The Retail Management part-time degree program allows students employed in the retail sector or related fields, to pursue part-time studies through year round flexible programming.

The part-time program is offered to accommodate those students who intend to take the degree at a slower pace than the full-time day program, due to the demands of daytime employment and/or family obligations.  This program enhances career opportunities for those working in the retail industry. Part-time students fulfill their course requirements primarily by distance (Internet-based) offerings, or in the evenings where available, by enrolling in courses through The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education for the first three semesters, and through the Ted Rogers School of Retail Management day offerings for selected required courses. Part-time students are entitled to access up to a maximum of three courses per semester, space permitting. The School can make no guarantees that all courses required will be offered or available each semester for the part-time program. Therefore, enrolment is subject to availability. Students who feel that the part-time course accessibility no longer suits their personal and academic needs and have taken at least eight courses (including RMG 200, QMS 102 and ITM 102), should apply to transfer permanently into the full-time day program.

The Bachelor of Commerce in Retail Management prepares students for professional careers in the retail sector and its related industries. An expanding global industry, the retail career opportunities are increasingly diverse. As well, the program will prepare those students interested in postgraduate studies in this, or related areas. The program is designed to develop effective leadership and analytic  skills toward a strategic understanding of consumer insight and drivers of the demand chain.

Graduates of the Retail Management program may pursue a variety of career options within the industry:

• buying and supply chain management positions in a retailer's or manufacturer's head office including: trend identification, assortment planning, selection and procurement, supply chain management and logistics functions;
• store operations management positions in single-unit or multi-unit organizations which specialize in products or services;
• marketing positions in retail companies and related industries of advertising and communications;
• planning and analysis positions for retailers in areas such as: rapidly changing consumer needs, the global retail environment and the impact of technology on changing retail formats;
• retail real estate companies in marketing, leasing or analytics;
• new venture start-up and management.

The program provides students with an integrated perspective of the many facets of a retail organization as well as insight into the broader context of retailing in society. Students will develop practical and comprehensive knowledge of customer service strategies, 'people' skills, information systems, merchandising and financial acumen as essential elements in the Retail Industry.

This part-time program requires the completion of all courses as outlined by the traditional eight-semester degree, but students will progress at a different pace. While part-time students have some flexibility in course selection and sequence, all introductory level courses should be completed before progressing to intermediate/advanced topics. Courses listed in the first four traditional semesters provide students with the foundational skills and knowledge of a Bachelor of Commerce degree and introductory courses with an emphasis on retail management. Some of the topics include: Consumer Insight, Logistics and Supply Chain, Buying, Merchandising and Service Quality Management.

In upper level courses, students have the opportunity to delve into more advanced (and strategic) theories, concepts and practices. Retailing in the context of the entire value chain is explored with concepts related to service strategy taking on a broader dimension. A package of elective courses provides students with flexibility in building a program of study that meets individual needs including topics such as Advanced Buying, Visualizing Data for Decisions, Corporate Responsibility, Multi-Channel, Store Design and Planning, Franchising, and Social Media Marketing.

Exchange and Travel Study

After the completion of 214 credits minimum, students have the opportunity, subject to availability of spaces and academic performance, to study for a semester abroad.  Travel/Study trips to Europe, Asia, and/or North America may be available to students in conjunction with specific courses.  In a given year, students may also choose to participate in an extra-curricular Travel Study in major retail centres such as Montreal, New York or Chicago.

Internship Placement

Upon completion of RMG 799 Retail Internship Placement, a school-approved work placement or relevant full-time work experience, students in their final year of the program will be enrolled in RMG 801 "Retail Career Strategies".  This course will provide an opportunity to explore leadership and management skills along with guidance for career planning, while building from accumulated work experience and personal reflection. 

Mandatory work placements are typically documented through the School following the completion of at least seventy-five percent of the required degree credits.  This work experience may cover one or more areas from a broad range of Retail Management opportunities including store management, visual merchandising, marketing roles and more. 

Course Identification

Part-time courses are administered by either the program department or The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. The mode of delivery is not reflected in this calendar. Continuing education courses are listed in your enrolment information package and are identified by with a "C" prefix (e.g., CRMG 200). These identifiers are for internal use only and do not affect the equivalency.

Liberal Studies

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Such studies must be in disciplines outside the student's field of professional specialization; their purpose is to develop the capacity to understand and appraise the social and cultural context in which graduates will work as professionals and live as educated citizens.