Retail management courses cover a wide range of topics, from entrepreneurship to visual merchandising to technology and information systems. Those who pursue retail management education typically aspire to work as a store manager or as a behind-the-scenes buyer or analyst at a corporate level. Associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs all offer retail management courses. There are also diploma and certificate programs, as well as online and distance learning options.
Courses in retail management can be included as part of a business administration degree. The best courses to take are determined by an individual’s future career goals. Taking general courses in retail distribution, management, and marketing in addition to core business classes may be the best route to a store management position. Store managers and leaders must be familiar with basic business and finance concepts and can learn industry-specific knowledge on the job.
Those who want to be a part of the merchandise planning process should consider taking retail management courses in purchasing. These classes will teach you how to choose the right product mix, where to find suppliers, how to build relationships, and how to maintain proper inventory levels. These courses may include schematic and plan-o-gram design, which teaches students how to arrange products in sets that appeal to the retailer’s demographic and encourage impulse purchases.
The various types of retail management courses vary depending on the school. Fashion and retail management programs are available at some creative or artistic schools. This degree program may be appropriate for those who want to work in the high-end or specialty fashion retail sector. Color theory, visual merchandising, and textiles are among the topics covered in a number of the courses.
The majority of retail management courses are administrative or managerial in nature. They assume the student wants to be in a leadership position in the future. Traditional business concepts like sales, marketing, product development, and accounting are taught in more creative retail management degree programs.
There are several degree levels to choose from. The best path to take is determined by the individual’s goals. For corporate positions such as merchandise planner, buyer, or retail analyst, a bachelor’s degree may be required. An associate’s degree or several years of experience may be all that is required for store level leadership positions.
Master’s degrees in business administration, as well as merchandise management courses, may be preferred by more competitive and specialized retailers. Individuals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree who want to gain specialized education in retail management can enroll in certification and continuing education programs. Many of these degree and certification programs are available online, whether through a traditional university, an online school, or a trade school for retail management.