Congratulations 2023 Graduates!
Congratulations to our Retail Management Institute Graduates of 2023!
Shipping Issues and Solutions in 2022
How Can Retailers Compete in the Challenging Shipping Market Today?

Why Faster Shipping Matters
The State of Shipping Report, 2022 by X Delivery and Kirthi Kalyanam, Ph.D.
“Customers want shipping to be free and fast — and they’re willing to abandon carts and walk away from brands that fail to deliver on both fronts. Today’s consumers are more demanding than ever, and it’s up to merchants to give them the streamlined, expedited shipping experiences that they crave.”
RMI’s Executive Director Professor Kirthi Kalyanam Ph.D.

Last Mile and Fulfillment
Reining in Costs Without Sacrificing Speed and Service
This Last Mile and Fulfillment Tech Guide will explore:
- How retailers can use data transparency, proactive customer communications and greater certainty about delivery times to escape from the “speed trap” of trying to keep up with Amazon;
- AI-powered tools that can improve last mile profitability by more accurately sensing where consumer demand is heading, as well as a more holistic view of both costs and the revenue each item produces; and
- Mitigating the negative impact of returns by strategically adding fees, along with viewing the return process as an opportunity for greater customer engagement.
Exciting News!
Long time RMI Board member Michael Schriver has been appointed LVMH Group President of North Asia.
In his new role Michael is responsible for all LVMH brands (Fashion & Leather goods, Perfume and Cosmetics, Selective Retail, and Wine and Spirits) for mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Korea.
Michael is a visionary who saw the potential of the luxury business in Asia, relocated to Hong Kong well over a decade ago and developed deep on the ground experience in Asia. LVMH is the world's largest luxury goods company and North Asia is one of the most important markets for the Luxury business. This appointment is indeed a recognition of Michael's vision and proven capabilities.
See announcement from LVMH and a quote from Bernard Arnault Chairman of LVMH below. A big congrats from all of us Michael on this well deserved appointment.
Digital Merchandising Certification
RMI and Bloomreach are offering an innovative 2-day course that will set you apart from the competition.
Must Hear Podcast: Value of Certifications
"From a technology usage point of view, any area like e-commerce digital marketing, where technology is a big part of everything that’s going on, hands-on experience with those platforms is something that is going to become a valuable and important part of the student experience."
RMI’s Executive Director Professor Kirthi Kalyanam Ph.D.
Why Retail Studies?
Join RMI! Recruitment Video
RMI’s Retail Studies minor is a differentiator, a distinction that creates Your future. RMI connects you to an innovative curriculum with an e-commerce focused view. Engage with industry leaders, alumni, and the RMI Community for countless opportunities to connect, grow and expand Your career possibilities.
Innovative Curriculum
That Gives You Job-Ready Expertise

The design and management of store, catalog, and Internet-based retail channels. Topics include how retailers create value for the producer and the end user, the financial and marketing strategies that underlie retailing formats, target marketing decisions, merchandise management, how retail price promotions work, managing customer service, and the execution of retail marketing decisions. Mini cases, video cases, an applied project, and guest speakers from industry will be utilized to provide practical illustration of various concepts and stimulate class discussion.

Designed to demonstrate the newest technologies and analytical methods that aid how merchandise may be procured, managed, and sold in various retailing establishments, the ART AND SCIENCE OF MERCHANDISING is a combination of lectures and discussions with conversations led by the industry guest speakers to showcase the real-world merchandising decision making. Students experience the merchandise procurement process, and develop, propose and defend effective merchandise planning decisions.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the private brand strategy for retailers.
- Describe and evaluate different product recommendation systems and the algorithms that support such systems.
- Propose and defend sales promotion strategies for retailers.
- Articulate the key factors in visual merchandising decisions.
- Understand how retailers can use search engines to refine their merchandising decisions.
- Understand key elements in the merchandise decisions for various industries, including luxury, travel, grocery, fashion, department stores, etc.

Innovation has found its way into retailing from many places: Entry of horizontal platforms (Amazon, Alibaba.com, eBay, Google Shopping), vertical platforms (Wayfair), manufacturers (Nike) and digitally native brands that are born on the web and sell directly to end consumers (Purple, Allbirds, Zennis, Lulus) and the responses of incumbent retailers (HEB, Petco).
These innovations have created new edges (boundaries) in retail space that highlight new consumer needs in retailing. Innovation, Disruption & Acceleration in the Retail Industry focuses on retail innovation with focus on research projects and analysis that answers what is the new competitive structure of the retail industry? Who is winning and where? What are the consumer needs and how has the changing economics and margin structure directed a need for alternate revenue streams?

RMI Internships represent an opportunity to experience and have exposure to the retail industry. An RMI internship provides a diverse view of company culture, business and corporate branding and strategy. Students build and utilize core skills including leadership, organization, collaboration and communication to develop and prepare for an impactful career journey in the retail and retail technology industry.
Discover Your Internship
Retail Studies Students have access to an abundance of retail opportunities through our industry partners, SCU Career Center and RMI alumni. Career Pop-Ins, Industry Meet -Ups, Prep Camp, Speaker Events, Retail Studies Student Association (RSSA) Panel Conversations and the Annual Internship Faire - all exclusively designed to provide You with the connections that are only available through RMI.
What's New

Our Winter/Spring issue introduces our new President, shares our 2022 Shoptalk experience, and explores current trends in business attire. Learn more about companies we love and hear what alumni and retail industry experts have to say.

Our Fall issue features the Levi Strauss & Co. internship program. Alum Omar Herrera Luna shares his personal journey from intern to merchant for Levi's. Also, looking for a way to separate yourself from the competition? Learn about our exciting Digital Merchandising Certification.

Professor Kirthi Kalyanam, Ph.D rose to action. Watch Kalyanam in this episode of Bridging the Distance, featuring guest host Provost Lisa Kloppenberg, discuss working with the Retail Management Institute.