Syllabus
WSU Department Name
Sales and Service Technology
WSU Course Number & Listing
SST 2383: Retail Merchandising and Buying Methods (3 Credit Hrs.)
High School: [High School Name]
WSU Concurrent Adjunct Instructor: [Name]
High School Course Name: [Concurrent High School Course]
[School Year]
(Attention: Contact the College or University you wish to attend to make sure that
these Concurrent Enrollment courses will meet your goals for fulfilling General
Education requirements or will count toward your chosen major).
Concurrent Adjunct Instructor’s Office Hours
[Concurrent Adjunct Instructor’s office hours]
Concurrent Adjunct Instructor’s phone and email
[Concurrent Adjunct Instructor’s phone and email]
Prerequisite High School Courses if any
[Prerequisite High School Courses if any]
WSU Course Description:
This course will provide a foundation for those students who plan to work in or with the
retailing industry. We will critically analyze the retailing process, the environment which
it operates in, and the functions that are performed. We will study extensively the six
elements of the retail strategy. These important elements include: merchandise
assortment, pricing, communication mix, location, customer service and store layout.
WSU Course Objectives:
As a result of taking this course, you will be able to accomplish the following:
-Summarize the six elements in the retail mix.
-Recall different retail categories and formats.
-Describe the current use of multichannel retailing in the industry today.
-Outline the pros and cons of each type of retail location a business owner may select.
-Name the key elements of the retail market strategy.
-Explain the organization and division of work for a retail firm.
-State the tools available for a customer relationship management programs.
-Utilize an income statement & balance sheet in identifying the financial standing of a
firm.
-Analyze the financial condition of a retail firm: Gross sales, returns and allowances, net
sales, cost of goods sold, gross margin, expenses and net profit.
-Analyze the depth, breadth, and balance of merchandise to be purchased.
-Explain the responsibilities of a buyer.
-Identify and explain personal qualities a buyer must have.
-Identify price practices a retail firm may use.
-Prepare a 6 month buying plan for a retail firm.
-Evaluate the use of national brands or a private label in a retail store.
-Compute and evaluate discounts and allowances offered by a merchandise vendor.
-Compute and evaluate dating and transportation terms offered by a merchandise vendor.
-Identify and explain vendor-retailer negotiation practices.
-Compute retail price, selling price, cost, initial markup, maintained markup and
markdown of merchandise..
-Analyze inventory records and calculate shrinkage.
-Calculate turnover.
-Compute reorder point for basic stock.
-Analyze the sale of merchandise and determine how sales can be stimulated.
-Employ advertising and social media options to increase sales.
-Explain federal regulations that control the selling and buying of merchandise.
-Explain the store manager’s responsibilities in running the store.
-Identify 3 store layout plans.
-Describe several different display fixtures and their best use.
WSU Required Textbook & Materials:
Retailing Management by Levy and Weitz, Irwin/McGraw Hill, 2012 (8th ed.)
ISBN-13: 978-0-07-353002-4 or
ISBN-13: 9781121296220 (special paperback edition for Weber State University &
Jo Ellen Jonsson)
WSU Course Requirements:
[WSU Course Requirements]
WSU Grading:
A
93-100%
A90-92%
B+
87-89%
B
84-86 %
B80-83%
C+
77-79%
C
74-76%
C70-73%
Calendar of Course Content
[Calendar of Course Content]
WSU Course Evaluation:
As a concurrent student, you are given the privilege of evaluating this course. This is an
anonymous evaluation which allows you an opportunity to express your opinions of the
course and the instructor.
WSU Student Code of Conduct:
Download the WSU Student Code of Conduct at:
www.weber.edu/concurrent/students/CodeOfConduct.asp