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Retail and Merchandising Management

The major in retail and merchandising management provides you with a thorough knowledge of the retailing industry, complemented by business principles and theories related to providing goods and services to consumers.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and field-based experience, students prepare for entry-level positions in diverse occupations and for advanced education. You could begin your career as a retail manager, assistant buyer, planner, allocator, product development manager, or sales representative for a manufacturer or service company. Your options are plentiful with competitive starting salaries and rapid advancement. Retailing is one of the fastest-growing segments of our economy, and opportunities for employment will continue to be excellent through the twenty-first century.

RMM 210 Introduction to Retail Management
RMM 150 Retail Software Applications
RMM 310 Retail Buying and Merchandising
RMM 311 Human Resources Management in Hospitality & Retailing
RMM 341 Consumers in the Global Marketplace
RMM 346 Retail Operations Management
RMM 376 Customer Relationship Management and Retail Analytics
RMM 391 Leadership in Retailing
RMM 410 Strategic Retail Planning
RMM 412 Digital Retailing
RMM 421 Global Retailing and Sourcing
RMM 422 Professional Experience in Retail and Consumer Sciences

RMM Elective—Choose Four from RMM major

RMM 225 Fashion and Culture
RMM 320 Product Development
RMM 411 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
RMM 425 Retail Category Management
RMM 435 Retail Planning and Allocation
RMM 441 Branding
RMM 480 Fashion Retail Market Planning and Execution
RMM 484 International Retail Industry Study Tour

Link to current catalog

The minor consists of 15 hours.

Complete:

RMM 210 – Introduction to Retail Management
RMM 341 – Consumers in the Global Marketplace

Select 9 hours:

RMM 225 – Fashion and Culture
RMM 310 – Retail Buying and Merchandising
RMM 311 – Human Resources Management in Hospitality and Retailing
RMM 320 – Product Development
RMM 346 – Retail Operations Management
RMM 376 – Customer Relationship Management and Retail Analytics
RMM 411 – Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
RMM 412 – Digital Retailing
RMM 421 – Global Retailing and Sourcing
RMM 425 – Retail Category Management
RMM 435 – Retail Planning and Allocation
RMM 441 – Branding
RMM 495 – Special Topics

Link to current catalog

To update your Minor on Banner, you must fill out this form ·

CEHHS Minor Add/Drop Form

Please note, you must log in with your UTK credentials (netid@vols.utk.edu) to access the form. If you have any questions, please email Michelle Passamonte, mpassamo@utk.edu.


The minor consists of 15 credit hours.

Complete:

  • RMM 210 Introduction to Retail Management
  • RMM 310 Retail Buying and Merchandising
  • RMM 376 Customer Relationship Management and Retail Analytics
  • RMM 425 Retail Category Management
  • RMM 435 Retail Planning and Allocation

Link to current catalog

In addition to the required coursework, the retail and merchandising management major focuses on learning through industry-related work experience and a required internship. A student must complete 300 hours of postsecondary-work experience in retailing before their junior year. In the summer between the junior and senior year, a required internship is completed along with a 6-hour-credit online course. The purpose of the internship is to gain valuable skills to help the graduate be more marketable to employers. Some students are offered permanent positions with their internship companies.

The department offers international and domestic study tours that combine industry and cultural visits. A New York fashion market trip is scheduled each spring and a biannual trip overseas is taken during mini-term. Other study abroad opportunities are offered through Programs Abroad.

If you have questions about the RMM minor, please email Jason Carpenter, jcarpen1@utk.edu

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