Retail Management: BTEC Level 3 Award

Pre-requisites
You must be over 16 to take this course and be educated to at least GCSE standard D-G or hold an NVQ at level 1, or a GNVQ Foundation Certificate.  Although not mandatory, some experience in this sector would be beneficial.
Qualification
BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Retail Management
Support and Benefits

Gain a nationally recognised qualification
Access to a dedicated tutor and student advisors to guide you through your studies
Comprehensive bibliographies and other resources supplied with course materials
 

















































Key Topics
There are six key topics within this course. To find out more please see below.
a) Developments in the Retail Sector
b) Understanding Business Principles in Retail
c) Customer Service in Retail
d) Visual Merchandising in Retail
e) Retail Marketing and Promotion
f) Impact of Technology in Retailing
a) Developments in the Retail Sector
The retail sector is large and varied, with retail businesses constantly adapting to social and economic change in order to meet customer needs. This has led to the evolution of a business sector that includes a wide range of different types of organisations, using many different approaches to the task of bringing goods and services to the customer. This unit examines how developments in the sector have encouraged the growth of different types of retail organisations and how these developments have impacted on the way they operate.
Understanding how external changes in the trading environment impact on retail businesses will show how it is essential for businesses to adapt to these changes for successful business performance. You will explore the key developments that have taken place in the sector and how retail organisations have responded to those changes. It is important that retailers anticipate change and that they are ready to maximise the opportunities that come with change.
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b) Understanding Business Principles in Retail
This unit offers an introduction to the basic business principles as they apply to the retail sector.
You will gain an understanding of how a retail business can use the information it gathers as part of its normal day-to-day business activities to monitor and control the business. This unit also shows how financial information is used to control a retail business and enable proactive rather than reactive management.
You will be introduced to some of the indicators that can be used to predict sales and help with business planning. Not all influences on a retail business are within its control but the business has to take them into account. Major influences will be studied and learners will understand why predicting business performance is so difficult.
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c) Customer Service in Retail
Good customer service is fundamental to the success of any retailer. When a customer receives poor customer service it is unlikely they will return to that outlet or retail organisation; when they receive quality customer service they will come back again and again, and encourage others to use that retailer. At the end of this unit learners will appreciate the significance of customer service to the retail organisation.
The purpose of this unit is to develop the learners’ knowledge of customer service and its value to retail organisations, their employers and their customers. They will study the different types of customer and their needs and expectations and why it is important that both internal and external customers are valued. They will learn the importance of clear communication with customers and colleagues and the role that team working plays in providing quality service to the customer.
The increase in the amount of consumer protection due to an increase in legislation is also examined, including how retailers use these laws often to form the basis of their own in-house policies.
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d) Visual Merchandising in Retail
The purpose of this unit is to give an understanding of how different types of retail outlets make the best use of space layout, use a variety of techniques to present goods and persuade customers to buy them.
Retailers use the space available so that customers can access the goods in comfort and are encouraged to buy. Effective visual merchandising also projects an image to the shopper that is drawn to the merchandise, its promotion and pricing.
The significance of window and internal displays, product positioning and effective promotion techniques are all important aspects of visual merchandising. Retailers today are aware of their power and influence on the shopper. This unit gives learners the opportunity to investigate and experience the techniques different retailers use, to entice customers into retail outlets and then focus their minds on what is available.
Visual merchandising techniques vary according to the type and size of a retail business and the goods presented for sale. The retailer has to consider many additional issues such as stock management, customer profile, finance and legislation, as well as creative and psychological factors.
Careful consideration needs to be given to the planning of how merchandise will be displayed to ensure customers are attracted to the product.  Learners will understand the techniques required when creating a plannogram, which has to present goods for maximum impact as well as enable customers to move naturally and freely from one area to another.
On completion of this unit, learners will understand how visual merchandising has to be attractive and appropriate, and use space cost-effectively to stimulate customers into buying.
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e) Retail Marketing and Promotion
This unit highlights the importance of marketing to a retail organisation’s business, growth, profitability and long-term survival. Knowledge of marketing and promotional techniques is essential for an understanding of successful retail trading.
Any business trying to sell goods or services needs to identify potential customers to ensure that the products or services it is trying to sell are the ones that customers want and are at a price that they are willing to pay. It is essential that customers are aware of what retailers have to offer. Using a ‘try-it-and-see’ approach for pricing products is a recipe for disaster; techniques need to be used to avoid costly mistakes in selling the wrong products at the wrong price. Good marketing and promotional techniques help ensure the health and wellbeing of a retail business and supports the sale of products. Retailers must research markets and customer needs to ensure that they can market and promote products and services appropriately to attract customers to the business.
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f) Impact of Technology in Retailing
Retailing in the UK is a highly dynamic and responsive business sector. As such it has readily and quickly taken advantage of the electronic age which, in turn, has significantly affected the way in which retailers are able to manage and plan their businesses. To gain a real understanding of modern retailing, learners need to appreciate how technology is allowing retailing giants to use superior information systems, volume buying power and sophisticated logistical systems to offer price savings, high standards of service and varied product choice for the customer.
Today almost every part of the retail business is affected by technology, even though many of these developments may not be immediately visible to customers. Technology is growing in importance as a competitive tool, enabling the production of better forecasts, improved control of inventory costs, and better communications between stores. This leads to improved management decision making and better planning.
Technology enables retailers to order electronically from suppliers, as well as to sell to customers in new ways. E-business, as well as online shopping, is transforming many retail operations. However, that e-business is much more than online shopping and includes the sharing of business information, the maintenance of business relationships and the conducting of business transactions by means of telecommunication networks.
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Course Code
M25
Hours of Study
300
Technical Requirements and Fees
There are no technical requirements, however, internet access is very beneficial. There is an Edexcel registration fee of £81.60, however, there are no exam fees.



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Outline
Each study unit has an assessment (a written assignment) which you must successfully complete. There are six assignments in total and all are set and assessed by ICS. The assessments are subject to Internal Verification by ICS and External Verification by Edexcel.