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Retail Merchandising and Management
Description
The business of retailing primarily involves the creation of exciting presentations of products and ideas for our customers. UW-Stout's Retail Merchandising and Management program prepares you for management-level employment in retail organizations in a variety of areas. Such positions may involve the management of stores, departments or areas within stores, or groups of stores. Others may require buying products in national or international markets for inclusion in the assortment of merchandise that will be presented to customers. Still others may hold opportunities for those skilled in visual presentation, advertising, special events and distributions. In addition, the program of study allows students to pursue concentrations in buying and product management, fashion marketing, human resource management, and store operations management. Students can also complete a minor in business administration, art, journalism or others.
Students can concentrate their studies in these areas:
- Buying and Product Management » Learn how to manage buying and selling within the retail sector.
- Fashion Marketing » Learn how to manufacture, buy, promote, and sell fashion items.
- Human Resource Management » Learn how to organize an organization’s most valued assets, its employees.
- Store Operations Management » Learn to manage the day-to-day operations or management of a retail store including managing profit and loss, facility management, safety and security, loss prevention and banking.
High School Preparation
- General admissions criteria
- English, speech, math, social studies, economics and accounting courses
- Work experience in a retail store
Careers
- Buyer
- Vice President, Merchandise Planning
- Merchandise manager
- Store team leader
- Operations manager
- Executive trainer
- Merchandiser
- Advertising coordinator
- Buyer
- Manager
- Operations manager
- Business analyst
- Store manager
- Financial planner
- Project Manager, Store Innovations
98% employed in 2011-2012
View our Annual Employment Report for more details.
Explore Your Courses:
Fall
Freshman English - Composition or Freshman English - Honors I
Introduction to Retail Merchandising and Management
Health and Physical Education
Arts and Humanities elective
Natural Science with a lab
Social and Behavioral Sciences elective
Spring
Freshman English – Reading or Freshman English – Honors II
Basic Merchandising
Finite Math
Textiles
Fundamentals of Speech
Freshman English - Composition or Freshman English - Honors I
Introduction to Retail Merchandising and Management
Health and Physical Education
Arts and Humanities elective
Natural Science with a lab
Social and Behavioral Sciences elective
Spring
Freshman English – Reading or Freshman English – Honors II
Basic Merchandising
Finite Math
Textiles
Fundamentals of Speech
See our Undergraduate Bulletin for more information on these courses.
» Courses You May Take in the Major
Introduction to Retail Merchandising and Management
Exploration of origin, structure and trends in retail business. Includes industry expectations, career opportunities, curriculum and other requirements, and industry periodicals.
Basic Merchandising
Analyzing the retailing process, the environment within which it operates, and the institutions and functions that are performed. A foundation for students who plan to work in retailing or related disciplines.
Trend Tracking and Forecasting
Tracking and forecasting of product and consumer trends based on product lifecycle trends, fashion theories, socioeconomic and cultural factors, lifestyles, psychographic and demographic trends in the marketplace.
Visual Merchandising
Specialized study and application of merchandise/ product presentation techniques for individual displays and store designs. Interpreting basic design elements and principles for display; selecting and using of appropriate tools, fixtures, and materials; coordinating visual presentations and other promotional activities to achieve marketing objectives.
Marketing to Aging and Minority Consumers
Identify product and service needs of Native, African, Asian and Hispanic Americans, and aging consumers. Interpret demographic, psychological and cultural data of these special populations and develop merchandising strategies.
Merchandise Planning and Control
Techniques for financial and unit planning, procurement and control of inventories for successful retail operations.
Merchandising and Marketing an Apparel Line
Merchandising and marketing of product lines from manufacturer to retailer to consumer.
Store Management
Develop management skills for retail stores of varying size.
Retail Promotions
Planning and execution of all the promotional messages used to communicate with members of a target market.
Exploration of origin, structure and trends in retail business. Includes industry expectations, career opportunities, curriculum and other requirements, and industry periodicals.
Basic Merchandising
Analyzing the retailing process, the environment within which it operates, and the institutions and functions that are performed. A foundation for students who plan to work in retailing or related disciplines.
Trend Tracking and Forecasting
Tracking and forecasting of product and consumer trends based on product lifecycle trends, fashion theories, socioeconomic and cultural factors, lifestyles, psychographic and demographic trends in the marketplace.
Visual Merchandising
Specialized study and application of merchandise/ product presentation techniques for individual displays and store designs. Interpreting basic design elements and principles for display; selecting and using of appropriate tools, fixtures, and materials; coordinating visual presentations and other promotional activities to achieve marketing objectives.
Marketing to Aging and Minority Consumers
Identify product and service needs of Native, African, Asian and Hispanic Americans, and aging consumers. Interpret demographic, psychological and cultural data of these special populations and develop merchandising strategies.
Merchandise Planning and Control
Techniques for financial and unit planning, procurement and control of inventories for successful retail operations.
Merchandising and Marketing an Apparel Line
Merchandising and marketing of product lines from manufacturer to retailer to consumer.
Store Management
Develop management skills for retail stores of varying size.
Retail Promotions
Planning and execution of all the promotional messages used to communicate with members of a target market.
See our Undergraduate Bulletin for more information on these courses.
Program Video
Contact Information
Kathleen Cochran, Program Director
281G Technology Wing – Jarvis Hall
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751-0790
Phone: 715/232-1365
E-Mail: cochrank@uwstout.edu
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