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| FASHION ASSISTANTS have to look at a variety of aspects, from presentation of shop window and selling skills to managing department stores and loyalty programmes |
THE first outlet was launched in 1991 in a Mumbai suburb with only menswear. Cut to 2012, Shoppers Stop has 51 stores in 22 Indian cities, offering women’s and kidswear, home furnishings, books, makeup and a whole lot more. The retail giant has seven brands within its fold - Home Stop, Crossword, Mothercare, Clinique, MAC, ESTEE LAUDER, and, of course, Shoppers Stop, and in the next two years, the retail chain aims to open eight new stores per year. Now, it would take an army of retail savvy executives to keep pace with this scale of expansion!
In an attempt to make this happen, Shoppers Stop has collaborated with retail and management schools in various cities to offer a fashion retail management certificate course. The first batch will kick off in various institutes between April and August.
FAST FACTS
Programme: Fashion Retail Management certificate
Industry partner: Shoppers Stop
Institutes: 13 schools in Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Bhopal, Chennai
Eligibility: Class 12, Graduates of any stream
Course structure: 9 months classroom + 9 months internship at Shoppers Stop
Tuition fee: Rs 1 lakh (hostel not included)
Stipend: Rs. 9,000 during internship (9 months)
No of students: Carry vary from 20 to 60 per batch
Assured Placement: On successful completion absorbed by Shoppers Stop as Fashion Assistant (Grade II Level Entry)
Bond: Students need not sign any employment bond with Shoppers Stop on completion of course.
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The 18-months plus training for front office job profiles at Shoppers Stop readies candidates for any managerial job across the sector |
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Managing Fashion retail
Currently India has around 10 large retail companies, where products and brands are marketed to fashion conscious consumers in department stores, retail franchisees and other retail distribution channels. Products encompass all types – from apparel and jewellery to home furnishings and accessories, and job functions include sales, customer service and marketing responsibilities. So, if you have a keen interest in new products, fashion, aesthetics, and good people skills, this programme could be a stepping stone into retail.
Curriculum: Designed by IIMA, it aims to train candidates over a period of 18 months for front office job profiles at Shoppers Stop, graduating to take over any managerial position in Shoppers Stop or across the retail sector. Students will spend nine months in the classroom and nine months training at a Shoppers Stop outlet as a Trainee Fashion Assistant. Subject taught will include Visual Merchandising, Retail Selling Skills, Loyalty Programme, Fashion Product Knowledge and Store Operations.
Making the cut: The batch size may vary from 20 to 60 students across institutions. A written test will be used to shortlist candidates for a Group Discussion & personal interview with panellists from the institute and Shoppers Stop. Good communication skills, a keen interest in retail, negotiation and persuasion skills would give you an edge. According to Dr. Tarun Panwar, HOD, Retail Dept of Pearl Academy of Fashion, confidence, clarity of career goals and personal presentation, will also win you some brownie points. You must be below 25 years of age. Class 12 students and graduates are eligible.
How to apply: Visit the respective college website and download the application form, so on and so forth. If details are unavailable, log on to Shoppers Stop’s corporate website for details.
In the classroom and beyond: Students will spend nine months at the institute campus and nine months on the shop floor of a Shoppers Stop outlet. In the classroom, candidates will be exposed to all aspects of retail management from the business aspects and managing customers to the more creative areas like shop windows and presentation. To proceed to the next stage, they will need to give a quarterly test in which they must score an average of 50%. Shoppers Stop would extend an appointment letter, with a clearly defined Balance Score Card (BSC) on their stint as Trainee Fashion Assistant.
Earn while you learn: Candidates would be paid approximately Rs. 9000 per month during the training. The first two month’s stipend would be paid by way of cashback coupons issued by Shoppers Stop at the time of admission, which could be reimbursed during the first 2 months stint at Shoppers Stop. The next seven month’s stipend would be paid directly to the candidate by Shoppers Stop. Thus, the candidate earns back approximately 80 percent of the course fee by the end of 18 months, starting from the tenth month onwards.
First job: After nine months with a minimum of 50 percent on the BSC, trainees will be extended the certificate of course completion and will be confirmed as a Fashion Assistant. Salaries will start off at around Rs 1.8 lakh per annum plus incentives. Prof. Mahesh Soni of the Institute of Professional Education and Research (IPER) in Bhopal says, “To ensure that students can live within their means, Shoppers Stop aims to absorb them in their city of residence.”
Growth path
In around six to twelve months time, Fashion Assistants can opt for a management position by clearing an assessment. If successful, they will be groomed for a management position via a special programme called “Baby Kangaroo”. Here one is expected to work on varied projects, after which they will be reassessed after a year. On clearing this assessment, the candidate will qualify for the position of Department Manager, and the compensation ranges between Rs. 2.75 to 3 lakhs. Beyond this level, creativity, strategy, good ideas could help you get ahead!
