CNSRSCI 357
Retail Theory & Practice/
Intro to Retailing
Instructor: Dr. Nancy Murray
“Murray”
E-Mail: njmurray@wisc.edu
Office:4210 Nancy Nicholas Hall
Course Description
This course provides foundational knowledge of the retail industry including introduction to the
retail parties and their relationships, the nature of retail competition, the evolution of the retail
industry, key drivers and trends, retail operations, key performance indicators and retail/consumer
policy. As a broad survey of the industry, this course provides you with a framework and set of
concepts that will support the remainder of your core courses.
Learning Outcomes
1. Describe where retail has been, is today and where it is headed with an explanation of
the drivers of that evolution
2. Anticipate the possible and likely outcomes of a change in retail strategy, policy or
competitive set for retailers and for consumers
3. Define the functions and relationships required to implement retail activity
Evaluation
Open book & note quizzes & final exam; in-class group activities, project/paper on an assigned
retailer in relation to the book, Why We Buy.
A lot of ground will be covered in one semester, which will provide a strong foundation for future
retailing courses. As this course is introductory and a large enrollment, the format is lecture,
presentations and examination. There will be some group discussions with in-class activities as
well. To ensure students stay on task, the course leverages online technology in the form of
automatically graded quizzes to track students’ progress.
Resources
Levy, M., Weitz, B., & Grewal, D., (2014) Retailing Management. 9th edition. New York: McGrawHill, Irwin. ISBN#978-0-07-802899-1
Underhill, P., (either the 2000 or 2008 version is fine) Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping.
New York: Simon & Schuster ISBN # 978-1-4165-9524-3 for 2008 version or 978-0-6848-4914-0
for 2000 version.
Class notes & lectures, reading on Learn@ UW, industry expert guest speakers
Retail Theory & Practice/
Intro to Retailing
1
Week Semester Schedule
Subject Chapter Assessments of Learning Quizzes on Learn@UW Points Points 4 Introduction, syllabus review & “Why Retail?” Industry guest presenter History of Retailing Prep Intro to Retailing 1 Quiz Prep Types of Retailers 2 Quiz Prep Multichannel Retailing 3 Quiz 10 10 10 Post Quiz Post Quiz Post Quiz 5 Consumer Buying Behavior 4 Prep Quiz 10 Post Quiz 20 6 Retail Market & Financial Strategy 5 & 6 Prep Quiz 10 Post Quiz 20 7 Retail Locations & Site Location 7 & 8 Prep Quiz 10 Post Quiz 20 1 2 3 Supply Chain Management 10 Customer Relationship 9 Management 11 Merchandise Planning Process & Buying 10 Merchandise 12 & 13 Retail Pricing & Retail 11 Communication Mix HRM & Managing the Store + Loss 12 Prevention Store Layout, Design & Visual 13 Merchandising Why We Buy & the 14 Science of Shopping 15 Customer Service 16 Final Exam Assessments of Learning Prep & Post Quizzes Discussion, activities & project Final Exam TOTAL Retail Theory & Practice/
Intro to Retailing
20 20 10 Post Quiz Post Quiz Prep Quiz 10 Post Quiz 20 Prep 14 & 15 Quiz 10 Post Quiz 20 Prep Quiz 10 Post Quiz 20 10 Post Quiz 20 8 9 &16 Prep Quiz Prep Quiz 20 Prep 17 Quiz Why We Prep Buy Book Quiz Prep 18 Quiz 10 10 10 20 20 Additional points for in-­‐class activities, participation and discussion throughout the semester Project/ Paper Post Quiz 20 Comprehensive Exam # of possible points 400 160 160 720 150 % to total 56% 22% 22% 100% Grading Scale % of Points Earned 93-­‐100 A 88-­‐92 AB 83-­‐87 B 78-­‐82 BC 70-­‐77 C 60-­‐69 D 59 & below F 2