Retail Management: BBA Retail Management vs. B.Com Retail Management

Retail business can be fast-paced or seasonal depending on the nature of the business, it requires a special understanding of the sector. Retail management courses train you to meet the growing demand for qualified professionals who understand the various aspects of retail business such as Consumers behaviour, Marketing, Event management, Branding and promotions, Advertising and PR, Retail finance, Customer relationship management. After high school or pre-university courses, you can pursue a B. Com or BBA in Retail Management to enter the sector.

Overview of the BBA Retail Management Course

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Retail Management covers retail management topics such as purchasing, advertising, marketing, inventory management, team management and accounts. The course is designed to enable students to understand the operations and management of retail businesses and cultivate essential skills required in the field. It is a 3-year long programme and you can apply for a BBA in Retail Management after the 12^th grade. The syllabus covers Retail marketing, Sales management, Store operations, Business communication, Customer relationship management, Branding and advertising, Visual Merchandising, IT application in retail management, Business communication, Sales management, Human resource management and Supply chain management.

Aside from written exams, students will have to do field study, internship, and appear for viva voce.

Overview of B. Com Retail Management

Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) Retail Management is an industry-oriented commerce programme where students will learn about the management and operation of retail business. Students can study Retail Management as an elective subject, major in Retail management, or pursue a three-year integrated programme. The course covers principles of retail management and commerce subjects.

The syllabus for B. Com Retail Management covers – Introduction to retail operation, In-store cashiering & Merchandising Operations, Professional Communication, Basics of Business Management, International Foreign Trade, Microeconomics and Market Structure, Retail Associate cum Cashier, Sales Management, Customer Relationship Management, ERP & Computer Skills, Financial & Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, FMCG/FMCD Sales & Distribution, Non-Store Retailing, Team Management Operations Research, Human Resource Development, Retail Team Leader and Store Operations Management.

The course aims to cover the nature, scope and functions of retailing and acquaint students with concepts of distribution methods and emerging trends in the field. students will also touch upon concepts of logistics, organised and unorganised retailing, and challenges in global retailing trends.

What is the scope after course completion?

Once you complete the course, you can apply for a wide range of entry to mid-level management roles with shopping malls, retail stores, multi-brand stores, supermarkets, or any Business-to-customer (B2C) company. You can launch your store and become a retail entrepreneur.

For higher roles or building a career in a niche, you can do some certification courses such as software courses in customer relationship management, supply chain management, operations management, database system management or enterprise resource planning among others. You can also complete your MBA or M.Com in Retail Management or any other branch such as Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, or Finance Management.

Finding a mid-way between Retail management and eCommerce

Retail businesses are supplementing their presence by expanding into e-commerce stores. With this, they are giving customers additional points of interaction, expanding brand presence and market cover. So, a career in retail management can lead to greater opportunities in the B2C segment with a global customer base. This will involve more complexities and wider responsibilities. A degree in retail management will ensure you have a strong foundation and deeper understanding of the operations. The B. Com course touches upon subjects such as Finance and Accounting, Business Law, and Business Mathematics and statistics deeply. Thus, it helps a person navigate through the more complex aspects of business management. With BBA, the focus is more on creating an overview of all subjects so that the person in the managerial position can oversee the operations and make smart and timely decisions based on the inputs provided by the department heads.

Whether you apply for BBA or B. Com, there are ample opportunities in the Retail sector and if you are a people person and want to be part of a fast-moving industry then you must dive into these courses.