How to Get a Bachelor's in Retail Management

While you may be familiar with minimum wage jobs in the retail industry, management positions are financially rewarding. A degree in retail management involves courses in marketing, sales, human resources, accounting, management and merchandising. After you complete your studies, you'll be able to work in department stores, grocery stores or stores that sell clothing, products for the home, books and other specialty items.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Check out retail management curriculum at different colleges. Take a look at what electives are offered as part of the program. This will give you ideas about what you can focus on in your degree studies.
2. Decide what industries you're interested in. You could specialize in grocery stores or clothing retailers. You could also choose to concentrate on e-commerce, but be sure to take some web design courses so you'll be attractive to potential employers.
3. Get an internship job at a local retail establishment in your industry of choice. Educate yourself on the products and the competition. Concentrate on customer satisfaction and getting along with staff and management. Offer helpful solutions to problems your employer is facing.
4. Supplement your retail management studies with courses related to your particular industry specialty. Learn something about fashion design if you want to work in department and clothing stores. Find courses on the publishing industry if you're going to work in book store management.

Tips & Warnings

• Join your state's retail association, attend their educational events and read their publications.
• Be flexible with your internships. Expect to work on the sales floor and be prepared to work on weekends and holidays.