Make a Booming Career in Retail Management

Retail is the fastest growing sector in India today. With many big players gaining a foothold in the industry, the industry is bound to grow in diverse ways. The growing number of shopping malls and department stores has created countless job opportunities in India and abroad. Industry insiders estimate a 30 to 40 percent growth rate in India in the retail sector and an estimated 80,000 skilled professionals are needed.

So now is an opportune time to take a retail management course and land a job in this promising field. Recognizing the demand for skilled professionals in this field, many institutes have launched courses and training programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to create a skilled workforce for this industry. Here you will find all the information about the Retail Management courses.

Retail today is more organized and efficient. The retail revolution has not only transformed urban lifestyles, but small town lifestyles as well. Thus, for a retail management graduate, there are numerous opportunities across the country in the book and publishing industries, in music stores, multiplexes, shopping malls, the apparel industry and also in the processed food industry. Anyone who decides to pursue further studies in the field of retail management should ideally have passed the Higher Secondary or 10+ 2 exam.

The retail management curriculum is very comprehensive and includes detailed information on supply chain, marketing information, financial management, retail accounting, retail brands, business communications, retail shopper psychology, retail e-commerce, marketing and business communications, sales promotion with public relations, inventory taking, customer relationship, business ethics, Management and organizational behavior, quantitative methods in retail.

The retail industry has the greatest need for an efficient retail manager. This is followed by positions such as warehouse manager, purchasing manager, sales manager and customer service personnel. Associated options are in Human Resources, Finance and Systems Management.

There are many institutes that offer commercial management courses. One of these institutes is the Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Maharashtra, which offers a two-year specialist course in retail. The other course offered by the institute is a postgraduate course. The institute promises campus internships at various retail outlets such as Pantaloon, Shopper’s Stop, Globus and Westside.

Based in New Delhi, Birla Institute of Management Technology offers a two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Retail and Inventory Management (PGDRMM). The course provides retail and merchandising management training with a mix of industry interaction. One has to pass the CAT, MAT entrance exam and then go through a round of interviews to get admission. The Institute also offers accommodation options. There is an active campus placement program.

The curriculum includes retail concepts and environment, marketing management, merchandising management, corporate communications, retail management, and research methodology

In the south, Madurai Kamaraj University has developed new retail management courses to be offered through its distance learning Directorate. The new programs include Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Management, Master of Business Administration in Retail Management and Bachelor of Business Administration in the same specialization.

In Mumbai, the KJ Somaiya Institute of Management and Research offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Management-Retail. It is a two year full time course and covers a wide range of subjects related to general management, retail management, operations and soft skills as well as practical experience in the offices/branches of Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited.

Some of the other institutes that offer retail management courses in India are Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi, Indian Retail School, New Delhi, SASMIRA, Mumbai, Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, Mumbai, the Pearl Academy of Fashion, New Delhi, Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad, Retailers Association of India, Mumbai, Kohinoor Business School, Khandala and Apeejay Institute of Business Studies, Gurgaon. Then there is the Metropolitan Institute of Management in Pune, The Retail Academy in Ahmedabad, The RPG Institute of Retail Management in Chennai, Ebony Retail Academy in Delhi and Vidya Institute for Women in Delhi.

Once a candidate has earned a relevant qualification in retail management, he/she can look forward to a thriving career. The Indian retail industry is about to see positive changes in recent times. The future of retail business in India seems very bright and can offer rewarding employment opportunities. In fact, the sector could soon surpass other lucrative new generation careers such as IT, BPO and hospitality in terms of job opportunities. A person with a knack for proper planning, accurate identification of needs, ability to interact with people along with problem solving and quick decision making skills can easily have a successful career in this field. Pleasant manners, resourcefulness and a good memory are further plus points in this area. There are enough positions to be filled from the entry level to the management level.

Thanks to Geetika Jain | #Booming #Career #Retail #Management