If you're passionate about fashion and love to shop, a career in retail may be for you. College education isn't essential for most retail careers, but an Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Merchandising degree or a bachelor's degree in retail management can give you a competitive edge in the job market. Read this article to learn more about college degrees in retail.
Degrees That Prepare You for a Career in Retail
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that a high school education or GED is all you need to launch a career as a retail salesperson or retail manager. However, the BLS also points out that jobs in retail become scarce during hard economic times, and job candidates with experience and associate's or bachelor's degrees in areas like retail management and fashion merchandising have the best chance of gaining employment.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisCareer">Important Facts About This Career</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $39,230 per year (for all first-line supervisors of retail workers)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 0% (for all retail sales workers)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Clothing/shoe stores, grocery stores, building material and supply dealers, beer, wine, and liquor stores</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations</td><td> Fashion merchandiser/buyer, retail salesperson, sales manager, sales engineer</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *United States Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---LeadingTheWayWithARetailManagementDegree">Leading the Way with a Retail Management Degree</h3><p>Retail management professionals need strong leadership skills and a sales background. They are responsible for providing customer service, supervising staff and maintaining the finances of their individual establishments.
</p><p>Most retail management positions require experience, but an associate's or bachelor's degree in retail management or retail merchandising and management is an excellent option for those who want to climb the career ladder quickly. Some colleges also have business or marketing degree programs that offer courses and even concentrations in retailing or retail management.
</p><p>In a Bachelor of Science in Retail Management degree program like the one at Central Michigan University, students take courses in sales, management, marketing, merchandising and fashion buying. A bachelor's degree in retail management can prepare you for careers like these:
</p><ul><li>Mall manager
</li><li>Fashion buyer
</li><li>Sales or merchandise manager
</li></ul><h3 id="section---SeriousShoppingWithAFashionBuyingOrMerchandisingDegree">Serious Shopping with a Fashion Buying or Merchandising Degree</h3><p>Fashion merchandising professionals need to be creative and possesses skills in fashion, retail and business, reports the College Board (<i>www.collegeboard.com</i>). A fashion merchandiser (sometimes called a fashion buyer, fashion marketer or fashion promotion specialist) buys and sells consumer products like fashion apparel and textiles on a retail or wholesale level and may also oversee marketing efforts.
</p><p>The College Board also reports that experience is usually necessary to land a job, but candidates with associate's or bachelor's degrees in fashion merchandising or buying have an edge. The typical curriculum of a fashion buying degree program includes courses about:
</p><ul><li>Fashion history
</li><li>Business and marketing
</li><li>Textile design</li></ul>
