Top Business Schools for Retail and Consumer Goods 2024

Many students are considering an MBA in Retail, and that’s no surprise: retail and consumer goods are huge businesses. By some estimates the size of the global retail industry is nearly $25 trillion, driven by behemoths like Walmart, Home Depot, and Costco, as well as by e-commerce retailers such as Amazon and firms in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment. Of course, these and other organizations are heavy recruiters of MBA graduates.

Unlike for other industry areas, MBA programs don't often offer specialized curriculums in these industries; you’ll find very few business schools offering specialized MBAs in Retail or Consumer Goods. This is why most students who want to break into retail, out of necessity, pursue general MBA programs. And that’s not usually a big deal, because most of the management knowledge that’s important to the retail industry is generally included in the core MBA curriculum.

However, a few business schools do offer specialized MBAs in the Retail or Consumer Goods industry. These programs typically cover a number of topics, from consumer insights to buying and retail strategy. Some of these programs may often touch on specific sections of the industry, including fashion retailing or grocery.

Depending on their interests, students may also opt for relevant functional concentrations like operations management or marketing, and find networking opportunities through research centers and student clubs.

The list below includes top business schools offering MBA programs in Retail or Consumer Goods, as well as those that place well in the industry. These programs stand out not only for their specialized coursework but also for the connections they offer through internships, alumni networks, and industry partnerships. Graduates from these programs often find themselves well-prepared for leadership roles in retail giants, e-commerce powerhouses, and FMCG companies. With a growing emphasis on data analytics, supply chain management, and consumer behavior, the best Retail MBAs equip students with the skills needed to navigate the rapidly changing retail landscape.

As the retail industry continues to evolve, especially with the integration of digital technologies and omnichannel strategies, having an MBA tailored to these dynamics can be a significant advantage. Whether you’re aiming to climb the corporate ladder in a global retail company or aspiring to innovate within the sector, a specialized MBA in Retail can provide the knowledge and network to achieve your goals.

Madison, Wisconsin 22 Followers 46 Discussions

Wisconsin’s Marketing MBA program in Brand and Product Management gives students a solid background in marketing, consumer behavior, and other topics important to the sector. MBAs can leverage Wisconsin’s Center for Brand and Product Management to find internships and jobs. Electronic retailers like Amazon recruit from the school annually. 

View School Profile
West Lafayette, Indiana 20 Followers 82 Discussions
Purdue - Krannert

About mid-way between Chicago and Cincinnati, students at Purdue – Krannert are close to some of the biggest consumer goods companies in the Midwest, including Proctor & Gamble. Students take advantage of this proximity: Typically, between 20 and 30 percent of the school’s MBA classes go into the consumer goods industry.

View School Profile
London, United Kingdom 107 Followers 348 Discussions
Imperial

MBA and MSc students interested in retail can join the school’s FMCG, Luxury Goods and Retail Club, which investigates the inner workings of these popular fields. The school says that up to 14 percent of recent MBA classes have gone into the FMCG, luxury goods, and retail sectors. 

View School Profile
Oxford, United Kingdom 70 Followers 279 Discussions
Oxford - Saïd

Over the past few decades, Oxford's “Institute of Retail Management” has established itself as one of the premier retail-oriented research centers in the UK. For MBAs, the center offers a specialized eight-week elective course in retailing.

View School Profile
Toronto, Canada 89 Followers 114 Discussions
York - Schulich

Although it varies, between 5 and 15 percent of Schulich’s MBA graduates typically go into the retail, packaged goods, and consumer services industries each year. Recruiters include many large Canadian-based retailers and multinationals, like Sears Canada and Loblaws.

View School Profile
Minneapolis, Minnesota 21 Followers 31 Discussions
Minnesota - Carlson

Even though Carlson does not offer an MBA specialization in Retail or Consumer Goods, this doesn’t mean that the school doesn’t places in these industries: of the most recent MBA class, 10 percent went into the retail or consumer packaged goods sector.

