Retail Certificate Program
A Knowledge-Based Approach to Entry-Level Positions
The Mitchell College of Business Retail Certificate Program will enhance the retail management skill sets and readiness of college students for entry-level positions, through: Retail concept analysis and review, case studies, internships and coaching/mentoring.
▼ MODULE 1 - SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 - Evolving World of Global Retailing:
- Changing nature of retailing.
- Current trends in retail management.
- Retail success requirements.
- Types of retailers/multi-channel retailers.
- Understanding retail competition.
▼ MODULE 2 - OCTOBER 19, 2023 - Understanding Customers:
- Customer buying behavior and decision-making processes.
- Influences on buying behavior - individual, group, societal.
- Shaping the customer experience.
- Customer engagement.
- Customer retention and lifetime value of customers, customers as an investment.
- Segmenting markets and customers.
- Branding for success.
- Communicating with customers - retail communications mix (advertising, sales promotion, personal selling, social media platforms, etc.).
- Atmospherics and retail success.
▼ MODULE 3 - NOVEMBER 16, 2023 - Managing People for Retail Success:
- Gaining and maintaining competitive advantages through people management.
- Strategic human resource management in retailing.
- Matching retail structure and human resources.
- Human resources management: recruitment, selection, training, motivation, compensation, and performance evaluation.
- Attracting and retaining talent.
- Managing people problems in the retail environment.
- Managing diversity.
- Understanding legal and regulatory issues in managing people.
▼ MODULE 4 - FEBRUARY 15, 2024 - Retail Financial Management (Managing the Numbers):
- Financial and managerial accounting for retail success.
- Managing profit margins.
- Asset management.
- Measuring retail performance through benchmarks.
- Profit impact of retail pricing.
▼ MODULE 5 - MARCH 14, 2024 - Retail Technology/Information Systems and Supply Chain
Management:
- Gaining and maintaining competitive advantage. through technology.
- Electronic data interchange (EDI).
- Types of information systems.
- Customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
- Vendor-managed inventory (VMI).
- Collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment.
- Radio frequency identification (RFID).
- Competitive retail supply chains.
▼ MODULE 6 - APRIL 11, 2024 - Managing Merchandise:
- Mechanics of strategic merchandise management.
- Managing inventory turnover.
- Managing the assortment of merchandise.
- Sales forecasting for retail success.
- Buying merchandise and negotiating with vendors.
- Merchandise planning systems.
- Managing inventory shrinkage.
- Controlling retailing costs.
- Sustainability issues in retailing.
Classes are free and offered via Zoom.
To save your spot, email Ms. Amy Fleet (afleet@southalabama.edu) by September 15th with your name, e-mail address, J-number, major, classification (ex: junior, senior, etc.)