Preparing Professionals To Lead The Next Wave Of Consumer Retail With IIM Calcutta's Executive Programme In Integrated Retail Management (EPIRM)

Consumer business today is no longer a linear business of sourcing, selling, and scaling. It operates at the intersection of shifting consumer behaviour, rapid technological adoption, and intense competitive pressure. Decisions that once sat within individual functions now ripple across supply chains, digital platforms, physical stores, and customer experience ecosystems. 

The talent scarcity in B2C and D2C businesses

India's consumer businesses are expected to add over 50 million jobs across organised formats, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer models. But hiring at scale does not automatically create experts. As these businesses grow, many professionals find themselves managing complexity without having been prepared for it.

As Prof Ramendra Singh, IIM Calcutta, explains, "India's retail market is booming and is expected to touch USD 1.6 trillion by 2030. Modern retail is increasing exponentially. We are seeing a lot of technologies being applied across retail formats, and digital and physical retail are merging." 

Professionals need the ability to think strategically, work across functions, and convert insights from data and customer interactions into meaningful business decisions. IIM Calcutta's Executive Programme in Integrated Retail Management (EPIRM), addresses this need by helping professionals develop a holistic view of decision-making across functions, channels, and consumer touchpoints. TalentSprint is the programme's digital delivery and outreach partner.

The IIM Calcutta advantage

IIM Calcutta is consistently recognised as India's #1 business school, ranking first in the BT-MDRA Best B-School Survey 2023, Fortune India Best B-School Survey 2023, and Open Magazine's Best B-School Survey 2024. It is also ranked #1 in India for pedagogical experience by the Financial Times, reflecting the institute's strength in classroom rigour, teaching quality, and learning outcomes. Globally, IIM Calcutta features in the Financial Times MBA Ranking 2025 and is ranked #65 in the QS Global MBA Rankings. The institute is also the only Indian business school to be part of the CEMS global alliance, connecting it to leading international business schools, multinational companies, and NGOs worldwide.

Built for the realities of running consumer businesses

The EPIRM programme is designed for professionals who want to move beyond functional limits and build the ability to shape retail growth strategies. According to Prof Avinash Kumar, Programme Director, "Participants develop skill sets that help them create and implement retail growth strategies. The programme caters to professionals working in marketing, e-commerce, and FMCG who want to understand the evolution taking place in the retail sector."

The curriculum is structured to reflect real business complexity rather than textbook scenarios. Participants engage with topics such as consumer insights, omnichannel models, customer experience design, pricing, merchandising, assortment planning, and AI and digital-enabled decision making across channels.

Leading growth across B2C and D2C businesses

Graduates of the programme move beyond theory to build the capability to balance business results with customer needs.

Participants gain the ability to - 

Apply data, digital tools, and AI to improve pricing, inventory, merchandising, and decisions

Build and manage omnichannel models across stores, e-commerce, and digital touchpoints

Design customer experiences that influence shopper behaviour and sales

Create customer-centric strategies that drive differentiation, loyalty, and growth

Programme highlights designed for working professionals

The learning experience is intentionally built around flexibility and relevance

• 9-months programme with executive-friendly evening classes
• Live sessions led by IIM Calcutta faculty
• Industry-anchored cases and simulations
• Capstone project on real business challenges
• Two 3-day campus immersion at IIM Calcutta
• Receive prestigious certification from IIM Calcutta
• Flexible payment options designed to suit your schedule and budget
• Gain IIM Calcutta's Executive Education alumni status

Participants also gain access to the IIM Calcutta executive education alumni ecosystem with over 33,000 professionals, enabling long term networking, learning, and career engagement.

Who stands to gain the most from this programme

The EPIRM programme is designed for professionals across B2C and D2C businesses who are directly involved in driving growth, customer experience, and execution across channels. This includes roles spanning e-commerce, merchandising, category management, marketing, and operations, along with entrepreneurs and business owners scaling consumer-led products and services. It is equally suited for mid-career professionals preparing to step into larger, cross-functional leadership roles, and for organisations nominating high-potential talent as part of structured leadership and capability-building initiatives.

Applicants must hold a recognised graduation or post-graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks and have at least two years of professional experience. This ensures participants bring real industry exposure into the classroom, enabling richer discussions and practical learning grounded in actual business scenarios.

Shaped by the operating realities of consumer businesses

Designed to reflect how B2C and D2C businesses operate today, the programme combines strategic thinking, real-world application, and academic depth in a format suited for working professionals. It offers a clear, credible way to strengthen decision-making and stay relevant as the sector evolves. Click here to know more.

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