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Academic Programs In Retailing
From: Jan Owens <jpowens(at)execpc.com>
I can make a few recommendations for those interested in retailing programs, with the
following suggestions, caveats, and over-generalizations.
First, retailing programs are trans-subject areas that can be
centered in schools of business or consumer sciences/human ecology. In general, I like to
see the opportunity for retail students to take classes from both disciplinary areas. As
one might expect, the business programs TEND to be stronger in nuts-and-bolts managerial
teaching (including retail/marketing strategy,) while programs in schools of consumer
sciences TEND to be stronger in merchandising areas. Both can do very well in courses in
consumer behavior, and a good course in this subject is a must. As we all know, both
managerial and merchandising skills are critical to retailing in competitive times. Even
if a student wishes to specialize in one area or the other, the most successful know the
issues in the other school of thought. My own solution is to recommend that students take
important courses offered from both schools if one program does not fill the need. Some do
-- you have to check out the latest offerings and programs.
Second, recognize that some programs may grant degrees in business administration or
another subject area, with a major concentration in retailing. Some grant a degree as
"Retailing." The only way to know if the program is suitable for your needs is
to look at the recommended curriculum.
Third, some schools may be particularly good in part because of their business contacts in
the geographic area, such as Hofstra and F.I.T in New York City and their relationships
with fashion retailers and design houses. Portland State (Oregon) has a very close
relationship with businesses involved in food distribution, and the U of Oklahoma (Norman)
and the U of Wisconsin - Madison have deep expertise in distribution and logistics
management. Others are quite good in placing their students on a nationwide basis.
Fourth, there are some individual professors who do an exceptional job in teaching basic
retailing courses, or specific courses that are very valuable in retailing, even if there
is not a retailing program per se. One example I can think of is Dr. Carol Anderson at
Rollins College, a small, very business-focused school in Orlando that does an exceptional
job in teaching with state-of-the-art skills and expectations. One could have said the
same for Dr. Deborah Dehab at the U of Nebraska, but she is now with a market research
firm in Omaha. There are excellent people who teach specialized courses in the use and
knowledge to be gained from scanner data (e.g. Jeff Inman at the School of Business at the
U of Wisconsin - Madison; other schools are known for excellent researchers in this area
that may or may not teach actual classes in the subject, such as Lee McAlister at the U of
Texas - Austin and Stephen Hoch, now at Wharton.)
Fifth, the list below is sort of like saying your thank-you's at the Academy Awards -- if
I leave an exceptional program out in the heat of the moment, I apologize in advance (I
know there are more academics lurking out there, well beyond my level of expertise!). It's
probably because I don't know as much about their programs yet as those listed.
Sixth, there is an association, the American Collegiate Retailing Association (ACRA), that
includes professors of retailing in schools of business and consumer sciences. There are
various ways to contact the organization, including the web site:
www.okstate.edu/hes/acra/acra.htm. There MAY be useful information to track down there,
depending on your needs.
So saying, the following schools distinguish themselves in retailing expertise and
excellent teaching. Some have centers of retail management in one form or another, which
provide the schools with much contact with retail businesses (good for placement,
continuing education, etc.) The first few also have retailer support in the form of
chaired professorships in retailing, which indicates a high level of university commitment
to retailing. The contacts I have listed are my best ideas for information, or they may
refer you to someone else in charge.
1. The University of Florida
Warrington College of Business Administration
Department of Marketing
P.O. Box 11753
Gainesville, FL 32611-7153
Contact: Dr. Bart Weitz
Email: Bweitz(at)dale.cba.ufl.edu
2. Texas A & M University
Department of Marketing
College of Business Administration
College Station, TX 77843-4112
Contact: Leonard Berry
Email: BERRYLE(at)TAMU.EDU
3. University of Tennessee - Knoxville
School of Retail and Consumer Studies
Room 230, College of Human Ecology
1215 West Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-1900
Contact: Ann Fairhurst
Email: Fairhurs(at)utk.edu
4. University of Arizona
Division of Retailing & Consumer Studies
P.O. Box 210033
Tucson, AZ 85721-0033
Contact: Marty Ann Eastlick
Email: eastlick(at)u.arizona.edu
5. University of South Carolina
Department of Retailing
2026-J Coliseum
Columbia, SC 29208
Contact: Richard Clodfelter
Email: RClodfelt(at)aol.com
6. Hofstra University
Department of Marketing and International
Business
222 Weller Hall
Hempstead, NY 11549
Contact: Barry Berman
Email: Mktbxb(at)hofstra.edu
7. Department of Apparel Merchandising
Indiana University
Memorial Hall East
Bloomington, IN 47405-2201
Contacts: Theresa Williams Email:
THdwilli(at)indiana.edu
Kathleen
Rowold Email: rowold(at)indiana.edu
8. Kelley School of Business
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405
Contact: Dr. Donald Granbois
Email: granbois(at)indiana.edu
9. University of Alabama
Department of Marketing
109 Alston Hall, Stadium Drive
P.O. Box 870225
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0225
Contact: Robert Robicheaux
Email: Rrobiche(at)cba.ua.edu
10. New York University
Stern School of Business
44 West 4th Street Mec 11-66
New York, NY 10012
Contact: Avjit Ghosh
Email: Aghosh(at)stern.nyu.edu
11. Michigan State University
School of Human Environment and Design
Human Ecology Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1030
Contact: Linda Good
Email: Goodl(at)msu.edu
12. Michigan State University
Department of Marketing and Logistics
305 North Business Complex
East Landisng, MI 48824-1122
Contact: Stan Hollander
Email: (no listing)
Fax: 517-432-1112
13. School of Consumer Science
University of Wisconsin - Madison
1300 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Contact: Jikyeong Kang
Email: jkang(at)facstaff.wisc.edu
