Retailing and Logistics Management Notes
Subject Overview
Retailing and Logistics Management is the fourth Marketing elective — how retail businesses and the supply chains behind them are actually managed. You'll cover retail formats and the evolution of retail in India, planning and merchandise management, store staffing and layout/
Subject at a glance
4
Units
25
Topics
6
Credits
4
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
4 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Meaning and economic significance of retailing
- opportunities and types of retailers
- evolution of retail in India
- drivers of retail change and challenges to retail development
- 1. Entry: Low price, low status
- 2. Trading up: Better stores, more services
- 3. Vulnerability: High costs, high prices
- 4. New entrant: A low-cost rival appears
Study guide
This unit introduces retailing: its meaning and economic significance, opportunities and types of retailer, the evolution of retail in India, drivers of change and challenges to development. Visit a nearby supermarket and a kirana store and compare them.
- Food retailers
- general merchandise retailers
- non-store retail formats
- services retailing
- types of ownership
- sales forecasting for merchandise plans
- assortment planning
- finance and location strategy
Food retailers
Supermarkets, convenience stores, hypermarkets
General merchandise
Department stores, speciality stores, discount stores
Non-store
E-commerce, catalogues, vending
Services retail
Salons, banks, restaurants
Study guide
You study retail formats (food, general merchandise, non-store, services), ownership types, sales forecasting for merchandise plans, assortment planning, finance and location strategy. Learn the factors in choosing a store location.
- Recruiting
- selecting
- socialising and training store employees
- motivating and evaluating staff
- objectives of good store design
- store layout
- space planning and merchandise presentation techniques
Grid
Parallel aisles
Supermarkets, pharmacies
Racetrack (loop)
Main aisle loops the store
Department stores
Free-form
Fixtures in an open, flowing pattern
Boutiques, speciality stores
Study guide
You study store operations: recruiting, selecting, training and motivating store staff, good store design objectives, layout, space planning and merchandise presentation. Notice how stores use layout to guide customers.
- Objectives and types of logistics
- role of logistics in an economy
- objectives and types of inventory
- importance of inventory management
- types of inventory costs
- inventory performance measures
Transportation
Moving goods
Warehousing
Storing goods
Inventory management
Right stock at right time
Order processing
From order to delivery
Packaging and material handling
Study guide
You study logistics: its objectives and types, its role in the economy, inventory objectives and types, the importance of inventory management, inventory costs and performance measures. Link e-commerce delivery to logistics concepts.
Why Retailing and Logistics Management Matters
Retail and logistics are among India's fastest-growing sectors, with strong demand for graduates in store management, merchandising, supply chain and e-commerce operations.
How to Prepare for Retailing and Logistics Management
- Study how one retailer and one e-commerce company run their operations.
- Learn the types of retail formats with examples.
- Understand inventory measures such as turnover and stock-out.
Retailing and Logistics Management: Frequently Asked Questions
What is merchandising?
Merchandising is planning and presenting the right products in the right quantity, place and time to meet customer demand.
What is logistics?
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods, information and resources from the point of origin to the point of consumption.