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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Business Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118176  Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Business Management 
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-04-22  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Business Management is to enable working professionals in retailing and allied disciplines to systematically undertake advanced reflection and development of contemporary thinking, practice and advanced research in retail business management. The design of this qualification will accommodate articulation possibilities for learners with a variety of management backgrounds and previously obtained qualifications. There are employees in the retail sector with Bachelor of Commerce and other related qualification who seek to improve their qualifications and progress to Master's and Doctoral Degree level but do not want to progress through the academic Honours Degree qualification route.

The qualification will widen the access of qualifying learners with Bachelors and allied qualifications that are not directly aligned to retailing such as Human Resources Management, Marketing, Accounting, Law and Operations Management to higher qualifications in retailing. The qualification also provides the learner with the flexibility to articulate within the retail industry into a wide variety of specialisations and to operate in other industries where retail is the eventual provider of products or services to the final consumer.

Upon completion of this qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Display the ability to understand, analyse, interrogate, synthesise and coherently present different sources of information and topics both locally and internationally within modern retail strategic management.
  • Apply knowledge acquisition strategies and problem-solving skills in e-commerce retailing by demonstrating a systematic understanding of contemporary theories, methods and techniques when applied to particular unfamiliar, complex and abstract discipline problems.
  • Evaluate, interpret, research and contextualise information models, knowledge processes and production in modern retail business intelligence. Demonstrate the ability to match, adapt and apply procedures, processes and techniques to an individual's professional context.
  • Critically reflect, review, evaluate and manage effective and ethical practices, processes, roles and value systems and apply creative responses, insights and solutions to different retail financial contexts.
  • Take full responsibility for the execution of applied retail research as an individual and group member, demonstrate the ability to critically review, gather, synthesize, process and evaluate data in different retail contexts including the ability to reflect, interpret, communicate and present research results and own learning effectively to a range of audiences in an academic, professional or occupational context.

    Rationale:
    During 2018, the institution was intensively involved in the development process of the South African Retail Industry Sector Skills Plan for 2018-2020 (SSP) on behalf of the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA). Analysis of the SSP indicated that the primary drivers of change in the sector included technological advances, critical skills and occupations and expanding access that impacts tertiary education. A substantial need was therefore clearly identified to provide a qualification that facilitates advanced reflection and development of contemporary and dynamic thinking, practice and research in retail business management while also expanding access to allied disciplines in and beyond the industry.

    Alignment of the structure of the qualification modules with the critical and scarce skills and alignment with scarce occupations identified in the retail sectoral skills plan forms the basis of the qualification with focus at NQF Level 8-10 in the following multidisciplinary and professional areas:
  • Corporate general managers.
  • Operations managers (non-manufacturing).
  • E-skills and occupations as applied to retailing.
  • Business training managers.
  • International retailing.

    The qualification provides a natural progression from the Advanced Diploma in Retail Business Management to postgraduate studies in the retail field. It will also prepare the learner for further postgraduate studies through deepening their knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies and practices in wholesale and retail operations management. Also, the qualification will offer opportunities to professionals in allied disciplines that are not directly related to retail operations to develop their skills and expertise in retail business management. The qualification also targets more diverse and emerging occupations and professions that are aligned to retailing reflects and accommodate the need to develop qualifying learners who can operate and effectively function in this era of the 4th industrial revolution that is shaped and dictated upon by disruptive technologies.

    This qualification aims to provide learners who want to continue with their studies in retail business management with a sound knowledge and skills base to be successful owners and senior operational managers of retail businesses, retail buyer managers, planner managers, retail distribution centre and logistics managers. The design of this qualification accommodates articulation possibilities for learners with a variety of management backgrounds and previously obtained qualifications. There are employees in the retail sector with Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) and other related qualifications who want to improve their qualifications and progress to Master's and Doctoral degree level but do not want to progress through the academic Honours Degree qualification route.

    This qualification also provides the learner with the flexibility to articulate within the retail industry into a wide variety of specialisations and to operate in other industries where retail is the ultimate provider of product or service to the final consumer. Qualifying learners will be technologically adept both in the ability to use technology and in their capacity to apply knowledge to real-life issues. Learners will be employable because they have a solid disciplinary knowledge base and the capabilities to apply this knowledge. The learners will be socially responsive in the sense that they will be aware of the important social issues in South Africa and be able to apply their knowledge and skills to address social needs. Furthermore, the learners will be innovative in their thinking and actions and be environmentally conscious.

