Comprehensive Course Structure
The Retail Management program at Universal Skilltech University Maharashtra spans four years and consists of 8 semesters. Each semester includes a combination of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions designed to build both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RM101 | Introduction to Retail Management | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | RM102 | Business Communication | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | RM103 | Mathematics for Retail | 4-0-0-4 | - |
| 1 | RM104 | Introduction to Data Science | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | RM105 | Lab: Introduction to Retail Tools | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 2 | RM201 | Retail Store Design & Layout | 3-0-0-3 | RM101 |
| 2 | RM202 | Consumer Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | RM103 |
| 2 | RM203 | Supply Chain Fundamentals | 3-0-0-3 | RM101 |
| 2 | RM204 | Marketing Principles | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | RM205 | Lab: Data Analysis Tools | 0-0-3-1 | RM104 |
| 3 | RM301 | Retail Data Analytics | 3-0-0-3 | RM204 |
| 3 | RM302 | Customer Experience Management | 3-0-0-3 | RM202 |
| 3 | RM303 | Brand Strategy & Positioning | 3-0-0-3 | RM204 |
| 3 | RM304 | Retail Technology & Innovation | 3-0-0-3 | RM104 |
| 3 | RM305 | Lab: Advanced Analytics Project | 0-0-3-1 | RM301 |
| 4 | RM401 | Retail Operations Management | 3-0-0-3 | RM203 |
| 4 | RM402 | Sustainable Retail Practices | 3-0-0-3 | RM301 |
| 4 | RM403 | E-commerce Strategy & Implementation | 3-0-0-3 | RM304 |
| 4 | RM404 | Retail Finance & Risk Management | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | RM405 | Lab: Retail Simulation Project | 0-0-3-1 | RM401 |
| 5 | RM501 | Retail Strategy & Planning | 3-0-0-3 | RM401 |
| 5 | RM502 | Global Retail Market Analysis | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | RM503 | Consumer Behavior Analytics | 3-0-0-3 | RM202 |
| 5 | RM504 | Retail Innovation & Trends | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | RM505 | Lab: Capstone Research Project | 0-0-3-1 | RM501 |
| 6 | RM601 | Retail Policy & Regulatory Framework | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | RM602 | Retail Ethics & Corporate Responsibility | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | RM603 | Retail Entrepreneurship & Startups | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | RM604 | Retail Capstone Project | 3-0-0-3 | RM505 |
| 6 | RM605 | Lab: Capstone Implementation | 0-0-3-1 | RM604 |
Detailed Departmental Elective Courses
Retail Data Analytics: This course equips students with advanced analytical tools and techniques to interpret complex retail datasets. Students learn how to apply statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and visualization platforms to identify trends, forecast demand, and optimize pricing strategies.
Customer Experience Management: Focused on designing seamless and engaging customer journeys across multiple channels, this course explores the psychology behind satisfaction and loyalty, and how to leverage feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement.
Brand Strategy & Positioning: Designed to develop students' understanding of brand identity creation and management, this course covers brand architecture, positioning strategies, and integrated marketing communications in competitive retail environments.
Retail Technology & Innovation: This course introduces students to emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, VR/AR, and blockchain in the context of retail innovation. Through hands-on labs and case studies, students gain practical experience in implementing tech solutions to enhance retail operations.
Retail Operations Management: Students explore the intricacies of managing day-to-day retail activities including inventory control, staff scheduling, store layout design, and performance metrics measurement to ensure operational excellence.
Sustainable Retail Practices: This course addresses the environmental impact of retail operations and introduces sustainable practices such as green logistics, circular economy models, and eco-friendly product development strategies that align with corporate social responsibility goals.
E-commerce Strategy & Implementation: Focused on digital commerce ecosystems, this course teaches students how to design and execute effective online retail strategies, including website optimization, mobile app development, social commerce, and omnichannel integration.
Retail Finance & Risk Management: Combines financial analysis with risk assessment techniques specific to retail environments. Students learn about financial planning, cost control, investment evaluation, and risk mitigation strategies tailored for retail businesses.
Retail Policy & Regulatory Framework: Provides an overview of the legal and regulatory landscape governing retail operations in India and globally. Topics include consumer protection laws, trade regulations, taxation policies, and compliance requirements that affect retail business decisions.
Retail Ethics & Corporate Responsibility: Examines ethical dilemmas in retail management and promotes responsible business practices. Students engage with real-world scenarios to understand the importance of integrity, transparency, and corporate accountability in building trust with stakeholders.
Retail Entrepreneurship & Startups: Encourages innovation by exposing students to entrepreneurial frameworks and startup methodologies in the retail sector. The course includes ideation workshops, business model development, pitch preparation, and mentorship from successful entrepreneurs.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department believes that learning is most effective when it is experiential and applied. Our project-based learning approach integrates academic knowledge with real-world problem-solving, encouraging students to work collaboratively on meaningful challenges faced by actual retail organizations.
Mini-projects are assigned throughout the program to reinforce classroom concepts. These projects typically last 4-6 weeks and involve working in small teams of 3-5 students under faculty supervision. Projects may include market research studies, feasibility analyses for new product launches, store layout designs, or CRM implementation plans.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is a significant undertaking that allows students to explore a topic of personal interest within the field of retail management. Students select their projects based on faculty expertise and industry relevance, often aligning with ongoing research initiatives or current market trends.
Faculty mentors guide students through every stage of the project lifecycle—from initial idea generation and literature review to data collection, analysis, presentation, and final documentation. Regular progress meetings ensure that students stay on track and receive timely feedback to refine their work.
Projects are evaluated using a rubric that assesses critical thinking, creativity, technical competence, teamwork, communication skills, and adherence to ethical standards. Successful projects may be presented at industry conferences or published in academic journals, providing students with recognition and networking opportunities.