Retail Operations Bachelor's Degree and Training at a Glance
While retail sales workers are usually required to complete a formal on-the-job training program, individuals who want to work in management positions or as wholesale representatives may consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in the field. Jobs in retail are available in the fashion, sporting goods, home improvement, automobile, books and electronics industries.
Retail sales workers and managers work in stores, while retail representatives make arrangements for purchasing the goods that are sold in stores. Individuals interested in working in retail can earn a bachelor's degree in a business-related area, and can also opt to pursue a post-baccalaureate certificate in retail. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for retail sales workers is projected to increase 17% during 2010-2020 (www.bls.gov).
| Bachelor's | Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals interested in a management position in retail | Individuals with a bachelor's degree seeking more training or who want to specialize in a specific aspect of the industry |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate annual salary) | -Retail manager ($55,000)** -Wholesale sales representative ($86,000)* | -Retail manager ($55,000)** -Wholesale sales representative ($86,000)* |
| Time to Completion | 4 years, full time | 1 semester, full time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | About 40-48 courses | Approximately 15 credit hours |
| Prerequisites | -High school diploma | -Bachelor's degree |
| Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures), **Salary.com (May 2012 figures).
Bachelor's in Retail Operations
The curriculum of a retail operations bachelor's degree program combines business principles with retail practices. These programs can be offered as a Bachelor of Science in Business with a retail management specialization or as a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion and Retail Management.
These programs prepare students for management positions in a retail company. Students in the program learn about customer behavior, merchandising, pricing, strategy development and how to increase profitability and sales. Students also learn about human resources, communication, marketing and management.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Degree leads to a career in a growing field; population growth is expected to increase employment opportunities in the retail sector*
- With this degree, you have the opportunity to work in many different industries, including the automobile, electronics and fashion industries
- The business component of a degree program provides you with knowledge of basic business operations, which can transfer to a career in a non-retail field
Cons
- A degree does not guarantee employment; online shopping may cause there to be limits in the number of employment opportunities*
- Sales representatives commonly need to negotiate prices, which can be stressful
- A career in the field can require long working hours; 25% of sales representatives work over 50 hours per week*
- Degree not necessarily required for employment, due to on-the-job training offerings
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Courses and Requirements
Students in these programs complete business and retail courses. Business-related courses include accounting, finance and marketing. Retail operations courses include brand building, handling retail operational issues, retail management, pricing strategies and retail techniques. Many programs also include a capstone project that is completed during a student's final semester of study.
Typical classes include:
- Services marketing
- Sales management
- Ethics and enterprise
- Pricing management
Online Options
Online bachelor's degree programs related to retail are available. These programs may be ideal for students already working in a retail store who want to pursue advancement opportunities. Courses in these programs are the same or similar to their in-person counterparts.
How to Stand Out
While a bachelor's degree in retail operations can provide you with a leg-up over your competition, you can also stand out in the field by completing courses in applying analytics to retailing. These courses train you to apply analytical tools and techniques to sales, pricing and other statistics so that you can develop policies or implement changes based on your analysis. This skill may be appealing to employers.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Retail
Post-baccalaureate retail certificates are offered in retailing and consumer science as well as in retail marketing. In these programs, students learn about the different practices and principles related to retail and how to communicate with different professionals in the field. Many times, a program allows students to focus on one specific area of retail, such as marketing, organizations or merchandising.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Allows for supplementing the education gained in a bachelor's degree program, which can put you above the competition when searching for a job
- Program allows you to gain additional skills in the field beyond those acquired in a bachelor's degree program
- The opportunity to specialize in an area of retail can allow you to hone your skills and search for employment in a specific industry sector
Cons
- Additional education may not improve job prospects
- May still have to complete an on-the-job training program
- Must complete a bachelor's degree before enrollment
Courses and Requirements
Courses in these programs are related to a specific topic of retail. For example, if you are enrolled in a retail marketing program, you take courses in brand management, marketing principles, buyer behavior and marketing research. However, in a retail organizing program, you study merchandising, consumer science and organizational decision-making.
Common courses in these programs include:
- Integrated marketing communications
- Marketing principles
- Retailing fundamentals
Online Course Options
Online post-baccalaureate certificate programs in retail are available. These programs often have the same course credit hour requirements and a similar curriculum as in-person programs.
How to Stand Out
To stand out in the field, consider attending a certificate program that covers online retailing topics, such as e-Tailing and technology entrepreneurship. These courses can help you prepare to handle the technological aspects of retailing, such as selling products online. This knowledge can make you more attractive to employers.
