for retail sales persons positions. The student demonstrates skills to motivate the customer to make a purchase, assess what a customer wants or needs, match the wants and needs to the available merchandise, complete sales-related documents, handle returns and exchanges, stock shelves and take inventory, and prepare displays.

Upon successful completion of the Retail Management certificate, the student demonstrates skills, knowledge, and training to get started or advance in a career in the retail industry. Students who complete this academic program gain the knowledge, skills, abilities and confidence that empower them to become successful leaders in retail and service oriented companies and prepare retail employees for positions such as, first-line supervisors and managers. The student demonstrates his or her knowledge in the fundamentals of how to plan and direct the work of the organization, set policy, establish channels of communication, and evaluate the work that is done (in stores that specialize in selling a specific line of merchandise). The student demonstrates his or her ability to foster positive relationships, increase job satisfaction and ensure that customer or client needs are met; define company goals; apply relevant federal and state laws; recognize and evaluate industry trends; plan advertising campaigns and sales promotions; hire and train personnel; control inventories; draft budgets; and recommend, establish, or implement store procedures and policies.

The Major in Retail Management and Merchandising is designed to develop a strong base of knowledge and skills that will serve as a foundation for further study and/or pursuit of a career.