The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments. Note that assignments are due based on North American eastern time (ET). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live.

The due dates for the assignments are noted in the Course Schedule below. Deadlines will be defined as 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, the last day of the lesson time frame, unless otherwise noted.

• Course Length: 16 weeks

Lesson 1: Retail Overview and Career Opportunities

Time frame:	Week 1
Readings:
Assignments:	Personal Introduction and Retail Career Interest Discussion due (initial post due 11:59 p.m. Thursday; comments to peers due 11:59 p.m. Sunday) Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lesson 1 Online Discussion. Optional: Watch Jacqueline Jackson's podcast and Mark Nachman's video.

Lesson 2: Retail Strategic Planning

Time frame:	Week 2
Readings:
Assignments:	Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lesson 2 Online Discussion. Team Formation due.

Lesson 3: Understanding Retail Customers

Time frame:	Week 3
Readings:
Assignments:	Extra Points: Lessons 1, 2, and 3 Current Events Discussion Forum due. Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lesson 3 Online Discussion. Optional: Watch Chelsea Filley's and Catherine Eisenbrandt's PODcasts

Lesson 4: Retail Competition in the United States and the Global Market

Time frame:	Week 4
Readings:
Assignments:	Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lesson 4 Online Discussion. Optional: Watch Stephanie Blackman's PODcast.

Lesson 5: Logistics and Supply Chain Management in the Retail Management Process

Time frame:	Week 5
Readings:
Assignments:	Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lesson 5 Online Discussion.

Lesson 6: Location Planning, Marketing Selection, and Retail Location Analysis

Time frame:	Week 6
Readings:
Assignments:	Team Project: Online Retail or Brick-and-Mortar—What Will Win? due. Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lesson 6 Online Discussion. Optional: Watch Mark Nachman's PODcast.

Lesson 7: Managing the Merchandise Planning Process, and Lesson 8: Buying, Handling, Merchandise Selections, Vendor Negotiation, and Vendor Control

Time frame:	Week 7
Readings:
Assignments:	Lesson 7 Merchandise Budget and Open-to-Buy Problems due. Lesson 8 Cash Discount Problems and GMROI due. Extra Points: Lessons 4–6 Current Events Discussion Forum due. Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lessons 7 and 8 Online Discussions.

Preparation for Midterm

Time frame:	Week 8
Readings:	None
Assignments:	Sample Exam I due.

Midterm

Time frame:	Week 9
Readings:	None
Assignments:	Take the Midterm: Good luck!

Lesson 9: Retail Pricing

Time frame:	Week 10
Readings:
Assignments:	Lesson 9 Merchandising Math Problems due. Extra Points: Lessons 7–9 Current Events Discussion Forum due. Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lesson 9 Online Discussion. Optional: Watch Jacqueline Jackson's PODcast.

Lesson 10: Store Layout and Design, and Lesson 11: Managing Store, Sustaining Marketing, Financial Management, and HR

Time frame:	Week 11
Readings:
Assignments:	Food for Thought due. Lesson 10 Why We Buy Questions due. Potential Extra Points: Participate in the Lessons 10 and 11 Online Discussions.

Lesson 11: CRM and Market Research

Time frame:	Week 12
Readings:
Assignments:	Potential Extra Points: Participate in the Lesson 12 Online Discussion.

Lesson 13: Retail Communication Mix and Lesson 14 Omnichannel, Customer Service, and Data

Time frame:	Week 13
Readings:
Assignments:	Extra Points: Lessons 10–14 Current Events Discussion Forum due. Potential Extra Points: Participate in Lesson 13 and 14 Online Discussions.

Preparation for Final Exam

Time frame:	Week 14
Readings:	None
Assignments:	Sample Exam II due.

Final Exam Week

Time frame:	Week 15
Readings:	None
Assignments:	Final Exam due. Extra Points: PODcast Reflection Paper due. Extra Points: Individual HBR due.