Diploma in Retail Management: Course, Syllabus, College, Admission, Salary

• Updated on  16 Jul, 2025 by Uma Iyer

A Diploma in Retail Management is a Three-year undergraduate course that imparts the skills and knowledge required to excel in the world of retail. The course helps in building a strong foundation in retail management areas such as customer service, merchandising, sales methods, shop operations, inventory management, supply chain management, and marketing. The course also provides knowledge about current trends in e-commerce, consumer behavior, and digital retailing.

 

The eligibility criteria include having passed the 10+2 examination or any other equivalent examination from a recognized board with a minimum of 50-60% marks. The Diploma in Retail Management course fees are in the range of INR 8,000 to INR 1,05,000 per year in colleges offering the course through online mode and on campus.

 

The Indian Institute of Skill Development and Training, Nelson Business School, IGNOU, and N.L Dalmia are a few of the top colleges offering a Diploma in Retail Management online course, while Kerala Agricultural University, NMIMS, and Swami Devi Dyal group of professional Institutions are a few colleges that offer the course in offline mode. The Diploma holders can get job roles as Retail Manager, Merchandise Manager, Department Manager, Brand Manager, Image Promoter with salaries ranging from INR 2 LPA- INR 7 LPA.

 

Table of Contents

  1. Diploma in Retail Management Course Highlights
  2. What is a Diploma in Retail Management?
  3. Why study a Diploma in Retail Management?
  4. Who should pursue a Diploma in Retail Management?
  5. Diploma in Retail Management Eligibility Criteria
  6. Diploma in Retail Management Colleges in India
  7. Diploma in Retail Management Admission Process
  8. Diploma in Retail Management Syllabus
  9. Diploma in Retail Management Jobs and Salary
  10. Diploma in Retail Management Vs BBA Retail Management
  11. Diploma in Retail Management FAQs

 

Diploma in Retail Management Course Highlights

The highlights of the course are summarised in the table below

Details

Particulars

Course Name

Diploma in Retail Management

Course Level

Undergraduate

Duration

1 or 2 years

Course Type

Full-time/Part-time

Admission Process

Merit-based/ Interview

Eligibility Criteria

A minimum of 50 % in 10 or 10+2 from any stream or equivalent examination depending on the college.

Course Fees

INR 8000 to INR 1,05,000

Colleges

The Indian Institute of Skill Development and Training, Nelson Business School, IGNOU, N.L Dalmia, Kerala Agricultural University, NMIMS, Swami Devi Dyal group of Professional Institutions

Job Profiles

Retail Manager, Merchandise Manager, Department Manager, Brand Manager, Image Promoter

Average Salary in India

INR 2 LPA - 7 LPA

 

What is a Diploma in Retail Management?

The Diploma in Retail Management is an undergraduate course that is pursued after 10 or 10+2 examination, depending on the college offering the course. This Diploma course can be pursued online or offline as per your choice.

 

The course introduces entrepreneurship and management from a retail perspective. The Diploma focuses on the selling and distribution of products to customers in specific vending points and helps develop Management skills to get hired in the growing field of Retail Management.

 

Why study a Diploma in Retail Management?

The Diploma course equips you with practical skills and industry knowledge to advance your career in retail operations, merchandising, and marketing. It offers a competitive edge and opens diverse job opportunities in the fast-growing retail sector. The benefits and reasons for pursuing this course are stated below:

  • Get to learn various Retail skills: Customer service, Inventory control, Sales techniques, Visual merchandising, Store operations, Retail marketing.
  • Learn important skills such as Communication, Teamwork, Time management, and Problem-solving.
  • Opportunity to build a business in Retail Finance, Supply chain basics, Customer relationship management, Sales strategy sector.
  • Builds a foundation for higher studies such as BBA, MBA in Retail Management,
  • Gain Exposure to the global perspective of Retail Management.

 

Who should pursue a Diploma in Retail Management?

The individuals with the following qualities or who belong to the given categories are most suitable to pursue this course.

  • Those who aspire to pursue a BBA and an MBA in Retail Management.
  • Individuals aiming for roles in store management, merchandising, or sales operations.
  • Eager to learn about digital retailing, online marketplaces, and customer engagement through online platforms.
  • Have prior experience working in the retail industry, such as stores, retail, Sales, Merchandising, or customer service.
  • Have Creative ideas and are able to work on innovation regarding Retail.

 

Diploma in Retail Management Eligibility Criteria

The Eligibility Criteria for the Diploma course include:

  • Having passed 10+2 examination or any other equivalent examination from a recognized board with a minimum of 50-60% marks.
  • Few Colleges offer admission after passing class 10th from a recognized board with a minimum of 50-60% marks.

 

Diploma in Retail Management Colleges in India

Numerous colleges in India are offering a Diploma in Retail Management course and providing industry-oriented programs with strong placement opportunities in the retail sector. The details about the colleges are given below.

Colleges

Approx. Fees

The Indian Institute of Skill Development and Training

INR 8,000

Nelson Business School

INR 15,900

IGNOU

INR 10,800

National Council of Training Academy

INR 12,000

Kerala Agricultural University

INR 50,000

NMIMS

INR 1,05,000

 

Diploma in Retail Management Admission Process

The admission process for enrolling in a Diploma in Retail Management course is more or less the same in all the colleges. For reference, the steps for admission at Nelson Business School are as follows:

 

Step 1: Fill out the admission form available at the official website of Nelson Business School with accurate details such as Name, Number of marks in the qualifying exam, etc.

