Retail and Consumer Studies
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
Where do students work after graduation?
Where do students work after 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?
| 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?
| 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?
| 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 (he/him) can assist you with
- Major and career exploration
- Internship planning
- Job searching
- Interview prep and practice
- Grad school planning and more...
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