MER 3600 - PRODUCT DEVLOPMNT AND MERCHANDISNG

credits: 3.0
Crosslisted/Same As: FSH 3600
Crosslisted/Same As (2): MGT 3600
Crosslisted/Same As (3): MKT 3600

FSH 3600-MER 3600-MGT 3600-MKT 3600. The global fashion industry, with an estimated sales volume of US $1.5 billion per year as of 2020, is based around a constant stream of new products. Will examine the process and strategies behind creating new products within fashion merchandising, across the full product development and launch cycle. Topics include planning, market research, consumer purchasing trend analysis, customer segmentation, concept generation, evaluation and testing, design and development, production and supply chain issues, and product launch. Will incorporate experiential learning strategies including case examples, guest speakers and contact with fashion industry professionals, and prepare students for real-world responsibility for operations and production work in the fashion industry. Objectives: The course aims to give students an introduction to basic concepts of product development within the fashion industry, from research and planning through product launch, using experiential learning strategies including case examples, guest speakers and contact with fashion industry professionals. A) To explain the stages of the fashion product development cycle, including product planning, development and product launch; B) Analyze consumer purchasing trends and preferences to inform fashion product planning; C) Describe the concepts of concept generation, evaluation and testing for fashion products; D) To evaluate fashion product design and production strategies; E) Analyze market performance based on industry metrics; F) To create a sample product development and launch plan as part of a case study. Method of Instruction: Lectures and class discussion, guest speakers, assigned readings and cases, field trips, and in-the-field hands on experiences / project based learning. Method of Evaluation: Assignments: Case studies, 30%; Exams / Quizzes, 20%; Group Facilitator, 20%; and Experiential Learning Project / Portfolio, 30%.

Prerequisite(s): MGT 2240 - PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT AND MER 3270 - FASHION MERCHANDISING: DOMESTIC, GLOBAL, AND OMNI (or) MGT 2240 - PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT and MGT 3270 - FASHION MERCHANDISING:DOMESTIC, GLOBAL, AND OMNI (or) FSH 3270 - FASHION MERCHANDISING: DOMESTIC, GLOBAL, AND OMNI and MGT 2240 - PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT