It’s an exciting time at the Kohl’s Department Stores Center for Retailing Excellence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Thirty students just returned from spending spring break in Hong Kong and Shanghai, completing a one credit course on international retailing. We asked Jerry O’Brien, the center’s director and Sarah Ackerman, president of the Student Retail Association to tell us about their trip and share what they learned about retailing in China.
UW-Madison has more than 1,200 students from China, more than from any other country, and its 70 Chinese faculty are believed to be the most at a single institution in the U.S. The university also boasts more than 25 projects, programs and partnerships involving UW-Madison and China. Tell us more about this relationship. What can be said about the importance of studying China as it relates to the future of the retail industry?
Yes, China and the UW have had a long standing relationship. As a matter of fact while we were there, the UW Madison Chancellor, Biddy Martin was traveling with a group to further develop the relationship.
As the country, where a majority of goods for U.S. retailers are sourced, it is critical that our students have an understanding of China in order to understand U.S retail. And the trip allowed our students to really develop a global view of the retailing industry.
The students’ enthusiasm for Chinese culture was evident as they detailed their experiences on the SOHE blog. They visited the Tian Tan Buddha statue, Victoria Harbor, and sampled the food from Hong Kong’s most popular restaurants. What can be said about your students’ eagerness for adventure? How does it relate to their future retail career?
Our students continually demonstrate an enthusiasm for new experiences and learnings. They really are fearless, rather than see obstacles they see opportunities. They are so open to gathering other view points and to rethinking paradigms they’ve lived with all their lives. This attitude will be a great advantage to them in their careers in retail. They see the global community as a huge opportunity not something to be feared and they are willing to look for new ways to do things.
What was significant about visiting Li & Fung Corporate Headquarters? How did learning about their retail operations contribute to the students’ curriculum?
Li and Fung is the premiere sourcing company in the world. They have a developed an operational model that is truly unique and really is global. The opportunity to visit their headquarters and hear from their leaders was invaluable. The discussions were so broadening. You could actually see the students thinking differently.
UW Students gather in the Li & Fung showrooms
What’s your most memorable experience from the trip?
I was actually thrilled to see the students grow. We spend a lot of time in class discussing globalization, and emerging markets. This trip brought all this to reality. It was amazing to see the students and how prepared they were to absorb the experience.
On a personal level, the history in China is amazing. We visited a 1,200 year old Buddhist temple that is still serving worshipers. That kind of history is mind boggling for those of us in the U.S.
The students climbed hundreds of steps to visit the Buddhist temple.
What role did Kohl’s Department Stores and your other corporate partners play in making this trip possible?
The Center would not exist with out all of our Corporate Partners. Kohl’s is amazingly generous in their support of our students. Kohl’s suggested we look into the trip. They funded the trip and helped us coordinate with Li and Fung.
Kohl’s simply provided a life changing opportunity for the students. We could not be more grateful. And all of our partners benefit from students who were afforded the opportunity to go on the trip.
Will you be returning to China with a new group of students in Spring 2011?
It’s too early to say for sure but it is certainly something we need to explore. The trip was amazingly valuable.
What’s next for the Kohl’s Department Stores Center for Retailing Excellence? Were you able to attend the NARMS Annual Conference last month?
We did in fact attend the NARMS conference. And our students were exposed to an aspect of the industry that get’s very little attention on our curriculum. NARMS was so generous in funding the trip for 12 of our students and allowing them to attend all of the educational and networking events. As is always our goal it proved to be a great way to expand our definition of retail and to open new opportunities for our students.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Our center is so fortunate to have a great list of partners providing educational and career opportunities for our students. We get to visit corporate headquarters, tour stores, and bring top leadership from each partner to campus to share their perspectives. Our partners should be proud of their contribution to the education of the next generation.
There is no more important endeavor than education.
Learn more about the Kohl’s Center for Retailing Excellence, and follow them on Twitter.
One Comment
Wow that sounds like an amazing trip to China! Looks like you and your students really learned a lot about foreign and international markets. It’s really an eye opener to see international markets and the huge role they play in the global market.
I hope you future trips and adventures go just as great, good luck!