MSc in Economics and Business Administration - Commercial and Retail Management

The MSc in Commercial and Retail Management is based on the growing challenges faced by the consumer goods industry. It has been developed in close collaboration with prominent actors in the industry.

The degree programme prepares students for a career in the HQ functions of the consumer goods industry and it provides an understanding of the industry’s specific challenges, which paves the way for a faster climb up the career ladder.

During this programme you will acquire qualifications in areas such as retail strategy and innovation, consumer behaviour, business negotiations, pricing, performance management as well as range, category and brand management.

DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE VALUE CHAIN

Today, traditional retail trade is supplemented with e-commerce and various hybrids, and more and more communication takes place on social media. Companies must therefore be able to handle an omni-channel situation where a number of different sales and communication   channels must be optimised in relation to each other. In addition, the ability to handle big data is becoming increasingly important in the consumer goods industry. This has led to changes in the relationship between supplier and retailer. The supplier must increasingly consider the entire value chain right through to the consumer, while the retailer must structure its supplier relations with an eye for how to create value for the consumer.

The traditional division of the B2B and B2C markets is thus developing towards a much-needed B2B2C mind-set. The degree programme reflects this B2B2C mind-set as the courses Supplier-retailer relations management, Business negotiations and Consumer behaviour in a retail setting cover the entire value chain from supplier to consumer.

Furthermore, students will acquire competences within areas that have a particular focus on the consumer goods industry such as retail strategy and innovation, pricing, performance and margin management, stock and waste management as well as range, category, and brand management. Digital transformation and the use of big data will play a prominent role in the programme and will be present in many courses.

SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

Aarhus BSS hosts a rich and varied programme of activities for you as a student, both study-related and social. Our many student associations host events ranging from lectures and company events to career days and sports days, Friday bars, and celebrations, so there is plenty of scope for meeting and networking with like-minded people, discovering new areas of academic interest, and socialising with fellow students.

CAREERS

The degree programme prepares students for a career in various HQ functions in the consumer goods industry. Based on the value chain approach, students will be able to undertake many functions in either the supply or retail link of the value chain, especially within the consumer goods industry; from category manager or procurement manager to key account manager.

AARHUS BSS

Aarhus BSS (School of Business and Social Sciences) is one of the five faculties at Aarhus University. Aarhus BSS ranks among the largest business schools in Europe, encompassing both traditional business and social science disciplines in its broad academic portfolio. Aarhus BSS holds the distinguished AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS accreditations and is thus a Triple Crown School.

LEARNING IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT

At Aarhus BSS, we conduct research and teaching at the highest academic level. We provide our students with the exact knowledge, skills and experience that are essential for engaging in professional business activities in a global marketplace.

Our broad portfolio enables us to attract researchers, lecturers and students from all over the world. With their help, we have built an international environment that promotes the exchange of different academic and cultural views and fosters new experiences and friendships.

We encourage our students to take a semester abroad at one of the school’s approximately three hundred partner universities around the world. Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to expand your horizons academically, culturally and personally. It is also a great opportunity for you to acquire valuable international experience and qualifications that are in high demand in companies and organisations everywhere.