Project Management Fundamentals for Retail Professionals

Why Choose Garranto Academy for Your Project Management Training in Retail?

Garranto Academy offers industry-relevant training with real-world retail scenarios, expert instructors, and actionable insights.

Trusted by professionals across the retail sector, our course ensures practical learning and immediate impact on your day-to-day operations.

Course Overview:

This dynamic, hands-on course is designed for retail professionals aiming to build practical project management skills through immersive, real-world experiences. Participants will engage in simulations, design challenges, and agile activities to effectively manage retail projects with clarity, speed, and innovation. The course integrates traditional project management with modern approaches like Design Thinking, Agile methodologies, and AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gamma AI. Learners will tackle real-world scenarios—from managing marketing campaign chaos to resolving footfall challenges—while developing skills in conflict resolution using the Thomas-Kilmann model. The course culminates in a final group project pitch, simulating stakeholder engagement and reinforcing practical application, collaboration, and strategic thinking in the fast-paced retail environment.

What You'll Learn in Our Project Management Fundamentals Course for Retail Professionals?

Course Objectives:

• Develop practical project management skills tailored for the retail industry.

• Apply Design Thinking to solve real-world retail challenges like campaign chaos and footfall issues.

• Utilize Agile methodologies to drive innovation and adaptability in retail projects.

• Explore and integrate AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gamma AI in project workflows.

• Strengthen conflict resolution skills using the Thomas-Kilmann model.

• Gain hands-on experience through real-life simulations and retail case studies.

• Deliver a final group project pitch to simulate stakeholder engagement and decision-making.

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of computer and mobile applications (e.g., Microsoft

Excel, internet browsing, messaging apps)

• Relevant work experience – At least 1 year in a retail-related role (e.g.,

operations, merchandising, marketing).

• Language and digital literacy – Able to understand English and use basic

digital tools

Course Outlines:

Module 1: Wake-Up Call – Real Retail Mayhem

• Understand how real-life project failures unfold in a retail setting.

• Participate in a live scenario simulation of a mismanaged AEON retail

campaign.

• Debrief and analyze common pitfalls like unclear scope, poor

communication, and reactive planning.

Module 2: The 60-Minute Project Manager

• Gain a high-level overview of the 5 project lifecycle phases.

• Rotate across hands-on “project stations” to simulate each phase from

initiation to closing.

• Reflect on best practices for handling small retail projects with structure

and speed.

Module 3: Agile in the Aisles

• Learn how Agile works for fast-paced retail operations.

• Apply Agile sprints in a clearance campaign simulation.

• Conduct a team retrospective and discuss lessons on flexibility and speed.

Module 4: Ctrl + Shift + AI – Automate or Die

• Introduction to AI tools that reduce project admin and enhance insight:

• ChatGPT for drafting project comms

• Copilot for summarizing Excel data

• Gamma AI for instant pitch decks

• Rotate through live demo stations and reflect on practical use cases.

Module 5: Design Storm – Fix the Footfall

• Apply the 5 steps of Design Thinking to a real AEON problem: declining

footfall.

• Build customer personas, brainstorm solutions, and prototype ideas

visually.

• Present design concepts and receive feedback from peers.

Module 6: Retail Wars – Conflict in Action

• Understand conflict triggers in retail projects (e.g., HQ vs. Store

Operations).

• Use the Thomas-Kilmann conflict model to handle disagreements

productively.

• Participate in a role-play and feedback session to apply resolution

techniques.

Module 7: Final Pitch – Retail Reality Showdown

• Work in teams to design a real-world mini retail project (e.g., loyalty

program revamp, flash sale).

• Apply Agile, AI, Design Thinking, and stakeholder management strategies.

• Pitch to an “executive panel” with structured feedback and celebration.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this "Project Management Fundamentals for Retail Professionals" course, participants will:

• Understand the full project lifecycle in a retail context.

• Apply Agile and Design Thinking principles to accelerate outcomes.

• Use AI tools to save time and improve communication in projects.

• Resolve team conflicts using structured models.

• Collaboratively build and pitch a retail-focused project plan.

Key Benefits of Learning Project Management Fundamentals for Retail Professionals:

Gain essential project management skills tailored for retail environments, improving planning, execution, and results across store operations and sales campaigns.

Enhance team coordination, reduce operational inefficiencies, and deliver projects on time and within budget in fast-paced retail settings.

How Project Management Skills Can Improve Retail Operations?

Streamline complex retail projects with structured methodologies, ensuring consistency, quality, and improved customer experience.

Apply project management to boost store performance, align cross-functional teams, and drive strategic retail initiatives efficiently.