CRE Home - Center for Retailing Excellence - Sam M. Walton College of Business

The Center for Retailing Excellence provides a bridge between academics and industry for the development of future leaders.

SHOP: Finding and Converting Growth Opportunities with Shoppers The Center for Retailing Excellence in collaboration with MARS Advertising is privileged to present the 2013 spring conference SHOP: Finding and Converting Growth Opportunities with Shoppers, May 16th in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development. Keynote speakers include Stephen F. Quinn, EVP and chief marketing officer, Walmart U.S.; Fern Grant, EVP, strategic planning, MARS Advertising; and David Marcotte, SVP, retail insights, Kantar Retail. A panel presentation featuring Scott Huff, SVP, GMM Consumables, Walmart; Ashley Buchanan, SVP Snacks and Drinks, Walmart; Gary Severson, SVP and GMM Hardlines, Walmart; and Michelle Gloeckler, SVP Home, Walmart will be the feature of the afternoon. Registration is closed due to maximum capacity!

Social Networking and Dining Etiquette
The Center hosted the spring 2013 Social Networking and Dining Etiquette program in partnership with the Walton College Career Development Center on March 13. Twenty-three students participated in the program despite the scheduling challenges of mid-terms and spring break looming on the horizon the following week. The program has enjoyed tremendous success with demand historically outranking the seating availability. Our partners in career development have identified key elements of networking and formal dining that provide students better skills in communicating their accomplishments and the contributions they will make to an organization in any networking situation. We extend our appreciation to our industry associates who contributed their personal time to share advice and experience with our students: Nina Beckman, Unilever; John Brannan, Just Born; Steve Joplin, Acxiom; Amy Kihenia-Davis, Walmart; Paige Lee, Mead Johnson Nutrition; Katherine McGraw, SymphonyIRI Group; David Mullaly, Procter & Gamble; John Powell, SymphonyIRI Group; and Amanda Rosen, Saatchi & Saatchi X.

Walmart Saturday Morning Meeting

STORE Attends Walmart Saturday Morning Meeting
Members of STORE attended the Walmart Saturday Morning Meeting, March 9, 2013, as guests of Duncan Mac Naughton, executive vice president and chief merchandising and marketing officer, Walmart U.S.

Sue Sedberry, CROSSMARK STORE Host Sue Sedberry, Senior Director of Business Insights, CROSSMARK
On March 5th STORE hosted Sue Sedberry, senior director of business insights for CROSSMARK, a leading sales and marketing services company in the consumer goods industry that delivers growth solutions with exceptional service. Ms. Sedberry has extensive experience in consumer insights working with insights companies such as The Nielsen Company and SymphonyIRI Group. Thirty-seven students attended the presentation ranging in status from undergraduate students to doctoral candidates.

STORE Conducts Group Mentoring Program
In partnership with board member Erik Wolff, E-Wolff Sales Solution, STORE conducted the Group Mentoring Program on February 15th.Industry experts discussed the product path-to-purchase providing an overview of the multiple processes of creating and selling a consumer packaged good.

Ashley Taylor, Brent Rains and Steven Tait, Walmart

Walmart Presents Store Operations at STORE General Meeting
STORE welcomed Walmart leadership Ashley Taylor, vice president and regional general manager; Brent Rains, market manager, and Steven Tait, store manager on February 4th as presenters for the spring 2013 kick-off meeting focused on store operations. Ms. Taylor opened the meeting with a discussion on the unique characteristics of Walmart, a legacy of culture and heritage from founder Sam Walton that encompasses three basic beliefs: respect for individual; strive for excellence; and service to the customer.

Chad Brizedine, Procter & Gamble, Roberto Moscoso, STORE

Center Kicks off the One-to-One Mentoring Program
The Center kicked off the One-to-One mentoring program on January 29 with a mixer for mentors and mentees. Mentors for the spring 2013 program include Tim O'Brien, SymphonyIRI; Matt Parker, Idelle Labs; Chad Brizedine, Procter & Gamble; Erica Rogers, Nestle'; Jessica Hill, Saatchi & Saatchi X; Scott Danielson, IBM; and Michael Smith, The NPD Group. The One-to-One Mentoring Program is a component of the STORE requirements in level three as a more in-depth exploration of career choices. As of January 2013 seven students had attained eligibility for the program.