Diploma in Retail Business Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma in Retail Business Management is to provide learners with theoretical knowledge and applied competences to develop into successful managers and practitioners in retail chain stores, retail franchise stores, retail buyers and planners and retail distribution centres. This qualification also aims to equip learners with a sound knowledge and skills base to be successful owners of retail businesses.

The qualification will prepare learners with retail and commercially-related conceptual and contextual knowledge, insight and practical skills to develop as managers for a retail enterprise. The knowledge and skills acquired in this qualification, together with the retail work experience, will enable learners to progress to managerial levels in the retail industry. Practical competences inculcate the application of the various work-integrated learning modalities to ensure the vocational focus.

Rationale

There is a critical shortage of qualified managers in the retail industry. Retail Managers, retail buyers and retail Distribution Centre managers are the wholesale and retail seta and are critically scarce skills in the retail sector. This qualification focuses on the development of retail branch and store managers, DC managers, retail planners and buyer, trainee managers, shopping centre managers and learners could develop into a range of specialised jobs such as merchandise planners, layout specialist, regional managers, etc.

This qualification aims to provide learners with knowledge and skills in all areas of retail operations and management such as marketing, general management, logistics, buying, retail financial management, housekeeping to develop into successful managers and practitioners in these critical occupations. The retail industry employs approximately one million workers and is responsible for around 15% of the GDP of the country. There are more than 100 000 retail stores and distribution centres in the country of which a large number of managers employed in the sector do not have formal tertiary qualifications. This vocationally-oriented qualification responds to the national and regional needs for retail practitioners and professionals and serves as the basis for future professional development and academic advancement.

The qualification includes current knowledge, skills, attributes and dispositions to advance the objectives of the retail industry within the context of a growing economy. In developing this qualification, there was extensive consultation with stakeholders in the retail industry and discussions among the institutions of Technology. Inputs were given by Wholesale and Retail Regional Forum where most retailers are members. Inputs were received from the Wholesale and Retail Qualifications Body that represents leading retailers in the country. Consensus on the type, purpose, nature and the fundamental design of the qualification was reached among higher education institutions creating a consistent approach across SA for the national retailers in South Africa. Also, the retail management qualifications accredited by the Quality Council for Trade Occupations (QCTO) have been used as part of the national benchmarking exercise.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for this qualification means the process of identifying the knowledge and skills of a learner against the admission requirements of the qualification and for credits against a part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual, aimed at the individual needs of learners and is handled following the institutional RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at 5 and 6, totalling 366 Credits

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5, 126 Credits.

• Retail Operations Management 1, 30 Credits.
• Retailing 1, 30 Credits.
• Communication, 18 Credits.
• Retail Financial Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Business Computer Application, 24 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6, 240 Credits.

• Retail Operations Management 2, 30 Credits.
• Retailing, 30 Credits.
• Retail Financial Management 2, 24 Credits.
• Retail Logistics, 18 Credits.
• Business Law, 18 Credits.
• Retail Operations Management 3, 30 Credits.
• Retailing 3, 30 Credits.
• Retail Integrated Projects, 24 Credits.
• Retail Research Techniques, 18 Credits.
• Industrial Relations and Labour Law, 18 Credits.

