Skip to main content

Kalyanam, Kirthi

Kirthi Kalyanam

L.J. Skaggs Distinguished Professor
Executive Director, Retail Management Institute

Curriculum Vitae (CV)


Professor Kalyanam is the L.J. Skaggs Distinguished Professor and Executive Director of the Retail Management Institute, at Santa Clara University.  With research and expertise in retailing, internet & multi-channel marketing, Dr. Kalyanam develops a distinctive cutting-edge curriculum and delivers innovative learning experiences. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and insights into the future of retail, having previously lead executive seminars on Internet Disruption, the Future of Retail and the Amazon and Wal-Mart Effect in Retailing.

He has served as Faculty Director of the Executive MBA program, a visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, a guest faculty in the Stanford Executive MMP program, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of SpinCircuit Inc, a provider of supply chain integration services to the electronics industry and  served on the Board of Directors for Overstock.com. 

Dr. Kalyanam advises early stage startups and designed and delivered the first Retail University program at Google and today is developing the 3rd generation of this program. It is through his strong connections, he is able to engage industry collaboration for RMI and the retail studies program. 

Kirthi finds inspiration in Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit, expanding the boundaries to connect ideas, and organizations through RMI’s retail study students and transformative programming. He is committed to discovery through the blending of the retail and technology industries. 

He received his Ph.D. in business administration from the Krannert School of Management, Purdue University. 

September 2019

In the News

This shopping habit fuels Cyber Monday deals. Just don't tell the boss
11.26.25, USA Today

Shoppers still can’t get enough of Advent calendars, and brands are racing to keep up with demand
11.13.25, Modern Retail

How fast fashion transformed the way consumers shop in the 21st century
10.10.25, Retail Brew

How can millennial mall stores become cool again?
08.26.25, Retail Brew

Expert: Why an iconic mall retailer faces Chapter 11 bankruptcy
07.15.25, TheStreet

Kohl’s To Close Local Giant Warehouse, Impacting 768 jobs
06.06.25, Dayton Daily News

Unpacked: What is the ‘first sale rule’ and can it reduce tariff costs?
06.03.25, Modern Retail

How Do U.S. Tariffs Affect Online Shopping for Singaporeans?
06.02.25, moneydigest.sg

Tariffs Or No, Apple May Raise iPhone Prices This Year
05.12.25, CNET

What a White House-Amazon kerfuffle says about tariffs, prices and talking to customers
05.01.25, Retail Dive