Did you know that U.S. retail sales were more than $4.4 trillion in 2021? Constantly changing and growing, retail is often referred to as the heart of the fashion industry and has a wide variety of career possibilities. Without retail, where would we get the latest fashions? If you are interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry, Marist’s Sumer Pre-College Fashion Merchandising – Retail Strategies course is for you.
Welcome to Marist's Summer Pre-College for Fashion Merchandising Program!
Marist College is a highly selective comprehensive liberal arts institution noted for its leadership in technology in and out of the classroom. When prospective students see Marist–our beautiful location on the Hudson River, top-notch facilities, the faculty attentiveness, and the sheer enjoyment of their experience here–they want to join our community. At Marist, students get a premium education, develop skills, make lifelong friends, and finish ahead of the competition for their next steps.
An Exploration of Fashion Merchandising Retail Strategies
This course will explore the foundational strategies of successful retailers including target market identification, trade area analysis, product assortment and merchandising, sales analytics, customer service and loyalty, promotion, and operations. Trends shaping the future of retail such as sustainability, e-commerce, social media, customization and personalization, experiential retail, gamification and the metaverse will also be examined. Students will actively participate in skill-building exercises and apply their knowledge in hands-on workshops, all led by a full time Marist Fashion Program faculty who has over 20 years of retail experience. In addition to classroom work, students will gain knowledge through field trips and guest speakers.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course students will be able to:
Analyze the retail industry by store type, customer type, price orientation, and merchandise strategy.
Understand how to identify target markets and consumer behavior.
Possess knowledge of all the elements that encompasses a retailer’s total image positioning.
Identify approaches to building customer loyalty.
Understand the steps in procuring, developing, and selling merchandise.
Explore the operational aspects of running an effective retail business.
Demonstrate how the right mix of public relations, publicity, advertising and customer service through different media channels can enhance the communication of a retailer.
Explore how emerging global retailers/brands will shape the future retail landscape.
Earn College Credits Over the Summer
Marist Summer Pre-College is geared toward sophomores and juniors in high school. Upon successful completion of the Fashion Merchandising Program, each student will earn three (3) transferable college credits for the Marist College course, FASH 104N.
Program Cost
Please see below for the 2023 Pre-College program costs. Cost includes tuition & fees, housing & all meals, field trips, and all course materials. Cost does not include travel expenses. Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Marist Bookstore or the local mall, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase.
