Retail Merchandising Bachelor's Degree Programs

<p>Retail merchandising bachelor's degree programs combine merchandising and business courses to train you to analyze statistics used for determining consumer trends. You may also learn how promotions and layout design can affect product purchasing for various age groups. Training can provide you with knowledge of the resources used for trend forecasting, marketing and advertising products in-store, managing various types of merchandise and interacting with the global market. By the end of your program, you may have developed knowledge of customer service, human resources, consumer ethics, distribution methods and cultural appeal. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Skills Learned</b></td><td> Customer service, consumer ethics, human resources, distribution methods, cultural appeal</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Visual merchandising, target marketing, retail buying, economic principles, logistics</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Possible Careers</b></td><td> Business analyst, marketing specialist, sales representative, visual merchandiser, retail event planner</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$65,810 <i>(for market research analysts and marketing specialists)</i>*</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td>18% growth <i>(for all market research analysts and marketing specialists)</i>*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCoursesCanIExpect">What Courses Can I Expect?</h3> <p>In a retail merchandising bachelor's degree program, you can complete major courses covering marketing principles, visual merchandising, multichannel retailing, retail buying, logistics, target marketing and interior display design. These programs may also offer additional classes in retail management, visual promotion, planning and control, organizational behavior, fashion merchandising, retail strategies and economic principles. As in all bachelor's degree programs, you're also required to take general education courses. </p> <p>Your program can train you to adjust merchandising displays according to consumer trends in order to maximize sales. If you would like to participate in hands-on training through a major retail store or corporation, your program may offer internship or cooperative learning programs. Though not very common, online retail merchandising bachelor's degree programs exist. If you choose an online program, you can participate in local internships that give you the real-world experience offered in traditional programs. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithMyEducation">What Can I Do with My Education?</h3> <p>After you graduate, you may be able to find job openings at retail property firms, Internet retailers, retail stores and apparel manufacturers. Earning a bachelor's degree may qualify you for a career as a sales representative, visual merchandiser, marketing specialist, assistant buyer, business analyst or retail event planner. If you are interested in pursuing additional education, you can find master's degree and graduate certificate programs. These are also often offered online.</p>