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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Retailing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94791  Higher Certificate in Retailing 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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  Marketing 
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
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 qualification is to equip learners with knowledge and skills to enter into a retailing environment and to be able to contribute immediately to store management. Successful learners will have a basic knowledge and understanding of all crucial aspects of managing a retail store including sales skills, merchandise buying and the management of human resources. The qualification also serves to provide articulation opportunities to the Diploma in Retail Management.

Rationale:
The need for the qualification arose from the dramatically changing retail landscape in South Africa. Incoming foreign competitors and the intensifying competition in the retail sector in South Africa, have increased the need for suitably-equipped learners who can contribute to the workforce from day one. The qualification is a substantial academic offering that combines comprehensive in-depth theoretical study material applied in a South African retail context with Open Distance Learning teaching principles. The qualification allows opportunities for successful learners to work in any retail marketing related field and addresses the need in the marketplace for competent, knowledgeable applicants. Learners are exposed to a wide variety of basic retailing-related issues which presents them with the opportunity to operate in a number of industries where basic retailing skills are required. The skills and knowledge obtained will put learners in a position to immediately begin operating at an entry level retailing position with the potential for further career growth. The qualification also prepares learners for further studies in the field of marketing and retail management. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be applied in line with the regulations of the Quality Council for Higher Education and the RPL Policy and the procedures of the institution.

Entry Requirements:
National Senior Certificate.
Or
Senior Certificate Vocational.
Or
A National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)) at NQF level 4.
Or
Recognition of Prior Learning. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, totalling 120:

Compulsory modules:
  • Introduction to marketing (MNM1503): 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to retailing (MNM1504): 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to marketing communication (MNM1507): 12 Credits.
  • Merchandising (MNM1506): 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Human resource management (HRM1501): 12 Credits.
  • Sustainability and greed (SUS1501): 12 Credits.
  • Practicing workplace English (ENN1504): 12 Credits.
  • Retail selling (MNM1523): 12 Credits.
  • Retail store management (MNM1524): 12 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of retail buying (MNM1525): 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply marketing knowledge and processes to real life situations taking into account societal, ethical and cultural considerations.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the field of retailing and the contextual relevance to marketing management as a field of study.
    3. Effectively plan and implement a basic marketing communication plan.
    4. Design and manage a basic merchandise plan for a retailer in a South African context.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of the retail selling function and describe the selling process in a retail environment.
    6. Discuss, in a practical context, the fundamentals of retail store management and plan, implement and control a basic retail store management strategy.
    7. Develop and implement a basic buying plan for a retail store. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Marketing principles, methods and processes are accurately identified and implemented, taking into account societal, ethical and cultural considerations.
  • Retail management principles, methods and processes are accurately identified and implemented, taking into account societal, ethical and cultural considerations.
  • An understanding of the field of retailing and the contextual relevance to marketing management as a field of study is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Marketing communication methods are compared and evaluated according to specific contextual requirements.
  • A basic marketing communication plan is designed and implemented and marketing communication tasks are executed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • A basic merchandise plan is designed taking into account specific retail requirements and environmental contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The retail selling process is discussed and applied to an unfamiliar retail scenario.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Retail store management principles and procedures are explained and demonstrated through the use of practical examples.
  • Basic retail store management strategy is designed, implemented and controlled.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Retail buying tasks are discussed and are applied by using applicable practical examples.

    Integrated Assessment:
    For the qualification to be awarded, a learner must have successfully achieved the outcomes of each of the compulsory/core and elective modules that constitute the qualification.

    Evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) and of the candidate's ability to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time that the qualification is awarded, is required by means of comprehensive and integrated assessment (constituting a range of formative and summative assessments). Continuous formative and summative assessment methods are used in the form of written assignments and exams, and the supervision of a research project. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification can be compared to the Undergraduate Certificate in Retail Management offered by the Ashworth College in Narcross, Georgia, USA.

    The duration of the undergraduate certificate is 12 months.

    The undergraduate Certificate offers similar modules to the Higher Certificate in Retailing:
  • Introduction to Retailing.
  • Retail buying.
  • Retail employee Management.
    The Ashworth Undergraduate Certificate in retail management focuses on how to set up a retail business, writing business plan, retail buying and retail employee management. The focus of the above mentioned qualification is a similar focus of the Higher Certificate in Retailing qualification.

    Welingkar Institute of Management Development (WeSchool) in Matunga (C.R.) Mumbaiwas established inthe year 1977 with a focus on giving a new dimension to Business Studies. It is part of the Shikshana Prasaraka Mandali, which has 43 prominent institutions across the country under its purview The Certificate Program in Retail Management is suitable for those aspirants who would like to become retail professionals at supervisory levels and those who own or manage a retail business. The one year qualification will introduce participants to various aspects of professional retailing. The curriculum has been designed by a team of Retail professionals and includes sessions in theory and practical applications in a balanced measure.

    The qualification focuses on developing general management skills required in the industry.
    The qualification has been designed taking into consideration the needs of both working professional as well as learners who are aspiring to become retailers.
    Rules of Combination:
  • Basics of Marketing.
  • Effective Communication.
  • Consumer Behaviour.
  • Introduction to Retail.
  • Retail Strategy.
  • Store Location, Site Selection and Positioning.
  • Merchandise Buying and Management.
  • Store Operation and Management.
  • Retail Advertising and Sales Promotion.
  • Retail Rural Marketing.
  • Retail Human Resource Management.

    Conclusion:
    The focus of both qualification and modules offered are similar and relate to the Exit Level Outcome of this qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation.
  • Higher Certificate in Retail Marketing.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Retail Management.
  • Diploma in Retail Business Management. 
    		•

    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 South Africa 


    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.