Rewards and Challenges

What are the most rewarding and challenging elements of retail?

The most challenging element of retailing is having the opportunity to manage a multi-million dollar business as if it were your own. The most rewarding element is assisting people in their growth and development and playing a role in their successes. There is also the enjoyment of working as part of a team that is striving to achieve common goals – and being able to successfully meet the challenge.
--Jim MacLaughlin
Associate in Merchandising
Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences
Florida State University

Retail's most rewarding element is that you get a report card every day (through sales and profits estimates). You see tangible results on a daily basis and you can often relate those results to your individual contributions. The most challenging element is that it is very busy and requires a lot of hard work.
--Amanda Nicholson, Assistant Professor
Retailing Undergraduate Program Director
Retail Management and Design Technologies
Syracuse University

Most rewarding: immediate feedback on performance, opportunity for advancement, energy and excitement generated by the individuals who have a passion for the industry. Most challenging: time management.
--Theresa Williams, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Education and Research in Retailing
Kelley School of Business
Indiana University