The Business Associate program offers six options to allow graduates to achieve their specific career goals in the business industry.  In addition to the Fashion/Retail Merchandising Option, Hospitality & Tourism, Human Resource Associate, Interior Business Design, Marketing & Management and Photography/Media options are available to choose from.

The Business Associate Fashion/Retail Merchandising Option is a dynamic career. It’s for those who enjoy working in the exciting world of the merchandising industry. In this program students will learn how to analyze a market and determine what goods will best fit, and how to market those goods to the public.

And There's Plenty of Variety

The Fashion/Retail Merchandising option of the Business Associate program at Lake Area Tech provides theory and practical experience for the student. The program emphasizes instruction in product packaging, placement, promotions and pricing that will appeal to the target market and includes a strong business core.
Special attention is given to the role of the middleman, evaluation of customer needs, price determination, sales strategy, government regulations and the importance of the customer.

Who Can Build a Career in Fashion/Retail Merchandising?

Merchandisers move the product and convince consumers to make a purchase. Someone interested in the merchandising field should have an outgoing personality, a strong business sense, be enthusiastic and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.

Employment Opportunities

Fashion/Retail Merchandising is a growing career field. Graduates entering the work force will find a wide variety of employment opportunities as a sales, advertising, marketing, or purchasing manager, buyer and distributor.

Recommended Background Courses

Although not required, the following courses would be beneficial to this course of study prior to attending Lake Area Technical Institute: Communications, Business Courses, Business Law, Accounting, Marketing Education, Math, Psychology, Computers, English.