The Economic Engine That Powers Everyday Life
How do everyday products make it from the factory floor to your shopping cart—and why do some brands become household names while others disappear?
What you’ll learn
- Learn the terminology & strategies of the consumer products & retail industries.
- Understand the Quick Service Restaurant (“QSR”) space through a detailed case study.
- Review how consumer products manufacturers & retailers partner to deliver customer experiences.
- Identify the areas where manufacturers & retailers compete with each other.
- Become conversant in the emerging challenges & technologies impacting these industries.
- Learn how technology trends, such as AI, will shape the future of consumer products & retail.
- Understand the unique strengths, capabilities, and challenges of the off-price retail segment.
- Introduction to financial analysis.
- Introduction to key retail metrics.
- Learn retail pricing strategies.
- Refresher of marketing basics and how consumer products companies appeal to emotions.
- An overview of assortment planning, allocation, pricing, visual merchandising and omnichannel.
- Learn common retail store layouts.
Course Content
- Introduction & Goals –> 2 lectures • 8min.
- Understanding the Consumer Products Industry –> 4 lectures • 1hr.
- In Depth Analysis of the 4 Consumer Products Sub-Segments –> 5 lectures • 55min.
- Understanding Retail –> 8 lectures • 1hr 28min.
- Conclusion –> 1 lecture • 3min.
Requirements
How do everyday products make it from the factory floor to your shopping cart—and why do some brands become household names while others disappear?
In Unboxing Consumer Products & Retail, you’ll uncover the inner workings of the consumer products industry (think food and beverage, personal care, apparel, and household goods) and explore how these products are developed, marketed, sold, and restocked across retail channels. You’ll also learn the art and science behind retail including an overview of assortment planning, allocation, pricing, visual merchandising and omnichannel.
Whether you’re an aspiring buyer, merchandiser, marketer, or product manager—or just curious about the business behind the brands—this course will give you real-world insight into one of the most dynamic industries in the world.
What you’ll learn:
- How consumer products are categorized, developed, launched and marketed
- Case study on Chipotle Mexican Grill, to illustrate key concepts of the quick service restaurant segment
- The retail ecosystem: discount, specialty, online, off-price, and everything in between
- The roles of buyers, merchandisers, marketers, and supply chain teams
- Key retail strategies: pricing, assortment planning, allocation, and replenishment
- How loyalty programs, technology, and omnichannel trends are reshaping retail
- Case studies from top brands and retailers, with practical takeaways
- Explore the complex relationship between consumer products companies and retailers
- An introduction to financial ratio analysis to demonstrate how to interpret financial statements
- An introduction to retail math using some key performance indicators
You’ll build a solid foundation in the consumer products and retail industries—plus tools you can apply in business, interviews, or your own ventures.
No prior experience is required. Whether you’re a student, early-career professional, or entrepreneur, this course is designed to be both accessible and impactful.