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Retail management students take on New York City

Behind-the-scenes on Fifth Avenue and SoHo offer unique learning opportunity for fourth-years
March 29, 2016

From art to culture and finance, New York City is internationally renowned for its influence on North America and the rest of the world. Each year, the Ted Rogers School of Retail Management selects 10 undergraduate students in their final year to go behind-the-scenes during the National Retail Federation's annual conference (external link) . Students meet with leaders in the retail industry and tour flagship stores in the SoHo shopping district. This year, the group was accompanied by Elizabeth Evans, associate dean, TRSM, and professor Mark Lee, whose industry connections helped facilitate store visits and networking events.

"This trip is an excellent opportunity for our students to gain a global perspective on retail," said Lee. "It allows students to physically see how different techniques are being implemented in retail and provides greater insight into future trends – this type of learning is not replicable from a textbook or lecture."

Students took a behind-the-scenes tour of Japanese retailer Uniqlo's Fifth Avenue flagship store and discovered cutting-edge retail trends that are not yet in the Canadian market. A Ryerson-exclusive SoHo tour was led by marketing and brand consultant Joanne Balles of Jackman Reinvents, a leading retail brand consultancy firm. Balles led the group through several innovative brick-and-mortar store concepts in the famous SoHo shopping district.

"The trip was an invaluable opportunity to learn about the innovative branding techniques of some of the world's leading retail companies," said Lara Keleshian, a fourth-year student. "As I approach graduation, I'm thinking more and more about my career and have been inspired for the future and the career pathways in my field."

The Ryerson students also participated in a networking event featuring members of the Retail Council of Canada, many of whom are managers and executives in Canadian retail. As the only students at the event, they had the opportunity to speak with industry leaders and service providers for the retail sector, such as startups and IT providers.

"I was impressed by the level of innovation on display at the stores in New York," said Cassie Hooper, a fourth-year student interested in a career in visual merchandising and design. "Not only has the trip influenced my aesthetic, but immersion in the field has furthered my understanding of three of the hottest topics in the retail industry: brick-and-mortar vs. online retailing; international retailing; and luxury retailing."

"Knowledge and experience gained through trips like these are not only limited to the select participants, but it carries forward to the community," said Evans. "Students return understanding the opportunities ahead of them in the field, the innovation thriving in their sector and what it takes to be in the forefront of the industry."

In the video below, fourth-year student Shanghavy Karunakaran and Associate Professor Mark Lee share their takeaways from the trip to NYC.

Inspiring Industry Leaders is a series by the Office of the Provost and Vice President Academic and Ryerson Today. Each story showcases the opportunities for student learning outside the traditional classroom. From internships to co-ops, conferences and industry travel – Ryerson students are gaining career-focused experience, enhancing their degree and discovering opportunities to make an impact in their field and on society.

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