There is an art and there is a science to customer service. When translated to academics, this includes analytical and communications skills. Auzenne and Taylor have established an innovative University Retail Center within FAMU's College of Arts and Sciences to make retail careers available to undergraduates from a wide variety of academic disciplines. The Center is supported by major retail organizations such as JC Penney and Wal-Mart. At the Retail Center, professors teach students the importance of understanding demographic trends, Auzenne says.
Students have to understand population trends, statistics and changing lifestyles.
They need to understand the present and emerging technologies of selling. Auzenne urges students to understand and prepare for selling in the 21st century, including selling in cyberspace. Newhouse agrees by saying that retail-oriented students must know at least the basics of computer science. Newhouse also advocates courses in philosophy, sociology, and psychology for the student to learn how people think. These courses will help the retail employee understand and interact with the customers.