1. Undertake the general management of a retail business by innovative thinking and inter-functional problem-solving.
2. Manage the marketing of a retail business using appropriate communication and research skills and strategies.
3. Manage the stock, logistics and supply chain of a retail business following prevalent practices for ethics and corporate governance.
4. Manage the human resources of a retail business attributing to the corporate values espoused by the industry.
5. Manage the in-store production processes in a retail business, ensuring the appropriate quality and best productivity standards.
6. Manage the finance and administration of a retail business by creating and using the appropriate information for decision making on profitability and sustainability.
7. Manage and conducting basic research on relevant problems in a retail business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Compile a workable business plan for the starting and operations of all the functions of an in-store and e-retail business that successfully responds to the needs of all relevant stakeholders.
• Compile a feasible business plan for a shopping centre to achieve optimum utilisation of the space, consumer satisfaction and profitability.
• Design an effective integrated basic strategic and functional tactical and operational management qualification for all the functions a retail business to ensure achievement of the objectives.
• Develop effective housekeeping, asset and image management system for a retail business that will ensure customer satisfaction and a risk-free business environment.
• Demonstrate an understanding and application of the principles of effective interpersonal and business communication in different forms on a professional level.
• Compile an effective plan for good stakeholder relations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and application of leadership in a retail business.
• Demonstrate the application of the concepts and principles of self-management.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal and statutory requirements relevant to a retail business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Develop a basic strategic and functional tactical marketing qualification for an in-store and e-retail business to demonstrate knowledge of the marketing director of the business.
• Correctly define the customer profiles of the target groups in terms of sound academic criteria to be used for the marketing strategy of a retail business.
• Plan a market research project to ensure the provision of the right market information and the use of the correct research methods.
• Correctly specify the nature, quantity, quality and time of products to be sold in a retail business.
• Plan a comprehensive integrated tactical and operational marketing qualification for a retail business.
• Correctly calculate the basic selling price of a product or service according to the price policy and strategy.
• Correctly apply the processes for selling products successfully to customers who visit the retail store.
• Develop an effective customer service strategy, policies, procedures and process.
• Compile an effective E-marketing strategy in support of traditional marketing actions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop an underlying strategic and functional tactical stock and logistics plan, which will demonstrate optimum functionality of the logistics function in a retail supply chain for an in-store and e-retail business.
• Design an effective operational stock control system, including ordering, receiving, storing and dispatching of stock through warehouses, stock rooms and sales areas.
• Compile a supplier sourcing and selection policy and procedure to ensure the right supply of prescribed products to the retail business at the required conditions.
• Determine the most effective and cost-efficient way of transporting products from the supplier to the business and from business to the customer.
• Correctly calculate the cost of products for gross profit determination on products purchased from national and international suppliers.
• Compile relevant buying negotiation strategies for acquiring products at the best possible conditions for the retail business.
• Compile workable strategies for the development of suppliers.
• Demonstrate the efficient allocation and distribution of stock to branches in support of the marketing qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop an appropriate basic strategic, functional tactical and operational human resources qualification addressing transformation and productivity in an in-store and e-retail work environment.
• Design a functional organisational structure and job descriptions for the personnel in a retail business.
• Correctly determine remuneration and working conditions for the positions in the retail business.
• Effectively conduct the recruitment and selection of the best learner for a vacancy through professional HR practices.
• Objectively evaluate the performance of the personnel through a performance appraisal system
• Specify relevant employment contract conditions for appointed staff.
• Correctly compile the induction and training needs of personnel towards full utilisation of potential and according to operational needs are identified, and workplace skills plan training plan that will sufficiently address the training needs of the retail business.
• Develop a disciplinary policy, procedure and code to ensure fair and consistent behaviour by the employer in cases of misconduct by personnel.
• Compile typical staff problems in the workplace that could impact on productivity are identified and plans to deal with the problems correctly.
• Develop and where possible, apply appropriate and lawful industrial relations policies, procedure and actions including grievances, retrenchments, recognition agreements, strikes, lockouts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Conduct an appropriate strategic plan for the production processes in a retail business.
• Compile a relevant annual tactical plan with production schedules and budgets for the production process in a retail store.
• Compile effective operational plans for the production processes in a retail store that will ensure required breakeven quantities, quality and productivity standards.
• Solve operational production effectively and identify problems correctly.
• Correctly apply scientific production planning techniques for decision making on scheduling and allocation of resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply a suitable financial system for an in-store and e-retail business that records all transactions and generates relevant financial reports is specified.
• Accurately calculate the costing and break-even point for a retail business.
• Accurately compile the relevant capital, income, expenses and cash budgets for a retail business.
• Correctly calculate the financial implications of discounts and shrinkage on the gross profit margins.
• Develop effective financial policies and procedure to deal with payments, cash handling, debtors, credit and stock for an in-store and e-retail business.
• Correctly compile an effective asset management qualification for recording, maintenance, buying, renting of fixed assets of a retail business.
• Demonstrate the correct use of computer software qualifications, including spreadsheets and word processing, to communicate and provide management information and to solve problems.
• Design effective and relevant financial and administrative procedures for an in-store and e-retail business.
• Compile a suitable investment plan and financing structure to secure long and short term capital for a retail business.
• Develop an effective mail and communication system for the business.
• Develop an effective record system for all relevant documentation of the business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Identify and formulate researchable problems by managers in a retail business.
• Correctly plan a necessary research process for an identified problem.
• Sufficiently conduct relevant basic research on an identified research problem through focus groups, primary observation surveys and individual interviews.
• Effectively communicate and present research outcomes on a research problem to relevant stakeholders.

Integrated Assessment

The formative assessment of the qualification aims at enhancing learner learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their learning and to improve their levels of personal accountability and time management. The formative assessment consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study. In this qualification, it will consist of a variety of tasks such as problem-solving individual and group assignments and projects, case studies and class discussions.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and aims at assessing learner's attainment against the learning outcomes of the qualification and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements. The summative assessments for this qualification will consist of written assessments in the form of written tests portfolio development and assignments conducted during and at the end of the academic year.

Integrated assessment often cuts across several subjects/modules of qualification and is aimed at the holistic development of learners and contributes to learner's personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive competence. Integrated assessment in this qualification will take place at every level including at the third year of study and learners will be assessed holistically using project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of the industry and field of study.