Retail Management Major
White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
View SchoolEarning a degree in Purdue’s retail management program will prepare you for a variety of careers in merchandising, management and marketing across traditional retail settings and e-commerce environments. As an applied business degree with a focus on experiential learning, the retail management program prepares you with a well-rounded understanding of consumer buying behavior, merchandising, buying, planning and control, multi-channel retailing, retail analytics, and current trends in digital transformation. Using state-of-the-art technology and industry software, coursework explores topics in supply chain management, financial management, retail and cross-cultural marketing, digital e-retailing, visual merchandising, business communication, consumer insights and analytics, and customer relationship management. You will have opportunities to engage in business simulations and data science projects to develop skills in market research. You’ll also learn to develop your own personal brand to promote yourself to recruiters in the retail industry.
Career Opportunities
Students who majored in retail management have gone on to successful careers at Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, Kraft/Heinz Co., Nordstrom, Target and more. The following are notable career paths for retail management majors:
- Buyer
- Corporate recruiter
- E-commerce manager
- Entrepreneur
- Human resources manager
- Marketing director
- Merchandiser
- Product development
- Sales manager
- Sales promotion specialist
- Store manager
- Stylist
- Supply chain manager
- Visual merchandiser
Career Resources
- The Ray Kavanaugh HTM Career Center provides career planning services and coordinates more than 700 interviews each year.
- HTM Career Day brings representatives from the industry to campus each fall for a career fair, keynote address and reception for employers and students.
- The Center for Career Opportunities offers additional career fairs and assistance.
Learning Experiences
- Gain real-world experience through a supervised retail internship or field experiences.
- Join the Purdue student chapter of the National Retail Federation, and apply for exclusive scholarships, participate in case study competitions to earn cash prizes, engage in professional development activities, and gain mentorship and internship opportunities. Retail management faculty lead the chapter to New York City each January to attend the NRF Big Show — the largest trade show in the retail industry.
- Complete an optional summer or semester study abroad program to enhance your cultural global competencies
- Elect to spend your junior year at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City and earn your associate degree in fashion business management while simultaneously earning your bachelor’s degree from Purdue. Students in the retail management program are qualified to apply if they’ve earned a 3.00 cumulative GPA at the time of application.
- Participate in research activities exploring sustainability, multi-channel retailing, supply chain management, platform economy and more.
Program Quick Facts
Degree Type:
Bachelor’s
Location:
West Lafayette
Department/School:
White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management