The retail industry is America’s largest private-sector employer, supporting 55 million first jobs, next chances and lifelong careers to people in every community. Our industry-recognized curriculum and exams build workplace readiness through training resources loaded with real-world examples and engaging, media-rich activities.
The NRF Foundation RISE Up Retail Industry Fundamentals certificate is an introductory course for learners developing workplace readiness skills for a first job or reentering the workforce.
Developed in collaboration with over 30 retailers, the curriculum helps your learners land high-demand jobs and get promoted in the retail industry and beyond. Earning the Retail Industry Fundamentals certificate validates their knowledge and skills to employers and builds workplace-readiness.
Through RISE Up’s Retail Industry Fundamentals training, students will develop basic employability and workplace skills, including
- Identifying the economic impact of the retail industry
- Recognizing the retail cycle; Developing basic customer service and math skills to conduct sales transactions
- Learning technology tools used in retail; Practicing interview skills
This course prepares students to take the NRF Retail Industry Fundamentals national certification exam. The cost of the course INCLUDES the cost of the national certification exam.
Course Outline:
Lesson 1: Welcome to Retail
- What is Retail
- Industry Spotlight: Dick’s Sporting Goods
- The Environmental Impact of Retail
- Career Spotlight: Store Leader, PetSmart
- The Retail Product Cycle
Lesson 2: Customer Service and Sales
- Customer Service Skills
- Career Spotlight: Senior Lead of Customer Service, Old Navy
- Sales Basics
Lesson 3: Retail Operations
- Retail Operations Basics
- Loss Prevention
- Armed Robberies
- Workplace Safety
- Career Spotlight: Director of Investigations, Kohl’s
- Workplace Safety
- Retail Operations: Understanding Profit
Lesson 4: Career Fundamentals
NOTE: All content in this module is excluded from the exam.
- Being Professional
- A Place for You in Retail
- Maintaining Your Network
- Virtual Interviews
- Your First Day on the Job
All necessary course materials are included.
Certification(s):
This course prepares students to take the NRF Retail Industry Fundamentals national certification exam. The cost of the course INCLUDES the cost of the national certification exam.
The untimed exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions delivered in 3 parts:
- Part 1: 16 questions
- Part 2: 17 questions
- Part 3: 17 questions
The exam is not proctored, and learners can take each exam part 2 times before they must pay for a retake.
