Bachelors In

Retail Management Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.
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Why We Love It

  • $119,460
    Potential Avg. Salary*
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes111021.htm for 11-1021 General and operations managers 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

If you aspire to manage a major retail store, chain, or franchise—or if you want to open your own small retail shop—a bachelor of science in retail management may be right for you.

In a retail management degree program, you’ll study a traditional business curriculum, as well as take courses focused specifically on the retail industry. This enables effective leadership and prepares you to run a profitable business.

What is a Degree in Retail Management?

A retail management bachelor’s degree is perfect for individuals who are interested in the retail industry. Whether you’re a fashionista who wants to manage or operate a clothing, jewelry, or accessory shop, or a wine connoisseur interested in selling unique and delicious wines, you’ll develop the skills needed for success in a retail management degree program.

In this program, you’ll study general business, management, and finance topics, but you’ll focus your learning on topics related to the retail industry.

You’ll learn how to operate a successful physical retail store or online retail e-commerce business. You’ll learn about merchandising, gaining an understanding of how and where to find products to sell in your store.

You’ll also study management theories, human resources topics, and labor management techniques, enabling you to staff your own store or operate as an effective manager in a chain or franchise retail department store. You’ll also study effective retail marketing techniques to increase customers and become more profitable.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Retail Management?

  • Retail Marketing
  • Retail Management
  • Quality Control
  • Accounting
  • Global Supply Operations
  • Organization and Management Leadership
  • Fundamentals of Finance
  • Business Law and Ethics

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Retail Management?

Greater access to the internet among global populations has significantly increased the ability for anyone to manage a profitable online retail business.

Additionally, effective managers and leaders are always in demand for local, chain, and franchise shops and department stores. For these reasons, demand for talented retail managers is expected to be sustained in the coming decade.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Retail Management will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Retail Management Degrees

With a bachelor’s degree in retail management, you can find work managing retail stores and team members for locally owned shops, department stores, and mall kiosks. You may also be able to establish your own retail store—either a physical storefront or an online e-commerce shop.

You can acquire wholesale merchandise or make your own good and sell them online through sites like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon, or you can develop your own e-commerce website.

How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Retail Management degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

  • Which Colleges Match Your Needs
  • Ways You Could Save Time & Money
  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
  • Valuable Data and Insights on Each College
  • Detailed Steps You Should Take!

See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

Create My SmartPlan

Get a Certificate in Retail Management First

If you’re more interested in managing a store owned by someone else than operating your own physical storefront or e-commerce business, you may be better off earning a certificate in retail management.

Most retail businesses promote from within, so with a certificate, you may be able to find work in the field and begin accruing professional experience. If you decide to earn a bachelor’s degree later in your career, your certificate credits may transfer, reducing the time required to earn a bachelor’s degree.

You Might also be Interested in

Many visitors who look for a degree in Retail Management are also interested in the following degrees.

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