View School Profile
East Lansing, Michigan 20 Followers 58 Discussions

Some 7 to 11 percent of Broad’s MBA classes of typically go into the consumer products industry. Graduates are regularly recruited by large firms like Sears and Mattel.

View School Profile
Columbus, Ohio 19 Followers 36 Discussions

The Fisher College of Business’ Nationwide Center for Advanced Customer Insights produces research that’s relevant to students interested in the retail or consumer goods sectors. In the past, grads have been snapped up by firms like Ascena Retail Group and Bath & Body Works.

View School Profile
Hyderabad, India 22 Followers 86 Discussions
ISB

India’s fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is huge, and is growing every year. ISB graduates are realizing this: in recent years, between five and nine percent of the school’s PGP grads went into the sector.

View School Profile
Bloomington, Indiana 41 Followers 82 Discussions
Indiana - Kelley

Through Kelley’s Center for Education and Research in Retailing, MBAs can get hooked up with potential employers and attend relevant events. Although the school does not offer an MBA specialization in retail or consumer goods, in recent years, upwards of 16 percent of the MBA classes have gone into these sectors.

View School Profile

Related MBA News

May 26, 2020

FIND MBA Updates Top 10 Lists by Specialization for 2020

May 26, 2020

More MBA News

Related Articles

MBAs in Retail Management: Adapting to the E-commerce Revolution

Aug 30, 2019

The advent of online retail has kicked off a jobs boom at companies like Amazon in the US and Alibaba in China. How are business schools responding?

More Articles

More Top 10 Lists

More Top 10 Lists

Related Discussions

Omnichannel MBA programme | Europe/UK
Apr 04, 2023  214  Duncan
South Africa MBA to Work in the Country
May 07, 2020  1,592  Inactive User
Why MBA and Retail business experience
Dec 09, 2019  709  Inactive User
MBA in Luxury or Retail
Nov 07, 2018  599  VUB_2018
MBA between Aarhus & Amsterdam university
Dec 04, 2016  560  indostuden...
SDA vs BRUNEL - Brand Management
May 02, 2016  555  maury
Retail Industry
Apr 23, 2015  554  racheldcos...
MBA in FMCG
Apr 13, 2015  966  Duncan
MBA Luxury China
Mar 30, 2015  599  Atlast3180
Bocconi
Mar 23, 2015  371  badux
MBA to help out in the family business
Feb 25, 2015  575  familymatt...
concentration in brand / product management
Feb 25, 2015  690  derevocsid
12 Years experience in Retail
Oct 30, 2014  772  120jabs
MBA for unemployed retail manager?
Oct 27, 2014  325  120jabs
Queries regarding Two year full time MBA programme
Oct 02, 2014  254  Inactive User
Best country in Europe?
Sep 01, 2014  518  bscheenaar...
Career Advice Needed !
Aug 27, 2014  219  badux
Warwick or Cass or Manchester
Jul 31, 2014  618  nuntida4ev...
MBA Italy - MIB vs MIP or something else?
Jul 09, 2014  881  ralph
Advice Needed: Purdue vs. Illinois vs. Wake Forest
Jun 03, 2014  601  Lloyd MA R...
MBA from Kellogg or Columbia
Oct 22, 2013  1,554  Crazy Love
700 GMAT but less work experience
Oct 04, 2013  348  Duncan
Which MBA program?
Apr 08, 2013  615  Duncan
RSM or EM Lyon for entrepreneurial retail?
Mar 26, 2013  1,028  Duncan
Are there MBAs in Fast Moving Consumer Goods?
Jan 09, 2013  1,157  Jawahar N

Go to FIND MBA Discussion Board

Advanced MBA Program Search
KEYWORDS (optional)
COUNTRY / REGION
SPECIALIZATION
LANGUAGE
PROGRAM TYPE
INTAKE
SHOW ONLY
AVERAGE GMAT
AVERAGE WORK EXPERIENCE
TUITION
DURATION