Course Descriptions

Retail is a dynamic and fast paced industry. Retail strategy will examine what retail stores are and the different channels that exist. Students will gain an understanding of what retail strategy is and how they can apply it to a career in retail operations management. This course will offer insights into how retailers create customer value and an understanding of CRM. Using a simulation, students will create a strategic business plan for a retailer.

Retail is a dynamic and fast-paced environment where promotion, marketing and merchandise decisions affect the profitability of an organization. In this course, students will examine both in-store and digital retail merchandising and the focus will be on the various types of operations that will affect a retailer’s competitiveness and profitability.

This course teaches students to develop strategies and skills to be successful retail buyers and merchants. Students will apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to devise buying plans for fashion and hard line categories. What to buy, when to buy, from whom to buy, and how much to buy for specific retail formats including digital and traditional bricks and mortar. Up to the minute retail developments will be discussed and applied to course learning outcomes.

In this course, students will analyze innovative retail business practices with special attention to the challenges and impacts of innovation as it applies to retail organizations’ present strengths and weaknesses, innovation in the context of today’s changing economic climate, and the role played by innovation in adapting to retail disruption and changing consumer purchasing behaviours. Through an applied project with an industry partner / case study, the student will assess the current and future value of retail innovation and make informed recommendations for maximizing future growth.