    The qualification has also been formulated in such a manner that it reflects the latest workplace needs of the retail industry, to ensure that qualifying learners will have accessibility to be employed within the industry. The qualification may be acquired in the traditional way of formal study as well as in the workplace, either through block release programmes or by Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution's Department of Retail Business Management accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of the education and academic practice. It acknowledges that all learning has value and accepts the challenge posed by the assessment of prior learning and awards credits that are aligned with Faculty qualifications to promote lifelong learning.

    The purpose of the institution's RPL policy, which directs the Faculty's RPL procedures, is to recognise prior learning to provide access to qualifications, grant advanced placement in qualifications and grant credits for modules on the principles and processes that serve as a basis for departmental RPL practices.

    The Department follows the institution's RPL Policy which requires the formation of a departmental RPL Committee to review RPL applications. The Committee compromises of at least three appropriate members in a Department, including an Advisor, Assessor and Moderator. An adviser acts as a facilitator between the RPL role players or as an evidence facilitator who may or may not be the HOD.

    This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of relevant prior learning and prior experience. Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied on an individual basis and in terms of the guidelines, processes as detailed above and policy on RPL as approved by the institution.

    RPL for the qualification can be considered for:
  • Access to the qualification based on the applicant not meeting the entry-level requirements.
  • Advanced Standing refers to instances in which candidates may be exempted from one or more components of a qualification.

