Overview
This applied course examines the operational systems required to move products from limited release to reliable, profitable retail scale. Students study retail formats, omnichannel strategy, store and digital operations, assortment planning, merchandising, category management, demand forecasting, inventory control, replenishment, warehousing, fulfilment, last-mile delivery, returns, and supplier coordination.
The course develops practical capability in unit economics, contribution margin, sell-through, stock turn, shrinkage, service levels, capacity planning, and operational performance measurement. Product scaling is addressed through minimum viable launches, pilot testing, production readiness, quality assurance, packaging, regulatory requirements, retail buyer expectations, channel conflict, and expansion sequencing. Customer experience, accessibility, sustainability, and responsible operational data use are integrated throughout applied audits, simulations, dashboards, and a final product-scaling plan.
Learning Outcomes
- Map an end-to-end retail process across physical, digital, fulfilment, returns, and supplier interfaces.
- Construct a basic demand forecast and inventory plan using relevant assumptions, service levels, and capacity constraints.
- Evaluate channel economics using contribution margin, sell-through, stock turn, fulfilment costs, and related performance indicators.
- Diagnose operational bottlenecks through store, e-commerce, inventory, and process evidence.
- Design a sequenced product launch calendar incorporating pilot testing, production readiness, quality assurance, compliance, and channel requirements.
- Synthesize operational data into a dashboard that supports responsible, evidence-based decision-making.
- Recommend scalable improvements that address customer experience, accessibility, sustainability, supplier coordination, and channel conflict.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Store or e-commerce operations audit | 15.00% |
| Assignment | Assortment and category management exercise | 15.00% |
| Test | Inventory and demand planning practical test | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Operations performance dashboard | 20.00% |
| Capstone | Product-scaling plan | 30.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
