EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF PROF. PRADHAN TO UrPERCENTILE ON RETAIL MANAGEMENT

Many of our subscribers were interested in joining a Retail Management Program . We took interview of Prof Swapna Pradhan, Faculty, Retail Management, Welingkar Institute of Management who is also author of book “Retailing Management: Text And Cases” (Published by  Tata McGraw-Hill).

We thanks Prof. Pradhan for her time for MBA aspirants  and her support and comments given to us are really motivating factor for us to continue with this work for MBA Aspirants.

Here is the Transcript of the Interview :

UrPercentile.com :  Kindly tell our subscribers  about the management program run by Welingkar in Retail Management field.

Prof S. Pradhan : Welingkar run three programs in the field of Retail Management.
PGDBM with a Retail specialisation ( 2 yr full time)
PGPRM - in association with Pantaloon Retail (I) Ltd ( 2 yr)
DRM - a one year part time programme

UrPercentile.com :  Kindly tell our subscribers about scope and future prospects of  MBA in Retail Management in India ?

Prof S. Pradhan : Tremendous scope as the industry is booming, and there are new entrants
like Reliance, Aditya Birla group, etc.  All need trained personnel. This demand is likely to increase further with the arrival of international giants like Wal-Mart, etc.


UrPercentile.com :  What is the course structure and duration of Retails Management program and how is it different from the normal PGDBA/ MBA. Is managing retail sector different from managing other sectors?

Prof S. Pradhan :  Managing the retail sector is different from the other fields, while it may look very glamorous, it is a lot of hard work.  However, every day is a new day in retail and a learning experience.  Very few sectors actually let you deal with the end consumer - retail is one of them and therefore the learning is tremendous.
The Retail programme is different from the regular MBA as it has Retail management subjects interspersed with regular General Mgmt subjects, across various trimesters.  Thus the student builds an understanding of various aspects of retail.  Projects done in each area help further the
understanding.


UrPercentile.com : What is a typical batch profile of Retail Management class. Is it true that students with commerce background have better chances of performing well in retail management?

Prof S. Pradhan :  The batch has a mixed profile, there are commerce students, BMS
students, engineers.  We also have a student with a psychology background. What is needed is an attitude and a keen interest for retail, the background is secondary.


UrPercentile.com :  Typically what is the eligibility criteria of Retail  Management program?

Prof S. Pradhan :  Students come thru’ a process of GD, PI and CAT/ CET scores are considered.


UrPercentile.com : Can you please tell us about typical job profile and  salary that a student can expect after doing program in retail Management.

Prof S. Pradhan : They typically start of as Management Trainees, and are on a training
programme for a period of 6 months to a year depending on the organization.  After that they move to areas for which they have shown an inclination for, however this is based on the company's evaluation of the student.

UrPercentile.com : Would you like to tell anything else to MBA aspirants  interested in Retail Management .

Prof S. Pradhan : Retail is on a growth trajectory, so a lot is being written about it.  Go for retail only if you have the attitude for it - it is a lot of hard work !!

UrPercentile.com : Thank You Prof Pradhan.