    Evidence that may be taken into account by the department based on an individual application would be a combination of the following aspects:
  • An acceptable portfolio of evidence of experience and knowledge in a specific area.
  • Examples of work and product assessment that meet the requirements for a specific subject.
  • Documents from work completed by the applicant that demonstrates adequate proficiency.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma, NQF Level 7 in a related field.
    Or
  • Bachelor's Degree, NQF Level 7 or equivalent qualification.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Technology, NQF Level 7 or equivalent qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Applied Strategic Management in Retailing, 24 Credits.
  • E-Commerce for Retailing, 24 Credits.
  • Business Intelligence for Retailing, 24 Credits.
  • Retail Finance Strategy, 24 Credits.
  • Advanced Research Methods, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Display the ability to understand, analyse, interrogate, synthesise and coherently present different sources of information and topics both locally and internationally within modern retail strategic management.
    2. Apply knowledge acquisition strategies and problem-solving skills in e-commerce retailing by demonstrating a systematic understanding of contemporary theories, methods and techniques when applied to particular unfamiliar, complex and abstract discipline problems.
    3. Evaluate, interpret, research and contextualize information models, knowledge processes and production in modern retail business intelligence.
    4. Match, adapt and apply procedures, processes and techniques to an individual's professional context.
    5. Critically reflect, review, evaluate and manage effective and ethical practices, processes, roles and value systems and apply creative responses, insights and solutions to different retail financial contexts.
    6. Take full responsibility for the execution of applied retail research as an individual and group member.
    7. Critically review, gather, synthesise, process and evaluate data in different retail contexts.
    8. Reflect, interpret, communicate and present research results and own learning effectively to a range of audiences in an academic, professional or occupational context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Forecast and anticipate the new retail formats and how they impact retail businesses.
  • Evaluate business formats that are on the decline to ensure that investments in these are reduced.
  • Review how the various functions of retailing are being affected by the changing retail environment as a result of disruptive technologies.
  • Consolidate and implement suitable generic counter retail strategies that will ensure the survival and sustainability of retail business under threat from these new retail formats.
  • Evaluate the potential of growth using multiplication, acquisitions and franchising.
  • Consider the suitability, complexity and impact that an internationalisation strategy would offer a retail business.
  • Demonstrate an awareness and comprehension of key positioning approaches for the retail business relative to the adopted competitive advantages.
  • Develop new retail strategies that are aligned to the changing purchasing habits of consumers.
  • Identify new market segments that are attractive and possess long term profitability potential.
  • Analyse the competitive structure of the retail industry and its impact on the business.
  • Prepare response strategies based on competitor strategies.
  • Conduct research and collect competitive information on the competitive behaviours within the retail sector.
  • Formulate strategies based on the process of deciding on the best course of action for accomplishing organisational objectives and hence achieving organisational purpose.
  • Implement strategy based on the organisation's organisational structure, human and financial resources.
  • Evaluate the strategy to ensure that the organisational strategy, as well as its implementation, meets the organisational objectives.
  • Discuss the nature of control and the control process within the context of strategic retailing.
  • Analyse different approaches to control and their value within strategic processes.
  • Design basic control systems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Forecast and anticipate the forces that drive e-commerce development.
  • Review how the inter-disciplinary nature of e-commerce is affecting the various functions of retailing.
  • Forecast future trends in e-commerce.
  • Develop a framework for an e-commerce platform within a retail business.
  • Use the various building blocks of e-commerce to develop a sound business model.
  • Contextualise the influence of the various functions of e-commerce on business functions.
  • Consider the suitability, complexity and impact that an e-commerce strategy would offer a retail business.
  • Appreciate the changing dynamics within the sector with specific reference to the influence of e-commerce.
  • Discuss the management challenges related to the online retail industry.
  • Reflect upon the new value chain within the e-commerce context.
  • Grasp how the pillars of retailing can be used to model e-commerce strategies.
  • Identify various types of online shoppers and their online shopping behaviour.
  • Analyse how e-commerce-based consumer decision-making processes have affected merchandising strategies.
  • Identify online consumer communities and their influence on the brand equity of retail businesses.
  • Develop strategies to remedy e-commerce resistant consumer behaviours.
  • Conduct research and collect competitive information on online consumers to establish future behaviours.
  • Formulate basic online communication strategies.
  • Use the mainstream social media platforms to engage with online consumers.
  • Compare and contrast online promotional strategies.
  • Critique the scope for transforming brand relationships with retail customers.
  • Understand the influence of user-generated content on retail brand equity.
  • Understand the diverse nature of the e-commerce environment and its implications for strategic planning.
  • Select appropriate retail and marketing strategies to target new market segments within an online domain.
  • Differentiate strategies specific to multi-channel marketing for an omni-channel retailer.
  • Identify key future directions and conditions in the connected technological world.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Explain and analyse what is meant by data analytics, data mining, business intelligence and big data.
  • Apply and coherently analyse how and why developments in computing, data availability, and data science methodologies are enabling organizations to adopt a data-driven approach to decisions and operations.
  • Apply the criteria and concepts aligned to the process of data analytics, including the six steps of the Cross-Industry Standardised Process for Data Mining.
  • Apply and delineate the best practices and pitfalls of managing data analytics projects.
  • Explain and distinguish between the fundamental principles of data science and business analytics that form the basis for data mining processes, algorithms, and systems.
  • Analyse users and uses of big data within a business, marketing and retail management context.
  • Explain and critically analyse the application of data at the operational, tactical and strategic level in different retail contexts.
  • Develop a framework for business intelligence within a retail business context.
  • Use the various building blocks of a chosen business intelligence framework to develop a sound analytics model.
  • Explain and analyse the role and application of data warehouses in supporting decision making.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Scrutinise coherently the process and design principles in dimensional modelling through real-world cases.
  • Explain and critically analyse principles of online analytical processing (OLAP) and applications of OLAP in a retail context.
  • Apply and delineate the principles of data integration as highlighted in extract, load, transfer (ETL) principles of data quality management.
  • Apply design and development principles as applicable to business intelligence application.
