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: 

Advanced Diploma in Retailing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94789  Advanced Diploma in Retailing 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Marketing 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Retailing is to develop the applied and practical competencies of the learner in the acquisition, understanding and application of retailing principles. It provides an intensive, focused and applied specialisation within the retail field to ensure that learners have a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in the field of retail.

Rationale:
The institution developed this qualification in order to create mobility for learners who complete qualifications in retailing within the institution and also with others offering similar qualifications. There is also a need for the advancement of knowledge in retailing for those who are already in the system in order to be acquainted with the new trends in retailing. Recently, technological, cultural and economic changes have shifted the balance of power to retailers and retailers have increased their capabilities and powers. Therefore it has become increasingly important for any manufacturer whose business model depends on being visible to the typical consumer to have individuals who specifically oversee retailing.

In retail firms, career opportunities occur in the merchandising/buying, store management and corporate staff functions. Corporate positions are found in these areas such as accounting, finance, promotions and advertising, information and distribution systems, and human resource management.

The retail sector is the second largest industry in South Africa after the mining sector. There is an estimated shortage of 40 000 retail managers. Retail management is a registered scarce skill. The university has been working with industry and the Wholesale and Retail SETA whom indicated a strong need for further articulation.

Lastly there is a shortage in academics specialising in retail which is partly due to the lack of post graduate qualifications in the field and this Advanced Diploma should help improve the situation in the medium to long term. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Department accepts Recognition of Prior Learning as an integral part of 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 the Faculty programmes in order to promote lifelong learning. The purpose of the University of Johannesburg's RPL policy, which directs the Faculty's RPL procedure, is to recognise prior learning in order to provide access into 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 UJ 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. The functions of the committee are to:
  • Monitor and review the RPL policy and procedures within the Department.
  • Oversee the RPL process and establish quality management in the Department.
  • Manage the administration of the RPL process according to the RPL sub-committee guidelines as approved by the Faculty.

    Advise the Faculty RPL sub-committee of the Department's recommendations.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum admission requirements for entry into an Advanced Diploma are an appropriate Diploma or Higher Certificate in the field of Retail. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of 4 compulsory modules worth 32 Credits each at NQF Level 7 totalling 128 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Strategic Retailing.
  • Applied research for Retailing.
  • Employment Relations for Retailers.
  • Contemporary Retailing. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Evaluate types of strategic approaches to retailing.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of strategic retailing, and employment-related aspects to solve problems or introduce change within retailing practice.
    3. Take strategic retailing decisions and act ethically and professionally in relation to employment relations.
    4. Identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and address complex problems, applying evidence-based solutions and theory driven arguments. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A systematic understanding of international retailing thinking, practice, theory and methodology is demonstrated.
  • Principles of international retailing are applied to problems in case studies (scenarios) and are reflected on the applications made.
  • International business and retail strategies are analysed.
  • Cooperative strategy, strategic leadership and style which will ensure strategic retailing practice are discussed.
  • Products are defined and classified, the nature and benefits of branding in a retailing environment are understood.
  • The current thinking and practice regarding multi-channel retailing are discussed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The role that experiential marketing is playing within the retail industry is identified and discussed.
  • Consumer groups for retail companies are critically analysed and relevant retailing aspects which should be considered are discussed.
  • The increasingly important role that green retailing is playing within the societies today is identified and discussed and the challenges of the future in this regard are highlighted.
  • The role that new media and social networking is playing in today's retailing environment is discussed.
  • Interaction with industry role players and a retailing strategy for a real-life challenge that is prevalent in the retail industry is devised.
  • All aspects relating to employment matters are identified and measures to improve the employment conditions are developed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Employment relations problems are explained by applying advanced theories and practice.
  • Critical approach to employment relations is developed with consideration of issues and practice applicable to the retailing sector.
  • Employment relations strategy for a retail company is developed.
  • Employment relations processes within a retail environment are managed.
  • The efficiency and effectiveness of employment relations in retail is measured.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Principles of marketing research to solve problems are applied.
  • Empirical research is conducted.
  • A research questionnaire is developed.
  • Principles of sampling are applied.
  • Principles of data collection are applied.
  • Data is captured, research data is analysed, statistical hypotheses is tested and empirical research results are interpreted.
  • Empirical research findings are reported in the form of a research report.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment takes place in accordance with the Institution's Assessment Policy and the Faculty specific assessment policy. The Advanced Diploma in Retailing implements three summative assessments during the course of a module and one final summative assessment at the end of a module as the means of learning evaluation. The lecturer for each of the above-mentioned modules determines the assessment method to be used in each instance.

