“Retail is an exciting industry to work in and the new retail degree will combine general business knowledge with retail specific content, meaning students will be set up for a wide array of career opportunities, ranging from logistics to supply chain management to running multi-million dollar businesses,” Powell said.

“With global benchmarking, a best in class curriculum and wide spread industry support, I believe the new retail focused degree will strengthen New Zealand’s business offering in this highly competitive global economic environment.

Head of Massey’s College of Business, Professor Ted Zorn, said the search for an internationally respected scholar in retail studies to take up the Sir Stephen Tindall Chair in Retail Management has already begun.

“We are looking for someone who can build on our strong industry connections to develop a world class retail degree, someone who also has a demonstrated ability to lead a new academic program,” Zorn said.

The new professor will be tasked with laying the groundwork for launching a successful Bachelor of Retail and Business Management, including building industry support and establishing a research program that has relevance to the sector.

The degree will be aimed at those already employed in the retail industry who want to upskill, or secondary school leavers attracted to a professional career in the retail sector.

Key areas of study will include retail marketing, retail buying and planning, logistics and supply chain management, management information systems, human resources, retail strategy and entrepreneurship. An internship program in partnership with industry is also a key component of the proposed degree.