  • Prepare, visualise, analyse and interpret data using basic appropriate statistical techniques.
  • Use a supplied data mining package to visualise and explore data patterns for basic predictive modelling.
  • Apply the theoretical knowledge in terms of the structuring, managing and analytical manipulation of data acquired to address real-world projects in a chosen retail company.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Interpret financial accounting concepts and principles and components of financial statements.
  • Analyse financial reporting by groups of companies and interpret relevant ratios, identify risks and recommend the appropriate course of action.
  • Analyse and interpret financial statements and assess financial discrepancy elements.
  • Explain and critically analyse the necessity of financial accounting standards and reasons for regulating them.
  • Interpret the conceptual framework of financial reporting within a retail industry context.
  • Interpret and apply the procedures and processes relevant to the retail industry as indicated within International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
  • Apply and delineate the features, requirements and expectations of private investors versus public investors.
  • Explain and distinguish between the different features and use of sources of funding as applied within a retail context.
  • Evaluate covenants and other financing conditions required by lenders concerning conditions affecting financing.
  • Assess and evaluate financial decisions for investing in equities and projects.
  • Interpret the procedures and processes relevant to budgeting and budgetary control as applied at different managerial levels within a retail context.
  • Analyse and interpret working capital management strategies and structures used in a retail context.
  • Explain and analyse capital structure and cost of capital theories and apply principles as synthesized from theories to different retail contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Understand the nature of research relevant to Retail Business Management and related fields of professional practice.
  • Apply standard aspects of research design- such as investigation, description and explanation - and of the research process - to plan an integrated, inquiry-based project.
  • Locate, evaluate and select information from a range of current, relevant sources to compile a brief literature perspective.
  • Identify an authentic, practice-based research problem for an integrated inquiry-based research project, with guidance from a Lecturer/Supervisor.
  • Formulate a clear and concise research problem statement relevant to the topic with guidance from a Lecturer/Supervisor.
  • Generate research question(s), aims and objectives for the integrated research project based on criteria and guidelines relevant to the field of study, with guidance from a Lecturer/Supervisor.
  • Propose appropriate research methods and techniques for the integrated research project that are relevant to Retail Business Management such as qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods; sampling techniques; generating primary and secondary data; basic data analysis.
  • Prepare and present an integrated research proposal in the form of a poster, a written report, a presentation, or a mix of these, with guidance from a Lecturer/Supervisor.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Draw selectively and critically on the published work of various scholars and professional practitioners in the area of specialisation, demonstrating an ability to analyse complex and/or abstract ideas and apply them creatively to the research problem/topic.
  • Demonstrate an awareness and comprehension of key current research (theory and practice) and debates related to the problem/topic under study, through coherent arguments and insights.
  • Use Harvard referencing techniques according to institutional guidelines for both in-text and bibliographic referencing.
  • Use and defend the appropriateness of, selected data collection and analysis methods and techniques for investigating the complexities of the research problem/topic.
  • Integrate results from different data collection methods, or different data sets, to provide a coherent, complete representation of data analysis.
  • Analyse, interpret and make coherent judgments about data concerning the research problem/topic, in critically reflexive ways, and derive creative and insightful conclusions.
  • Develop coherent, arguments, based on research results and concerning key ideas in the literature perspectives presented to support conclusions in the research report.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Participate in scheduled discussions with the Lecturer/Supervisor concerning the management and execution of the integrated research project and act on feedback to ensure the rigour of the process and validity and reliability of the results.
  • Present the research findings and conclusions, in verbal, written and/or visual form, and/or as designed products/artefacts, to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Adhere to institutional policies and requirements in terms of ethical considerations and plagiarism.
  • Identify possible ethical issues related to data collection and analysis and suggest ways to address these with approval from the relevant parties.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The overall assessment strategy of this qualification is based on continuous assessment in keeping with institutional policy and requirements and will consist of formative and summative assessment methods. The institutional assessment policy and practices promote constructive alignment of the learning outcomes, learner-centred learning activities and assessment tasks pitched against the appropriate South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Level Descriptors of the level associated with each subject in the curriculum. Assessment practices will be fair, reliable and valid. Assessment is aligned with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.

    Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing learner success and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their learning and to improve their levels of accountability and time management. Formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study.

    Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing the learner's attainment against the learning outcomes of the qualification and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements. Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was benchmarked against two international qualifications from the United States of America and India.

    United States of America:
    The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (School of Distance Education) offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Management (PGDRM). The MIT qualification emphasises skills development in strategic management, marketing, supply management, product and brand management, retail operations, merchandising, and personnel management that are unique to the retail industry. Elements of the MIT qualification will form part of the South African qualification and these are topics such as brand management and strategic marketing.

    India:
    Amity University offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Management (PGDRM). The qualification covers customer relations management, management principles & practices, retail accounting & finance, and retail marketing and organisational behaviour, retail supply chain management, and visual merchandising & space management. The qualification covers important concepts, practices, and trends in the subject area. The elements of this qualification will form part of the South African qualification and these are topics such as Accounting, Finance and Retail Marketing and so on.

    The modules in the international qualifications do not differ substantially from the modules in the South African qualification. Furthermore, the purpose and outcomes of these international qualifications are favourably aligned with the Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Business Management. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Business Management and Administration Honours, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Retail Business Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.