The Center for Retailing Innovation

For more than 40 years, Texas A&M University’s retailing center has connected students, faculty, and industry leaders to shape the future of commerce. As the first retailing center in a business school, we have evolved into the Center for Retailing Innovation, where marketing strategy, consumer insights, product and merchandising innovation, and emerging technologies meet.

Center Overview

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Center Overview

Group of students networking and smiling.

The Center for Retailing Innovation connects students, faculty, and industry leaders to design retail experiences customers love. We work with retailers, brands, technology providers, data firms, agencies, and other innovators to explore breakthrough merchandising strategies, next-generation marketing, and emerging technologies that make shopping more engaging, seamless, and personalized.

Students gain hands-on experience through real-world projects, competitions, and events that bring them face-to-face with decision-makers driving change in the industry. Industry partners benefit from fresh ideas, faculty expertise, and applied research that turns insight into measurable customer and business impact.
Together, we are shaping a retail future where innovation is grounded in delivering greater value to the customer.

Center History

Meet Our Team

The Center for Retailing Innovation is dedicated to the success of our students and partners. We’re here to connect, collaborate, and create impact in retail. Explore our work, meet our leaders, and discover partnership opportunities on our directory page.

Center Directory

Explore Programs

Student smiles while studying with friend.

Curriculum and Degree Tracks

Strategic Retailing Track coursework are well equipped for leadership roles in a retailing enterprise, with a particular focus on retail merchandising, marketing, digital commerce or omni-channel strategy.

BBA Marketing

Strategic Retailing Track

Corporate Partnerships

The Center for Retailing Innovation Corporate Advisory Board has been our key to success. The Center for Retailing Innovation is funded through sponsorship donations from participating retailers, brands, distributors, technology companies, marketing service providers, and research/consulting firms.

Corporate Board

M.B. Zale Leadership Scholars

Named for the innovative merchant, M.B. Zale, the Zale Leadership Scholar program is the leading undergraduate professional development program for top students in retailing at Mays Business School.

Learn More about our MB Zale leadership scholars

Retailing Summit 2025

Join us on March 20-21 at the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center! This premier thought leadership event for retailing industry professionals features two days of engaging talks, insightful panels, and networking with industry leaders, all focused on innovation in retailing and the latest in consumer insights.

Learn More and Register Today

Retailing students pose with company leaders.

M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture Series

The M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture Series highlights the role of innovation in the success of retail businesses. Established in 1998, this annual lecture series honors creative merchandising in today’s marketplace. The series also serves to recognize the late M.B. Zale as a legendary retailer, a visionary businessman and esteemed philanthropist.

Learn More about MB Zale Visionary merchant lecture series

NYC Retailing Trip

The Center for Retailing Innovation hosts an annual experiential, learning-based field trip to the heart of New York City. The trip includes a New York City Retail Market Visit and participation in the NRF Foundation Student Program.

NYC Retailing Trip

Private Brands – PLMA University Outreach Program

Join the premier private brand program for Texas A&M University students passionate about retail, manufacturing, and marketing. Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of store brands at the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) University Outreach Program held in Chicago annually.

Learn More about Private Brands – PLMA University Outreach Program

Professional Distinction in Retailing

Open to all majors, Professional Distinctions complement a student’s degree and provide tangible evidence of rigorous experiential preparation for a career in the specific career track. The Professional Distinction in Retailing is a semester-by-semester recognition, where students can earn a medal at graduation upon four semesters of distinction in retailing.

Professional Distinctions

Recruiting Opportunities

Recruit top talent and the next generation of retailing leaders at our Retailing Career Fairs. For corporate partners, the Center for Retailing Innovation can design strategic, customized on-campus engagement opportunities which can include guest speaking/lectures, student networking, informational presentations, Brand Days, competition judging, resume reviews/mock interviews and more.

Retailing Career Fair

Speed Networking Event

Student and company employees pose for a photo at event.

Student Retailing Association

The Student Retailing Association is one of the largest student organizations within Mays Business School. Open to all majors, the focus of SRA is to serve students who are passionate about pursuing careers within the retail industry.

Student Retailing Association

#UofNYFW – NY Fashion Week

Partnering with IMG College Licensing, retailing students have the opportunity to represent Texas A&M at NYFW: The Shows every September and February in New York City through a program called UofNYFW.

Learn More about our NY Fashion week

Retailing Competition: Spring 2025

Showcase your creative, analytical, and collaborative skills while solving real-world retail challenges! You’ll receive a prompt from our sponsor and work with your team to develop innovative solutions, presenting your findings to a panel of retail professionals.

Learn More about our Retailing Competition

Events

The Center for Retailing Innovation hosts multiple events throughout the academic year for students, industry partners and professionals, and faculty. We host a Retailing Summit, speed networking, etiquette dinners, retail road trips, community outreach programs, and more. Click the link below to look at our upcoming events.

View our Events Calendar

Give To The Center

Four Texas A&M HR students smiling and holding 1st place prize in the 2022 Purdue HR Case Competition.

The Center is bolstered by contributions from corporate partners and alumni who are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of retail professionals. The annual contributions from our corporate partners ensure that students can actively participate in our comprehensive retail program.

Give

Department

Department of Marketing

The Department of Marketing at Mays Business School is a distinguished leader in the field of marketing education and research. Our programs and curricula receive global recognition for their strength and continued contributions to the field of marketing. For more information visit the Department of Marketing website.

Marketing involves developing goods and services to satisfy customers’ needs and then making them available at the right places, at the right times and at competitive prices. Marketing also provides information to help customers decide whether specific goods and services will meet their needs.

Department of Marketing