News

JCPenney has developed a student scholarship competition!!! There will be FIVE $1000 scholarships awarded form the results of this project.

The Miller Center works to prepare students for retail careers by providing numerous opportunities for them to learn about retailing. The 2009 summer retail management internship program organized by the Miller Center is a popular program that enhances the retail business experience of students as they head into their senior year. The training for the students has been exceptional with interns challenged with management, merchandising, marketing, sales and IT positions all within a retail setting. Interns are trained by retailers and coached to be part of the management team. As they grow and master the skills of management, they are continuously challenged with responsibility. By summer's end, many are making independent decisions that impact a store, or a category or a team of people! When they return to UF in the fall semester, they are more focused students. They have valuable business experiences to apply to their classes. They are determined to graduate and return to retailing! Read articles from the interns.

The David F. Miller Center for Retailing Education and Research conducted its 18th Retailing Smarter Symposium in Orlando June 26-26. With innovative speakers and new ways to explore opportunities, the Symposium offers a unique venue to retailers and students, helping them progress within the industry and survive the difficult economy through an open exchange of ideas.

This course gives students hands-on experience and an opportunity to make strategic, research-based decisions to find solutions for retailers. Sweetbay Supermarket, a 100+ Florida supermarket chain, was a recent participant in the projects.

Sam's Club was pleased to be able to provide scholarships to two UF students this year. The recipients, Bianca Hodges and Adam D'Augelli, were excited about the scholarships as it will help them to finish school and pursue their careers.

This spring, a group of retail bound senior Gators achieved the goals of the Walgreens Certificate in Retailing Leadership.

Office Depot sets the standard for merchandising by identifying a customer centric strategy. Steve Olsen, V.P. of Merchandising for the Supply Division, defined the company's approach to a category management framework and an active merchandising strategy that moves the company to grow market share during a challenging economic climate.

Students enjoy learning from the masters, as was the case when Pam Tope, Florida region president of Verizon Wireless, spoke to the Seminar Series class, sharing her vast experiences and thought processes during the wireless evolution.

Gator Patty Wade and Board Member, Ken Murphy of the Miller Center are both promoted to Vice President positions of Mattress Firm.

The 3rd Annual ACRA Charrette - hosted by the Miller Center
A Charrette is a real-world business competition; students in multi-disciplines across various universities work together intensely to reach a resolution for a challenge presented by a client. The 2009 ACRA Charrette challenge will be to develop a business plan and design a retail environment that embodies the brand image of a retail client and optimizes the opportunities that the retail client provides.

Dr. Bart Weitz, Director of the Miller Center for Retailing met with the Associate Dean of the Fundacao Getulio Vargas Center for Retailing Excellence, Juracy Parente. This meeting in early May marked the beginning of what will be a successful partnership between the two Centers.