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Strategic Planning and Management in Retailing

April 26 - May 1, 2025 Babson Executive Conference Center

Strategic planning in retailing in a global retail marketplace

The global retail industry is continuing to evolve and become increasingly competitive. With technology, change in consumer behavior, globalization, and consolidation, a data-driven retail strategy is more important than ever. Retail leaders must focus on strategic management in retail and be data-driven to survive and thrive in the industry.

Strategic Planning and Management in Retailing helps you develop the effective strategies needed to lead a high-performing retail business.

Learn Essential Skills

  • Plan for strategic growth using productivity analysis and financial modeling, including a proprietary model for building a competitive advantage in retailing
  • Analyze and interpret consumer, competitive, and market research—and implement changes based on the data
  • Develop and implement enhanced merchandising management and assortment strategies

Who Should Attend

  • Senior retailers who are seeking new methods for growing successful brick-and-mortar stores.

Program Details

What You Will Learn

Discover the best methods to win in the highly competitive retail sector.

Topics include:

  • Core concepts and determinants of high-performance retailing
    • Eight Ways to Win in Retailing: a proprietary model for building a competitive advantage in retailing
  • Retail financial and productivity strategy and measures of high-performance retailing
    • How to apply multiple strategic and financial models to your business
    • Merchandise planning and analysis
    • Frameworks for integrating your business
  • Strategic market planning, research, and implementation
    • Evaluation and discussion of relevant retail case studies developed by the program faculty

The program is excellent in the mix of theory, case studies, and practical application of business strategy. The knowledge and expertise of the faculty is very evident.

Colin Peters, General Manager
Swan Valley Consumers Cooperative Ltd.

Meet the Faculty

You will be learning from world-renowned faculty who bring relevant experience and research into the classroom. They have taught, mentored, and grown hundreds of successful retail leaders.

Faculty for Strategic Planning and Management in Retailing include:

  • Lawrence J. Ring (pdf), Chancellor Professor of Business, and Executive MBA Alumni Distinguished Professor of Executive Education, Emeritus, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, College of William & Mary
  • Dr. Ronald L. Hess, Jr. (pdf), Lawrence J. Ring Executive MBA Associate Professor of Business, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, College of William & Mary
  • John S. Strong (pdf), CSX Professor of Finance and Economics, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, College of William & Mary

We continually update program content to best serve participant needs. Faculty may vary.

Program Discounts

Babson alumni enjoy discounts on Babson Executive Education programs.

Discounts also are available for Babson Executive Education’s certificate enrollees, members of our Corporate Partner program, and past participants.

Please email Tammy Gage for more information on discounts.

Deadlines

Register by March 27, 2025: Program Cost $ 8,550

Complete registration by January 27, 2025 and enjoy a special discount: Program Cost $ 7,950

What Makes Babson Executive Education Different?

Babson Executive Education works with organizations and professionals around the world to turn ideas and challenges into opportunities through entrepreneurial education and corporate leadership training programs. Through teaching entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial leadership, Babson cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset that is the basis for many of the world’s most innovative businesses and leaders.  

Our executive leadership education development programs, managerial training programs, and seminars for entrepreneurship are about more than theory; they’re about action and equipping you with the practical tools and strategies necessary to have an immediate impact on your organization or business including executive presence training. 

The Beauty Wars: Ulta Vs Sephora

The Beauty Wars: Ulta Vs Sephora

By Professor Ron Hess, Associate Professor of Marketing, and Lauren Cunningham

The rivalry between Ulta and Sephora has become one of the most intense in all of retailing. There has never been a more competitive time in beauty retailing. In order to continue to thrive, Ulta and Sephora must continue to implement innovative retail approaches to enhance customer loyalty and maintain future growth.

What is included in the program fee?
The program fee includes your tuition and program materials. In most cases, meals during the program are included. Some programs include accommodations. Travel and personal expenses are not included (such as alcoholic beverages consumed with meals, telephone, and other incidentals).

What accommodations are available, and what if I need to arrive earlier or stay later?
Please check the webpage for the program you are attending for information regarding what accommodations are included in your program fee.

Rooms are at the Babson Executive Conference Center, where the program will take place. They are not dorms.

If you wish to arrive before the program begins or extend your stay, please email Reservations or call +1-781-239-5816 to check rates and availability. Guests are responsible for the cost of extra nights.

