The retail industry is a dynamic field with diverse career ladders. Retail employers want to attract and retain the best and brightest employees. This one-year program is designed to prepare the graduate for a professional career in retail operations. Graduates of this program will find success in a variety of retail or wholesale related careers. Graduates will be able to work in areas such as marketing and sales, merchandising, inventory control and logistics, warehousing and distribution, customer enhancement and retail planning and operations.
Program Facts
Length: One-Year Ontario College Certificate program (also available part-time) Location: Doon (Kitchener) Start: September First-Year Capacity: 35 Tuition: Please refer to Fees Chart for more detail *Fees are higher for international students on a Student Visa. *Recreation/Athletics, Graduation/Alumni, Insurance, as well as program-related costs such as books and supplies are additional.
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or 19 years of age or older with mature student status. (See Mature Student Definition for details.)
Grade 12 compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1270).
An academic strength is calculated by averaging the submitted marks of required subjects. If more than one mark is received for a required subject, the highest mark will be used in the calculation.
Ten (10) additional marks are added to each Advanced level, OAC, U, U/C course used in the calculation of academic strength.
Twenty (20) additional marks are added to each post-secondary course used in the calculation of academic strength.
A sound English background is important for success in this program and is considered during the admission selection process.
Minimum cutoffs apply.
For program information call the Information Centre for details at 519-748-5220 ext. 3656.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through a prior learning assessment process (PLAR). Prior learning must be measurable at the college level and meet Conestoga standards of achievement for current courses . PLAR process is not used for admission process. Obtaining credits for courses linked to a specific program does not guarantee entrance into the program. To require guidance on the PLAR process contact the PLAR office at 519-748-5220, ext 2260 or visit: www.conestogac.on.ca/caa/testing/plar.jsp
Description: Introducing the communication skills necessary for success, this course analyzes cases that reflect real life situations. Students will attain the skills in problem solving and decision making required in professional communications. Emphasis will be placed on producing effective letters and memoranda. The course also helps students develop presentation skills. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will provide the student with learning tools that will help them to improve basic arithmetic skills and to develop reasoning and problem solving skills. It is designed for students to help them bridge any existing gap between their current preparation and college level math. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Marketing is about knowing the customers and the creative and strategic processes to meet their needs, wants and desires. This highly interactive course introduces you to the world of marketing from both a societal and organizational perspective. You will participate in a variety of hands-on practical activities and projects to immerse yourself in the fundamentals of marketing. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: The course will focus on active listening to facilitate issue resolution, while informing customers of store policies, as well as in-store, after sales service and call centers. Students need to be able to answer the question of ?who is the customer?? in different retail venues. In addition, the course will include a research component to determine customer satisfaction levels, customer retention strategies and statistical analysis of customer buying patterns that directly link to strategies and plans for the overall operation. An overview of the psychology of the consumer will provide the student with a behavioral perspective with a consideration to generational and cultural diversity. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This merchandise planning course allows students the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge associated with design and staging across all areas of merchandising. The main focus will be directed towards modern retail/storefront operations, layout and design and point of purchase displays. Students will work on projects that span a range of practical applications, which incorporate the store image that the retailer has strategically planned to attract a specific target market’s demographic and psychographic profile. Topics will include visual merchandising and display basics, where to display, what to use for successful displays, visual merchandising and display techniques, and visual merchandise planning. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Operations management in an organization is more than simply scheduling parts through a production line. Learning how the concepts in this discipline relate to a variety of diverse organizations, this course teaches the tools and tasks of Operations Management from the perspectives of manufacturing and service industries. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course builds basic skills in accounting terminology, the accounting equation, the double-entry system of bookkeeping and financial statements. Extensive hands on practice with the journals and ledgers making up a basic accounting system will be provided. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Introducing word processing and spreadsheet applications on a microcomputer, this course will teach: entering text, developing solutions to business problems, describing the processing cycle of a computer and how data is stored, the function and type of storage used in computers, input and output operations and the impact of computers on society. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will focus on management practices and leadership skills in retail organizations. This is an opportunity to discuss current trends and issues through guest speakers, case studies and readings. This course will also address the growing pressure on retailers to respond to environmental issues through their product offering and day-to-day retail operation. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will focus on the process of merchandising and the principles applied to the planning, development, and presentation of product lines in the retail sector. Students will be exposed to seasonal merchandise plans, external factors which affect the merchandise planning process, developing and presenting a merchandising strategy, industry stock benchmarks as well as ensuring consistent performance and accountability between departments, categories and locations. This course includes key concepts to help prepare students for Retail Council of Canada certification. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This capstone course will be a practical application based on the learning that has taken place from all courses. Students will have an opportunity to practice all the steps necessary to conceptualize, develop, open, and finally operate a business in the safe and nurturing environment of the classroom. Students are encouraged to identify a retail mentor for the duration of this course and. This course includes key concepts to help prepare students for Retail Council of Canada certification. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: MKT1040 CoRequisites:
Description: This course deals with the buying/selling of a product, service or idea. Management students will compare personal, retail, and industrial selling and develop selling skills based on practical techniques and scenarios. Other topics include international selling, sales management and ethical behaviour. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: MKT1040 CoRequisites:
Graduate Opportunities
Graduates of the Retail Operations program will be able to work in areas such as retail planning and operations, marketing and sales, merchandising, inventory control and logistics, as well as warehousing and distribution.
Degree Completion Opportunities
Conestoga College is dedicated to creating exciting and flexible degree completion opportunities for many programs for current, former and prospective students. Learn how a Conestoga education can respond to the community's demand for a skilled workforce and help you to reach your goal of a challenging and rewarding career.
Visit our Degree Completion Opportunities website.
Financial Assistance
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a needs based program designed to help Ontario students cover the cost of post-secondary education. Funded by the federal and provincial governments, OSAP is intended to promote equality of opportunity for post-secondary studies through direct financial assistance for educational costs and living expenses. These interest-free loans are intended to supplement your financial resources and those of your family. The majority of students apply for loan assistance via the OSAP website: http://osap.gov.on.ca. Students can also print the application booklet through the OSAP website.
For more information, please visit Financial Aid/Awards.
Program Advisory Committees
The College appoints Program Advisory Committee members for diploma, degree, certificate and apprenticeship programs. Committees are composed of employers, practitioners and recent program graduates. College representatives (students, faculty, and administrators) are resource persons. Each committee advises the Board on the development of new programs, the monitoring of existing programs and community acceptance of programs.
For a list of the current members, please visit our Program Advisory Committees.
