325-327 Retail Management

325-211 Principles of Marketing.

The subject examines one of the most important sectors, in terms both of sales and employment, in contemporary industrial nations. It provides an overview of retailing from a marketing and managerial perspective. It examines the development of retailing and the characteristics of the retail industry in a variety of countries. It also examines the internationalisation of retailing and considers emerging trends. Specific topics include: merchandising planning, control and distribution; pricing of retail merchandise; selling and sales promotion; store location, layout and presentation; the analysis and evaluation of retail strategies; buying for different retail markets; consumers and the shopping experience; lifestyle merchandising; the influence of developing technologies on the merchandise planning process (including databases and electronic data input); customer relationship management in retail organisations; the supply chain and the buying process.

• High level of development: oral communication; written communication; collaborative learning; problem solving; team work; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

• Moderate level of development: use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.

• Some level of development: statistical reasoning; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information.

A 2-hour examination (60%) and assignment(s) totalling not more than 4000 words (40%).

• Berman and Evans, Retail Management: A Strategic Approach. (8th edn), Prentice Hall, 2000.