Retail and Consumer Studies

Merchandiser Amongst Clothing Inventory

About the Major

The Retail and Consumer Studies major prepares you for a wide variety of retail careers in both store locations and corporate settings. The curriculum includes coursework in design, business, communications as well as retail focused courses in consumer behavior, buying and visual merchandising.

Career Outcomes

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Where do students work after graduation?

Where do students work after graduation?

Job titles and employers for graduates reported within 6 months of graduation
Job Title Employer
Account Coordinator The Stable
Account Manager The Moscoe Group
Allocation Analyst Kohl's
Associate Buyer Target
Brand Specialist Kennedy Blue
Co Producer Fashion Week MN
Consumer Insights Analyst Portu Sunberg
Creative Design Intern Avenue C
Demand Forecast Analyst Best Buy
Digital Marketing Consultant Pops
E-Commerce Digital Coordinator Sisley-Paris
Fashion Stylist Stitch Fix
Home Furnishings Consultant Steinhafels
Inventory Analyst Target
Junior Stylist Wantable
Key Account Operator Kuehne + Nagel
Merchandise Coordinator JL Buchanan
Merchandise Specialist Buestem Brands
Merchant Analyst Best Buy
Personal Shopper Wedding Shoppe
Product Development Coordinator Kohl's
Product Lead and Key Leader Lululemon
Project Coordinator Target
Sales Coordinator JL Buchanan
Senior Stylist Bella Bridesmaid
Showroom Specialist Intersource
Space and Presentation Business Partner Target
Stylist Stitch Fix
Visual Merchandiser H&M

Where do students continue education after graduation?

Where do students continue education after graduation?

Programs and schools students enrolled in after graduation
Program School
Design and Merchandising Colorado State University
Divinity Bethel Seminary
French Coucou Minneapolis

Where students interned and gained experience during school

Where are alumni 5 years after graduation?

Where are alumni 5 years after graduation?

Sampling of job titles and employers 5 years after graduation
Job Title Employer
Account Coordinator Bell International Laboratories
Account Manager Tai Apparel
Account Manager The Moscoe Group
Account Manager Uncommon
Assistant Buyer I Ross Stores
Assistant Stylist Jared Ellner Styling Studio
Associate Buyer Bachman's
Associate Buyer Kohl's
Associate Buyer Target
Associate Manager Aritzia
Associate Manager of Production Gap
Associate Merchandiser Aeropostale
Category Management Analyst Buyers Support Group
Client Specialist Milan Laser Hair Removal
Commercial Account Executive SHI International
Contracts Administrator U.S. Bank
Demand Planning & Forecasting Analyst Best Buy
Design Coordinator The Kolter Group
Digital Media Specialist The Moscoe Group
Digital Project Manager MACRCOMM Inc
E- Commerce Trade Planning Lead General Mills
Founder INHOWSE Media
Human Resource Office Assistant City of Bloomington
Logistics Project Lead CEVA Logistics
Marketing Coordinator Pelle Windows and Doors, Pella Northland
Marketing Coordinator The Loupe
Merchandise Assistant Saks Off Fifth
Merchandise Specialist Bluestem Brands
Model Wehmann Models
Operations Specialist Redhawk Health Advisors
Prep Stylist Target
Product Development and Customer Account Manager Famous Products
Product Producer Target
Project Manager The Bernard Group
Regional Sales Director United Life Insurance Company
Retail Account Manager Resultati
Retail Account Manager The Bluebird Group
Retail and E-commerce Coordinator Sisley Paris
Retail Manager Shiseido
Senior Account Manager The Bluebird Group
Senior Account Manager The Bluebird Group
Senior Analyst, Client Services Ovative Group
Senior Business Partner Target
Senior Business Partner Target
Senior Customer Success Manager Levata
Senior Demand Planner Jellycat
Senior Financial Specialist Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
Senior Merchandise Specialist Target
Social Media Marketing Manager American Exchange Group
Social Program Manager JT Mega
Store Director Target
Tennis Professional Life Time
Thymes Brand Coordinator Curio Brands
Vendor Income Expert Target
Visual Merchandiser H&M

Where are alumni 10 years after graduation?

Where are alumni 10 years after graduation?

Sampling of job titles and employers 10 years after graduation
Job Title Employer
Account Manager Asmodee North America
Assistant Manager Nordstromrack
Assistant Merchandising Manager Bazara Trading
Brand Manager and Visual Manager Under Armour
Business Analyst Sweeney Connections
Business Partner Target
Commercial Lease Analyst Western National Group
Critical Care Registered Nurse Fairview Health Services
Ecommerce Marketing Manager Active Apparel Group
Executive Assistant China Tianying
Health Insurance Agent UnitedHealth Group
Healthcare Recruiter LeaderStat
Licensed Realtor Coldwell Banker Realty
Marketing Coordinator ARCA Recycling
Marketing Coordinator Revival house
Marketing Manager Target
Merchandise Assortment Planning Manager Lowe's
Merchandise Planner Eddie Bauer
Operations Consultant Sephora
Owner ENVME Clothing
Owner Slipworks
Planning Manager Kohl's
Product Coordinator ShopHQ
Program Operations Specialist University of Washington - Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Recruiting Coordinator Schwan's Home Delivery
Sales Manager The Creative Partners Group
Sales Team Manager Gucci
Senior Content & Site Merchandising Specialist Polaris
Senior Demand Planner Conagra Brands
Senior Manager of Digital Strategy and Growth CleanChoice Energy
Senior Product & Innovation Manager Made For Retail
Senior Retail Sales Expansion Manager Essor
Senior Solutions Specialist Target
Senior Talent Acquisition Manager Target
Store Director Target
Store Manager Gucci
Trends Insight Editor Kohl's
Visual Communication Manager Target

Full outcomes report including salary, locations, satisfaction, and more

Common Entry-Level Job Titles

  • Accounts Associate
  • Assistant Buyer
  • E-commerce Merchandiser
  • Marketing Specialist
  • Merchandising Analyst
  • Product Development Coordinator
  • Sales Representative
  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Store Manager
  • Visual Merchandiser

Top Employers

  • Anthropologie
  • Best Buy
  • Burlington Stores
  • Evine
  • JL Buchanan
  • Kohl's
  • Nordstrom
  • Stitch Fix
  • Target
  • The Moscoe Group

Types of Employers

  • Apparel/textile manufacturers
  • Creative agencies
  • E-commerce retailers
  • Fashion labels
  • Market research companies
  • Retail corporations/stores
  • Retail property management firms
  • Vendor management companies

Meet Your Career Consultant

Paul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul (he/him) can assist you with

  • Major and career exploration
  • Internship planning
  • Job searching
  • Interview prep and practice
  • Grad school planning and more...

Make an Appointment Paul's bio

Additional Resources

In addition to these resources we recommend the following strategies to locate more information about careers related to your major:

  • O*NET and Careerwise. These tools provide comprehensive information about a wide range of careers including typical duties, salaries, employment outlook, skills and interests.
  • Locate professional associations related to your major or career interests by conducting a Google Search on “(Name of major/career area/industry) professional associations.” Try these keywords: retail, merchandising, display, small business, buyer, visual
  • Get involved in one of the many industry-related student groups on campus. These groups provide links to experiences, guest speakers, and discussion with like-minded students.
  • Study Abroad Information for Retail and Consumer Studies