Retail Management
You enjoy working in a fast-paced, ever-changing, and challenging environment. You like to apply your communication and analytical skills to solve problems, motivate people, and manage business assets. Whether you choose to work in a traditional retail setting or an e-commerce environment, check out the retail management program in the Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing.
Plan of Study
Fashion Institute of Technology
You may also attend a one-year program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, and your credits will transfer to Purdue. When you complete your bachelor's degree from Purdue, you will also receive an associate's degree from FIT.
Career Options
Most graduates begin as management trainees before moving to higher-level positions such as:
- consumer service manager
- human resources director
- marketing director
- merchandiser
- sales manager
- sales promotion specialist
- store manager
- Visit CFS Graduates at Work to see how alumni are using their degrees in the real world
- Career opportunities for Retail Management students
Where You Might Work
- e-commerce enterprises
- major consumer product firms
- mall management firms
- retail companies
Coursework
- accounting
- business communication
- computer technology
- consumer behavior
- customer relations management
- leadership
- marketing
- merchandising
- personal selling and negotiations
- product development
- retail strategy
- sales promotion
- statistics
- complete course list
Learn from Experience
- Perform an internship with a major retailer in a location like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and Indianapolis.
- Complete an in-store selling experience during the summer between your freshman and sophomore year.
- Get international experience through a study-abroad program, a short-term study tour, and/or an international internship.
You'll Have Help Finding a Job
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The Consumer Sciences and Retailing Career Fair gives students the chance to meet and interview with potential employers.
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Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities provides a variety of job search services including a list of internships, employer profiles, salary surveys, and interview and job search clinics.
For more information, contact:
CFS Undergraduate Student Services
700 W. State Street
Stone Hall, Room 110
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059
Phone: (765) 494-8533
E-mail: cfsundergrad@purdue.edu