BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRONIC MERCHANDISING

DIVISION OF MERCHANDISING

SCHOOL OF MERCHANDISING AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

The University Curriculum Committee and Faculty Senate have approved a proposal by the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Merchandising.

This program is designed to meet a growing industry demand for merchandisers whose competencies address the unique requirements of merchandising in an electronic format. This "electronic merchandiser" operates in an environment that is distinctly different from merchandising in traditional retail and catalog formats. The "electronic merchandiser" must understand the basic elements of the merchandising process in addition to new competencies critical to electronic merchandising.

The normal merchandising process includes planning, developing, and presenting merchandise lines for identified target markets. It focuses on pricing, assortments, styling and timing. These elements are also essential for electronic merchandising, but the focus is different. Electronic merchandising operates in real time – 24/7 (twenty-four hours/seven days a week). When required competencies are compared between electronic merchandising and merchandising or home furnishings merchandising, it is clear that electronic merchandising focuses more on merchandising process and data analysis and less on product knowledge.

No new or additional resources are needed to implement the proposed degree program. Current UNT library resources, faculty, classrooms and existing courses will meet the requirement of the electronic merchandising undergraduate program.

In Texas there are nine undergraduate programs in merchandising. Of these nine programs, UNT ranks first in the number of students enrolled (Spring 2000 enrollment = 213 majors). Furthermore, in a national comparison of merchandising programs, UNT ranks 7^th in enrollment. This proposed undergraduate degree in "electronic merchandising" is the only one of its kind in Texas.

It is recommended that the Board of Regents endorse the proposed Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronic Merchandising for submission to the Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.