Check-in time: 4 p.m.

Check-out time: 11 a.m.

Amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, fitness center, billiards, campus walking trails, dining room, lounge, and 24-hour access to a beverage break station.

What should I do if I have dietary restrictions?
We are happy to help make accommodations for all dietary needs. Our food options allow for most food restrictions. Please let your program manager know if you have specific needs, once you have registered.

What should I wear?
Business casual is appropriate for classes and activities at the Babson Executive Conference Center. As classroom temperatures can vary, we suggest layered clothing.

What is the closest airport?

Boston Logan International Airport is the closest airport to Babson College (approximately 15 miles from the center). Travel times can vary based on the time of day.

What is the best way to get to the conference center from the airport?
The best way to get to the conference center/college would be to use a Ride app, arrange for a private car/van service, or take a taxi. There are commuter rail and subway stations nearby as well, but, private transportation between stations and Babson College is required.

Car Services
Wellesley Carriage—A local Wellesley company (shared or private van/car service available)

GO Boston Shuttle—Use promotional code: Babson (shared or private van service available)

Knight’s Airport Limousine—Use Group code: BABSON (private car or private van service only, good for groups of three to 10)

Taxis
Taxis are available at each terminal of Boston Logan International Airport. The cost is approximately $60–$100 USD per trip, and it will take 30–60 minutes to travel to/from Babson depending on traffic and tolls.

Local Taxis
Veterans Taxi
+1-781-449-8294

Wellesley Transportation Service
+1-781-235-2200

MBTA Commuter Rail
The closest commuter rail stations are Wellesley Hills and Route 128/Westwood. Private transportation is needed between stations and Babson College.

MBTA Subway
The closest subway station is WOODLAND T on the Green Line. Private transportation is needed between the station and Babson College.

When is payment due and what types of payment do you accept?
For in-person programs, payment is due in full 60 days prior to the start date of the program.

If you register for a program with an early registration rate, payment is due by the early registration date. Please check the webpage for the program you are attending for the early registration date.

We accept credit card, check, or wire transfer payments.

Payment plan options are available for our in-person courses for individuals. For more details, please reach out to Tammy Gage at tgage@babson.edu or +1-781-239-4443.

Do you offer discounts?
Discounts on Babson Executive Education courses are available for the following:

  • Alumni of Babson College (undergraduate or graduate)
  • Members of our Corporate Partner program
  • Parents of current Babson students
  • Groups of three or more registering at the same time
  • Babson Executive Education’s certificate enrollees*
  • Past participants of Babson Executive Education programs

Please email Tammy Gage at tgage@babson.edu for more information and for discount codes before registering. In addition, please note that discounts cannot be combined.

*Excludes Founder’s Finance

What will I receive upon completion of the program?
Each program participant receives a certificate of completion. We invite participants to add the program to their LinkedIn profile. Note that a certificate will not be provided if there is insufficient evidence of participation.

Do you have translation for non-English speaking participants?
We do not offer translation in our programs. Although we do not require the TOEFL, all Babson Executive Education programs are taught in English, so it is a prerequisite that you speak, read, and write English proficiently.

What type of visa do international travelers need, and will you provide a visa invitation letter?
International travelers will need to obtain a B-1 temporary business travel visa. Once you have registered and paid in full, contact the program manager to provide you with a visa invitation letter.

What is your cancellation policy?
Registration changes must be requested in writing to Babson Executive Education. Please see the schedule below for details about refunds, cancellations, substitutions, and transfers:

  • If requested 30 days or more prior to the program start date for in-person programs:
    • Cancellations receive a 100% refund
    • Substitutions* are subject to a $250 administration fee
    • One-Time Transfer* subject to a $250 Admin­istration Fee (must be utilized within a one-year period)
  • 14–29 days prior to the program start date for in-person programs:
    • Cancellations receive 50% Refund Provided
    • Substitutions* subject to a $250 Admin­istration Fee
    • One-Time Transfers* are not allowed
  • 13 days or fewer prior to the program start date for in-person programs:
    • Cancellations do not receive a refund
    • Substitutions* are not allowed
    • One-Time Transfers* are not allowed

*Substitutions and transfers are subject to approval to ensure that participants and programs are suitable.

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READY TO TALK NOW?

Contact:
Tammy Gage

Business Development
+1-781-239-4443 
beeinfo@babson.edu