Become an outstanding manager in the innovative growth sector of retail
This nationally renowned course will provide you with a comprehensive vision of management, as well as an in-depth grounding in retail. As you increase your understanding of how a retail business operates and is managed, we bring you the most strategic elements for you to innovate and undertake in this rapidly changing technological sector.
With the apprenticeship you stay in constant contact with the company to implement and express your managerial potential.
When you enroll on this programme, you will benefit from the support of a highly active alumni network, and from the long-standing reputation of the Bachelor ECAL in the retail sector.
This degree opens doors in the job market by preparing you to quickly take on operational, and subsequently managerial, responsibilities in one of the most dynamic sectors of the French economy. It offers many career prospects with great potential, including roles such as Department/Area Manager, Assistant Store Manager, Junior Buyer and Brand Development Manager.
Like 50% of our graduates, you can also decide to continue your studies by specializing in job positions associated with distribution such as digital marketing, supply chain, purchasing or join the Grande Ecole program to approach management.
Why join this programme ?
- A programme and degree with an exceptional reputation in the retail industry
- An outstanding employment rate on graduation: 63% before the end of their course; 100% of graduates at work have permanent employment contracts and find the position within 6 months upon graduation.
- A vocational training programme that alternates between theory and practice.
- A high level of expertise in new retail channels such as e-commerce and drive-through outlets.
- A highly active network of 3,500 graduates.
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By 2022, 25% of global retail sales will be made over the Internet, and increasingly from smartphones and other mobile devices.
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The buying process has been completely disrupted by social media and price comparison websites. Otherwise, stores must reinvent themselves to create shopping and socializing experiences.
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Supply channels and the logistics chain also have to adapt: traditional means of payment are being gradually replaced by mobile and contactless systems.
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Retail has never had to deal with so many changes at once, and companies need managers who are open to innovation and technology.
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With ECAL, you will study innovations in the sector with the objective of anticipating changes and best meeting customer expectations.
Curriculum
A 440-hour course on our Rouen campus which strengthens your initial bac + 2 training, with the objective of providing you with the skills and benchmarks necessary for your future professional or further study.
In a distribution and trade sector facing profound changes in terms of consumer expectations, consumption patterns and sales channels, the course is structured around 3 themes:
1. New trends in distribution and new technologies at the service of customer relations:
- E-commerce Technology applied to the back office
- Communication and digital
- Consumer studies applied to distribution
2. Strength of entrepreneurship, strategic thinking in the service of creativity and innovation:
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- Business strategy
- Strategic marketing
- Seminar on innovation and new store and service concepts
- Business takeover and project management
3. Solid management bases and managerial skills:
- Management control
- Social legislation
- Management IT, Excel, B.O, …
- English
- Personal development and career objective
Professional experience
Gain work experience with ECAL
The key benefit of this programme is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the business world throughout the course. Thanks to this constant exposure during your studies, you are ready to make a speedy transition to the world of work once you have your degree under your belt!
Internships
You integrate the ECAL bachelor while financing it as part of an apprenticeship contract, and you complete your apprenticeship training (3 weeks in a company / 1 week at the school). Without the apprenticeship, you can join the 3rd year in parallel admission with the initial students of the ECAL program and complete a 4-month end-of-study internship.
“The Company takeover and project management” module
This module involves simulating the strategic repositioning of a business. You carry out an analysis and make recommendations for growth areas to guarantee the company’s viability and growth.
Company visits
These tours allow you to discover the operational and sales techniques adopted by different companies (including purchasing centres, logistics facilities, wholesale markets and manufacturing and processing companies) and learn about the unique features of each type of retail store (department stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets, large specialised stores and convenience stores).
The pedagogical innovation module
You will discover the creators of innovative projects, in France and in Europe, and study the key phases of their commercial strategy and the innovations put into their network of stores and online commerce.
You are interested in new trends in society that are changing commercial codes such as short-circuit local purchases, the second life of the product, local logistics and the issue of the last mile.
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12 weeks in France during the 1st year
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16 weeks in France or abroad during the 2nd year
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24 weeks in France or abroad during the 3rd year
Careers
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65% of students sign an employment contract before the end of their studies.
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95% of graduates find a job within 3 months.
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80% of the students start with a salary between 28K€ and 35K€ per year.
(Source: 2020 graduate survey)
Some position examples:
- Department manager
- Area Manager
- Assistant store manager
- Director of a drive
- Junior buyer
- Specialized sales executive, in charge of supplier / distributor relations
- Private label product manager
- Junior Category Manager
- Coordinator of a store network
- Head of brand development
The network of partner companies
ECAL graduates work in companies such as:
Alinéa, Andros, Auchan, Brico Dépôt, But, Casino, Castorama, Centers E.Leclerc, Conforama, Cultura, Décathlon, Galeries Lafayette, Grand Frais, Groupe Carrefour, Kiabi, Leroy Merlin, Les Mousquetaires, Lidl, Metro, Monoprix, Printemps , Promocash, Sephora, Simply Market, Stockomani, Système U, Toys’R’Us, Truffaut …
Admission requirements
Two/three-year higher education degree plus 6 months’ experience in the retail sector
Applications
Complete the application form available online at http://apply.neoma-bs.fr
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to an admission session.
One session is held each month.
Application fee: € 80
Latest news
For more information, contact our international team:

Grégory LEVASSEUR
Rouen campusKey figures
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95% of graduates find a job within 3 months
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65% of students find employment before graduation
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Between 28K€ and 35K€ the starting salary for 80% students
Practical information
Ranking
1 st rank
2020-2021 “Eduniversal” Best Bachelors in Negociation, Sales, Trade, Distribution