    Specific assessment regulations are determined by the Faculty Board and approved by the Senate. Programme specific assessment criteria, rules and regulations, are communicated to learners in all learning guides. The development and implementation of assessment methods are based on the UJ and Faculty principles of assessment. A variety of 'fit for purpose' methods of assessment are used by the assessor/s within a module to assess the learners as defined by the learning outcomes.
    Assessments include the following outcomes based activities:
  • Observation of real or simulated tasks, e.g. practical exercises/demonstrations, role-plays, presentations.
  • Evaluation of a product after a task has been completed, e.g., projects, assignments, case studies, portfolios, artefacts, log books and reflective journals.
  • Questions, oral or written, used either separately or in combination, e.g., tests examinations, including short or long questions, essays, multiple choice questions, etc.

    All assessment activities are accompanied by a memorandum/assessment marking guide. The number and range of assessment methods used are included in the Learning Guides. Every assessment opportunity carries a predetermined weight that takes the integration of the outcomes into account.

    Formative and Summative Assessment:
    Both formative and summative assessment is integral to all modules in the programme. Formative assessment is synonymous with continuous assessment and is conducted during the course of teaching and learning and usually do not count towards the final mark. Summative assessment is carried out during the module that contributes toward the semester mark for the specific module. A final summative assessment is carried out at the end of a semester (6 months) period of teaching and learning of a module. The purpose is to (i.e. judge) the student's achievement of the exit learning outcomes.

    Supplementary summative and special assessment opportunities are equivalent to the original assessment opportunity aimed at accommodating students who were unable to be assessed in the original assessment opportunity.

    The Chief Assessor who will be responsible for teaching and assessing a module, is usually the lecturer. Lecturers allocate marks for assessment criteria competence. Module marks are awarded for continuous and summative assessment opportunities during the period of registration for the module.

    Summative assessment takes place during the process of learning and teaching. They take the form of tests, assignments, projects, presentations, creative production or other means where students provide evidence of learning. These assessments are used in the Advanced Diploma (Retailing) modules to:
  • Support the teaching and learning process.
  • Provide feedback to the student on her/his progress.
  • Diagnose the student's strengths and weaknesses.
  • Assist in the planning of future learning.
  • Assist with the development of and contributes to the learner's capacity for self-evaluation.
  • Help to make decisions on the readiness of the learner to do a summative assessment.

    The lecturer responsible for teaching a module is responsible for designing, marking and recording the marks for each assessment and providing feedback to students. The final summative assessments for each module of the Advanced Diploma in Retailing are conducted at the end of each semester for the purpose of making a judgment about the level of competence of students in relation to the learning outcomes of each module. The results of summative assessments are used to calculate the learner's final semester mark reflecting a pass or a fail. The minimum number of summative opportunities required, are contained in the UJ Academic Regulations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    HKU SPACE is a non-profit making university company limited offering the Advanced Diploma in Marketing and Retail Management. This qualification is designed to equip participants with the principles, theories and practices in marketing with the option of specialisations in either retail or brand management. Holders of this Advanced Diploma will be eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Marketing/Marketing and Management qualification jointly organised by HKU SPACE and The University of Hull. The institution also offers an Advanced Diploma in Marketing and Brand Management. The Department has compared this retail offering to HKU SPACE.

    In Singapore, the East Asian Institute of Management (EASB) offers an Advanced Diploma in Management and Retailing. This qualification combines two distinct but complementary subjects of management and retailing. It is about managing in the retail business sector; managing people, suppliers, marketing and consumer behaviours. The qualification's objectives are to understand the retail industry; the influence of both consumers and other influences that shape the industry; to develop a range of transferable skills appropriate to employers' needs; to develop in learners, both within the retailing curriculum and in the context of their degree programme, a range of transferable skills appropriate to employers' needs; to analyse the retail business environment and adopt creative approaches to problem solving in the retail business and to develop analytical and evaluative skills.

    The Indian Business School of Advanced Management Studies offers an Advanced Diploma in Retail Management. The qualification focuses on building a strong foundational base in retailing. The retail management qualification from the institution involves direct interaction with consumers so the interaction skills are enhanced and business activities are coordinated.

    Conclusion:
    There are enormous qualifications internationally in retailing, although some of them specifically focus on retailing aspect such as wholesale and retail. Retailing is one area of the broader term, e-commerce. Retailing is about buying and selling both goods and consumer services. With the more number of educated and literate consumers entering the economy and market, the need for reading the pulse of the consumers has become very essential. The qualifications have strong emphasis on developing a learner with the ability to understand consumer behaviour. The qualification being offered by UJ compares favourably with the international qualifications in term of outcomes of the modules, duration and articulation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Department of Marketing Management has a comprehensive offering at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, both in traditional university qualifications and professional development opportunities. The respective programmes and qualifications are linked to form interconnected career paths.

    Horizontal articulation is also possible across the different qualifications offered within the Department and Faculty also with other institutions such as:
  • Bachelor of Technology in Retail Business Management at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communication at NQF Level 7.

    The Advanced Diploma in Retailing will provide a direct vertical articulation opportunity to:
  • Bachelor of Consumer Science in Interior Merchandise Management in Retail Management at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Consumer Science in Food Management in Retail Management at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Consumer Science in Clothing Management in Retail Management at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Marketing and Supply Chain Management at NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and Supply at NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management at NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.