SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Retailing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110814  Higher Certificate in Retailing 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  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 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-19  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 Higher Certificate in Retailing is designed to enhance the employability of learners by equipping them with basic retail management knowledge and skills, which will enable them to occupy entry-level/junior or support positions in retail organisations. Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills to work as sales assistants/personnel; customer service personnel; merchandisers; personal assistants to store managers, and as administrative staff, and responsible for capturing data and maintaining records.

The eight modules in the qualification were coherently planned, in terms of content, credits, purpose and outcomes; and were aligned to the needs of all types of organisations to provide employees with basic retail management knowledge and skills. While the four fundamental modules in the qualification, namely, Business Communication and Information Literacy; Financial Literacy; Introduction to Technology, and Cornerstone 101 address the need for general knowledge and skills required in the workplace, the four core modules in the qualification namely, Introduction to Retail and Merchandise Management; Retail Operations; Customer Orientation, and Sales Techniques address the need for foundational knowledge and skills in the retailing field.

The qualification was also designed to facilitate vertical articulation into the Diploma in Management Sciences specialising in Retailing.

Rationale:
Interactions with the Advisory Board members and large employers in the retail sector revealed that for many entry-level/junior and support positions in an organisation, a Higher Certificate qualification is adequate. Hence, the decision to develop this qualification at the institution. By offering this qualification, access to higher education is broadened, and the employment prospects of the qualifying learners are improved.

According to the National Development Plan (NDP), education is the critical enabler for economic development and growth in South Africa; it also defines leaners' identity; enables them to take control of their own lives and plays a meaningful role in the broader development of the society. The qualification will not only improve the employment prospects of the qualifying learners, but it will also contribute towards meeting the needs of commerce and industry for employees at entry-level/junior or support positions with basic retail management knowledge and skills, thereby contributing to the socio-economic growth and development in South Africa. Furthermore, the qualification will broaden access to tertiary education for many people. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an RPL policy in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (completed qualifications, short courses and work experience). The learners are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting extensive work-based learning.

The institution assesses the candidate's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes, and credits/exemption may be granted for some modules in the qualification, and/or admission may be granted into the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
  • Business Communication and Information Literacy, 16 Credits.
  • Financial Literacy, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
  • Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Retail and Merchandise Management, 20 Credits.
  • Customer Orientation, 16 Credits.
  • Retail Operations, 16 Credits.
  • Sales Techniques, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Explain the key concepts, terms, principles and practices within the field of retailing.
    2. Apply basic retailing knowledge in a real world situation/scenario.
    3. Identify and analyse basic retailing-related problems in an organisation, and offer appropriate solutions.
    4. Communicate professional and technical information effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technology, language, structure, style and graphical support. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Explain fundamental issues pertaining to the establishment of a retail business, including the identification of business models, stakeholders, and their requirements.
  • Discuss aspects pertaining to the operations of a retail store such as housekeeping; the management of staff; risk management and health and safety criteria.
  • Define and explain the concepts of customer orientation; customer service; customer expectations and market orientation.
  • Describe the nature of sales in various contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify and apply key terms and concepts in a retail context.
  • Outline and apply elements of the retail mix to various retail formats.
  • Describe and Apply the consumer decision-making process to various product types.
  • Identify, describe and apply segmentation variables to various retail scenarios.
  • Apply sales techniques using various communicative and technological techniques.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify retailing-related problems in an organisation.
  • Propose and evaluate alternate solutions to retailing problems.
  • Examine the store layout with a view to improving the layout to increase sales.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Describe and apply appropriate strategies to communicate with relevant stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate appropriate sales techniques for various products.
  • Demonstrate computer literacy and proficiency.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Aligned to institution's Assessment Policy, regarding Integrated Assessments for the Higher Certificate in Retailing:
  • The assessments will be aligned with the stated learning outcomes for the programme.
  • Appropriate assessment tools will be used to establish that learners have achieved the stated learning outcomes.
  • Assessment will be systematic, regular and formative, and feedback to the learners about their progress toward exit level competence will be timeous and constructive.
  • The assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid and reliable, and ensure that no student is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever.

    Foundational knowledge embedded in the fundamental modules, which are offered in the first semester, will be integrated into the assessments for the core modules in the qualification, which are offered in the second semester. The integrated assessments will make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools and may include written tests; assignments, and presentations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications:

    Country: Ireland.
    Institution: The Dublin Institute of Technology.
    Qualification Titles: Higher Certificate in Retail Management and Marketing.
    This qualification is offered at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6.

    There are similarities in terms of modules offered at this institution and the Higher Certificate in Retailing.
    General Modules:
  • Financial Accounting.
  • Information Technology.
  • Management.
  • Marketing.
  • Business Law.
  • Economics.
  • Human Resource Management.
  • New Venture Creation and Communications.

    Specialist Modules:
  • Retail Management.
  • Retail Analytics.
  • Applied Retailing.
  • Store Environments.
  • Retail Property Management.

    Similar Modules offered in this qualification:
  • Financial Literacy.
  • Introduction to Technology.
  • Retail Operations.
  • Introduction to Retail and Merchandise Management.
  • Customer Orientation/Sales Techniques.

    Country: Australia:
    Institution: Australian College of Higher Education.
    Qualification Titles: Certificate in Retail Management.
    There are similarities in terms of modules offered at this institution and the Higher Certificate in Retailing.

    Core Modules:
  • Manage Store presentation and Pricing.
  • Lead and Manage people.
  • Provide a Safe Work Environment.

    Elective Modules:
  • Client and customer service.
  • Cleaning and Maintenance.
  • Communication.
  • E-Business.
  • Finance.
  • Food Safety.
  • Governance and Legal Compliance.
  • Human Resource Management.
  • Inventory.
  • Marketing and Public Relations.
  • Merchandising.
  • Product Management.
  • Quality and Innovation.
  • Risk Management and Security.

    Similar Modules offered in the Higher Certificate in Retailing:
  • Customer Orientation/Sales techniques.
  • Retail Operations.
  • Financial Literacy.
  • Introduction to Retail and Merchandise Management.
  • Customer Orientation/Sales techniques.
  • Retail Operations.

    An evaluation of the qualifications above informed the curriculum design of the Higher Certificate in Retailing, in terms of the inclusion of a number of general modules such as Business Communication and Information Literacy and Financial Literacy. With regard to the Retail specialisation, the above qualifications validated the inclusion of Introduction to Retail and Merchandise Management, Customer Orientation, Retail Operations and Sales Techniques into the qualification. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Marketing, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Management Sciences, Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    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.
     
    1. Durban University of Technology 


    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.