 

Step 2: Submit the required documents: Educational certificates from 10th grade to the most recently completed education, Valid ID proof (e.g., Aadhar card, passport), and a Passport-size photograph.

 

Step 3: Pay the fees through bank transfer, credit card, or debit card.

 

Step 4: The selected candidates will be called for the counseling and document verification process.

 

Step 5: Visit the campus for the document verification process.

 

Step 6: Once the document verification is completed, pay the course fee to confirm your admission.

 

Documents Required

  • 10th / 12th / Bachelor’s / Master’s marksheets
  • Transfer Certificates
  • Provisional Certificates
  • Government Issued Identity proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, etc)
  • Passport-size photographs
  • Digital Signature

 

Diploma in Retail Management Syllabus

The syllabus is similar in all colleges with minor variations. The Diploma in Retail Management syllabus of N.L. Dalmia of the Centre for Distance and Online Management Studies is given for your reference:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Principles and Practices of Management

Retail Store Operations

Marketing Management

Inventory and Supply Chain Management

Retail Management

E-Commerce and Omni-Channel

Sales and Distribution Management

Management

Merchandise Management

International Retailing and Global Expansion

 

Project

 

Diploma in Retail Management Jobs and Salary

The course opens opportunities for various roles in the retail sector and also provides the potential to earn higher with experience and specialization. The details of the Diploma in Retail Management jobs are given below:

Jobs

Experience

Salary

Retail Manager

2- 3years

INR 5 LPA- INR 9 LPA

Merchandise Manager

5 – 9 yrs

INR 10 LPA - INR 15 LPA

Brand Manager

5 - 10 yrs

INR 15 - INR 22 LPA

Department Manager

2 - 5 yrs

INR 3 LPA- INR 6 LPA

Image Consultant

2 - 5 yrs

INR 2 LPA - INR 10 LPA

 

Diploma in Retail Management Vs BBA Retail Management

Diploma in Retail Management suits individuals who want to enter the job market as freshers with the necessary retail skills. in contrast, BBA in Retail Management aims at a detail-oriented education including the subject of supply chain management, merchandizing, retail marketing, etc.

Aspect

Diploma Retail Management

BBA in Retail Management

Level

Diploma (Undergraduate, Short-term)

Bachelor's Degree (Undergraduate, 3 years)

Eligibility

10+2 (any stream)

10+2 (any stream, minimum 50%–60% aggregate, depending on college)

Duration

6 months to 1 year (sometimes up to 2 years)

3 years (full-time)

Curriculum Focus

Basics of retail operations, sales, merchandising, customer service, and inventory basics.

In-depth retail management, plus marketing, HR, supply chain, business communication, branding, customer relationship management, and analytics.

Depth & Scope

Covers fundamentals, prepares for entry-level roles

Covers fundamentals and advanced concepts; prepares for supervisory and managerial roles

Practical Exposure

Basic projects, a few internships may be available

Mandatory internships, field studies, project work, case studies

Career Opportunities

Store Assistant, Retail Sales Executive, Cashier, Floor Staff

Store Manager, Retail Analyst, Merchandise Manager, Supply Chain Executive, Retail Operations Manager

Salary Range (Starting)

INR 1.5–3 LPA

INR 3–6 LPA

Higher Studies

Eligible for BBA/BCom or related UG degree

Eligible for MBA, PGDM, MSc in Retail or related PG degrees

Industry Preference

Entry-level staff for retail outlets, stores, and malls

Management trainees, supervisors, analysts, operations managers

Skill Development

Customer service, basic sales, and communication

Leadership, analytics, inventory management, team management, advanced business & retail acumen

 

Diploma in Retail Management FAQs

Is a Diploma in Retail Management more practical or theory-based?

The Diploma in Retail Management is a balance of both. You’ll learn the theory in class—things like retail marketing and understanding customer behavior—but there’s also plenty of hands-on work. You’ll do projects and assignments that relate directly to real-world retail scenarios. Many institutes also include practical experiences like store visits or internships, which help you see how the concepts play out in actual retail settings.

What skills will I learn during the Diploma in Retail Management?

During the Diploma course, you’ll pick up a mix of technical and soft skills. On the technical side, you’ll learn about things like inventory management, sales tracking, and using retail software. On the softer side, you’ll improve your communication, customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. All of these are important for working successfully in retail.

Can I enroll in the Diploma in Retail Management after 12th?

Yes, Students of any stream, i.e., Science, Commerce or Arts who have qualified their 10+2 examination through a recognized board can join this program. The eligibility is usually that one should have passed 12th with at least 50 percent marks in aggregate but this can ever change and even institutes permit relaxation in reserved category.

Which course can I opt to pursue after the Diploma in Retail Management course?

Once you complete the diploma, you have a few options. You can jump straight into a job or continue your studies with degrees like a BBA or MBA in retail, marketing, or supply chain management. Some people also go for short-term certifications to specialize in areas like digital retail or store design. With experience, you could move up to roles like area manager or retail operations head. Basically, this diploma opens up a lot of career opportunities.

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