Retail Management

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U courses in: English and Mathematics (one of Grade 12 U Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U) or Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U)).

Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. Grade 12 U Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) is the preferred Mathematics course.
3. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 70 percent range or higher) will be determined subject to competition.
4. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
   
5. Beginning with applications for fall 2025, students can apply directly to the regular four-year undergraduate program or the five-year co-op option. Admission to the co-op option is subject to competition. Applicants who are not selected for the co-op option are automatically considered for the regular program. To maintain a place in co-op, students will need to meet CGPA requirements, successfully complete all courses and submit required documentation.

Co-op for Retail Management Students:

Students enrolled in Retail Management wishing to be considered for this program must apply for admission into the co-op option upon completion of the first year of the degree. Admission into the co-op program is based on the following items:

1. Minimum CGPA of 2.80 (or higher), subject to competition.
   
2. Evidence of superior oral and written communication skills.
3. An application that includes a letter and resume to be followed by an interview with the Faculty Advisor.

The Ted Rogers School of Retail Management will consider graduates of the following two-year and three-year Diploma programs for admission to the second year of Toronto Metropolitan University's Retail Management Program. Some reach back courses are required. A minimum cumulative average of 'B' is required. A demonstrated ability to succeed in the retail industry may be required.  Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages above the minimum.

• Fashion Business and Fashion Business Management programs at Seneca College;
  
• Fashion Management program at George Brown College;
  
• Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Marketing and Management programs at Fanshawe College;
  
• Fashion Arts and Fashion Arts and Business programs at Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.

The program is designed to develop effective leadership and analytic skills toward a strategic understanding of shopper insights and drivers of the value 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, category management, 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;
  
• digital retailing and marketing positions in retail companies or 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 and (shopping centre management) companies in marketing, leasing or analytics;
  
• entrepreneurship 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.

Courses listed in the first four 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, Applied Retail Research and Service Quality Management.

In semesters 5 through 8, 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, Private Label, Sector Studies in Fashion and Luxury, Digital Advertising in Retailing, Corporate Responsibility, Omni-Channel, Store Design and Planning, Franchising, Category Management, and Social Media Marketing.

In fifth or sixth semester, 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.

Internships are an integral part of the B.Comm in Retail management – giving students an opportunity to put theory into practice by working with a retail manager to document and develop new skills and personal learning objectives. This work experience may cover one or more areas from a broad range of Retail Management opportunities including store management, visual merchandising, buying, shopping centre management, retail banking, e-commerce, digital marketing roles and more.

Before starting an internship, students are required to enrol in the RMG 79A/B Internship Placement and Prep Course during their sixth semester of the curriculum.

The internship work term is completed in the spring/summer following RMG 79A/B as the final graded component in that course.

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Revised curriculum begins 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

Revised curriculum begins 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

Revised curriculum begins 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2021 and after.

The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:

Second-Year Entry students will normally be admitted into 3rd Semester of this program. Some reach back courses are required. Students should refer to their Offer of Admission for details.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Fawad Baig
Retail Client Services and Delivery Leader
Deloitte Digital Canada

Gino Dorico
Regional VP, Eastern Canada
Costco Wholesale Canada

Alim Esmail
VP Merchandising Operations
Walmart

Michael Forgione
President
United Grocers Inc

Myles Gooding, Chair
Partner, Retail Sector Lead
PwC

Andrew Gomes
Online Search and Merchandise Manager
Acklands Grainger Inc.

Carolyn Hynds
VP Omni - Channel
Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd.

Pouneh Hanafi
VP Omni - Channel
Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd.

Graham Heuman
Research and Insights Associate
JCWG

Hardeep Kharaud
SVP Market Merchandising and Promotions
Loblaw Companies Limited

Michelle Letther
VP Human Resources
Roots Canada Ltd.

Jill MacDougall
Program Manager, Internships
Lululemon

Cheri Mara
VP, Business Development and Customer Strategy
Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS)

Laura Smith
Vice President, Customer Experience & Insights
Canadian Tire Corporation

Robert Sopov
VP, Sales and Customer Development
Johnson and Johnson Inc. Canada

Honorary Members List

Michael Belcourt

Deane Collinson

Andrea Elliott

Satish Kahwar

Ian Landy

Marnie Lipman

Steve Matyas

Richard Montgomery

Dave Rodgerson

Dave Williams