Retail and eCommerce

Introduction

Retail & e-Commerce (REC) is one of the ITE Skills Subjects (ISS) offered at Crest Secondary School, aimed at equipping students with foundational skills and knowledge in the retail and e-commerce industry. Students gain competencies in promoting and selling goods and services, addressing customer inquiries, assisting customers, arranging merchandise displays, and managing various retail operations. With the business landscape evolving and online commerce growing rapidly, students also learn to create digital content, engage in basic social media marketing, process online orders, and manage deliveries.

REC collaborates with departments like Culinary & Restaurant Operations (CRO) to create immersive learning experiences that blend both fields. This approach helps students see the connections and relevance between these subjects, building skills that prepare them for future roles in the retail and e-commerce sectors.

Ice-Cream Sales

The ice-cream sales activity offers students the chance to apply key business and marketing concepts in a real-world context. Students start by learning how to pack ice cream into cooler boxes, focusing on proper storage and packaging techniques to ensure product quality. They identify their target audience and strategically position themselves in high-traffic areas, such as the school canteen or foyer, to maximise sales.

Customer service is emphasized as students engage with customers in a friendly manner, build rapport, and encourage repeat business. They practice clear communication and learn how to present products attractively to capture customer interest. Teachers observe and assess the students' performance, which is later discussed in a post-event review for further learning. This activity provides practical experience in product storage, customer interaction, and sales techniques, deepening students' understanding of effective product marketing and sales.

Crest Harvest Sales

The Crest Harvest Sales activity is an inter-class competition that uses a farm-to-table approach, allowing students to apply classroom lessons in a practical setting. Students pack harvested vegetables in sustainable packaging that supports recycling and eco-friendly practices—key aspects of modern business. They design product logos and packaging labels, honing their branding and design skills while learning how to communicate effectively with potential customers.

Students create engaging social media posts to showcase the unique features of their products, such as being locally grown and sustainably packaged. They learn to adapt their tone and content for their target audiences, using hashtags, visuals, and captions to maximize visibility. Additionally, they practice marketing techniques like upselling and cross-selling to boost sales. The competition incorporates factors such as sales revenue, marketing strategies, and customer service skills, simulating the competitive nature of the retail industry. By managing the entire farm-to-table process, students gain comprehensive product knowledge and hands-on business experience.

Pick & Mix

The "Pick & Mix" activity immerses students in retail service through an intra-class competition where teams compete to run the most popular cart. Each team curates a product assortment, plans promotions, manages costs, and handles various retail operations, including packaging, customer service, cashiering, merchandising, and store management. This activity offers a comprehensive view of the complexities involved in running a successful retail setup.

Direct customer interaction helps students enhance their communication and service skills, and they learn to choose appropriate packaging techniques that align with product types and customer expectations. Post-sale reviews focus on packaging quality, customer satisfaction, communication effectiveness, and operational efficiency. These reflections help students identify strengths and areas for improvement, reinforcing important lessons for real-world retail scenarios.

Overall, "Pick & Mix" provides a dynamic learning environment where students gain insights into customer engagement, operational management, and strategic thinking in retail.

Serve Up! Reception

The Serve Up! Reception event, managed by Secondary Four students, served as the welcoming point for guests at the annual Serve Up! lunch. Guests from various industries and organisations were greeted by students, who demonstrated professionalism and school pride.

The event featured an array of student-created products, including National Day-themed tote bags, welcome drinks, shrink art school key chains, bracelets and charms, hydro-dipped photo frames, and artwork developed with guidance from the Aesthetics Department. Students engaged with guests, explaining the creative processes behind their products and showcasing their customer service and communication skills. This experience provided valuable learning in event management, product presentation, and professional interaction with school stakeholders, underscoring the importance of representing the school with pride and professionalism.

Sypnosis of Retail & e-Commerce (Sec 3 & 4 ISSC Subjects)

• Receiving and storing merchandise
• Inventory management
• Visual merchandising, promoting products and services on multi-channel
• Customer service and after-sale service
• Obtaining customer feedback
• Handling payments
• Housekeeping