Top 11 Retail Consultant Certifications

Certifications for a retail consultant are important in the job market for several reasons. First, certifications provide a way for retail consultants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field. They demonstrate a commitment to continuing education and staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends. Additionally, certifications can give retail consultants an edge over other candidates who do not have any formal training or credentials. Finally, many employers value certifications as a sign of professionalism and may be more likely to hire someone with a certification than someone without one.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for retail consultants and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Retail Consultant Certifications?

Retail consultant certification is an industry-recognized program that provides training and education to individuals who are looking to pursue a career in retail consulting. This certification is designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to provide valuable advice, guidance, and support to retail businesses. The program focuses on topics such as customer service, inventory management, sales forecasting, product marketing, business operations and more.

Through this certification program, professionals gain an understanding of the retail environment and learn how to effectively advise clients on their business strategies. They also gain insights into the latest trends in the industry, helping them stay up-to-date on changes and developments in the sector. Additionally, they develop a better understanding of how different aspects of the business can be used to drive success for their clients. With this knowledge, consultants can help clients make informed decisions about their operations and ensure that their strategies are effective in achieving desired outcomes.

Overall, retail consultant certification provides individuals with a comprehensive foundation of skills and knowledge that can be used to further their careers in this field. It is an invaluable resource that can help professionals become successful retail consultants who are able to deliver high-quality advice and services to their clients.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the various retail consultant certifications available and select one that best fits your needs. Consider not only the cost of the certification, but also the time commitment required to complete the program and any additional requirements for renewal or recertification.

Related: What does a Retail Consultant do?

Top 11 Retail Consultant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Retail Consultants today.

1. Certified Professional in Retail Management (CPRM)

Certified Professional in Retail Management (CPRM) is a certification program designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills to become successful retail managers. The program is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association. The CPRM certification is designed for retail professionals who want to advance their careers and demonstrate their commitment to excellence in retail management.

The CPRM program consists of four modules: Retail Leadership, Store Operations, Merchandising, and Financial Management. Each module includes online courses, webinars, and self-study materials that cover essential topics such as customer service, store operations, marketing strategies, financial analysis, and more. Participants must complete all four modules within two years in order to earn their certification.

In order to qualify for the CPRM program, applicants must have at least three years of retail experience or a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. Applicants must also pass a written exam administered by NRF before they can be certified.

The cost of the CPRM program varies depending on the number of modules taken and whether or not participants choose to take optional courses or webinars. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $1,500-$2,000 USD for all four modules.

2. Certified Retail Manager (CRM)

Certified Retail Manager (CRM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize retail professionals who have achieved a level of excellence in their field. The CRM designation is awarded by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association.

The CRM program is open to anyone with at least two years of full-time experience in retail management or ownership. To become certified, candidates must complete an online application and pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as customer service, store operations, human resources, financial management, and marketing. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours.

The cost for the CRM certification program depends on the type of membership you have with NRF. For non-members, the cost is $395; for members, it’s $295; and for student members, it’s $195. Additionally, there are fees associated with taking the exam ($50 for non-members and $25 for members).

Once you’ve successfully completed the exam, you will receive your Certified Retail Manager certificate within four to six weeks.

3. Certified Retail Analyst (CRA)

Certified Retail Analyst (CRA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of expertise in retail operations and management. The CRA certification is offered by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), which is an international trade organization representing retailers.

The CRA certification program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Executive. Each level requires the completion of specific courses and exams, as well as a certain amount of work experience in the retail industry. To become a Certified Retail Analyst, you must complete all three levels within three years.

The Associate Level requires completion of two courses and one exam, while the Professional Level requires completion of four courses and two exams. The Executive Level requires completion of six courses and three exams. Additionally, applicants must have at least two years' work experience in the retail industry before they can apply for any level of CRA certification.

The cost to become a Certified Retail Analyst varies depending on which level you are applying for and how many courses you need to take to complete it. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000-$2,000 for each level.

4. Certified Store Manager (CSM)

Certified Store Manager (CSM) is a professional certification program designed to help retail store managers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage their stores. The certification program is offered by the National Retail Federation and provides comprehensive training in retail operations, customer service, sales management, and financial management.

The CSM certification program consists of four courses that are completed online over a period of six months. The courses cover topics such as store operations, merchandising, customer service, human resources management, marketing, and financial management. Upon completion of all four courses, participants must pass an exam to earn their CSM certification.

To get certified as a CSM you must first register for the program through the NRF website. Registration costs $499 and includes access to all four courses and the exam. Once registered you will have six months to complete all four courses and take the exam. After passing the exam you will receive your official CSM certificate from the NRF.

5. Certified Retail Operations Professional (CROP)

Certified Retail Operations Professional (CROP) is a certification program developed by the National Retail Federation (NRF). It is designed to recognize and validate retail operations professionals who have demonstrated a mastery of the core competencies necessary to be successful in the field. The CROP certification is based on NRF’s Core Competency Model, which includes five key areas: customer service, merchandising, operations, technology, and finance.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the CROP certification program. To get certified, individuals must first complete an online application and submit it to NRF for approval. Once approved, they must pass an exam that covers all five core competencies of the CROP model. Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals will receive their official CROP certificate from NRF.

The cost of obtaining a CROP certification varies depending on how you choose to pursue it. If you take a self-study course or attend an in-person training session offered by NRF or its partners, there will likely be associated fees for materials or registration. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam itself.

6. Certified Merchandising Professional (CMP)

Certified Merchandising Professional (CMP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Visual Merchandisers (IAVM). It is designed to give visual merchandisers the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in the retail industry. The CMP program is an intensive, comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of visual merchandising, from display design and layout to customer service and sales techniques.

The CMP program takes approximately three months to complete. During this time, students will learn about the fundamentals of visual merchandising, as well as more advanced topics such as store design, product placement, and customer service. Students will also gain hands-on experience through field trips and internships with local retailers. Upon completion of the program, participants will be eligible to take the CMP exam and earn their certification.

To get certified as a Certified Merchandising Professional (CMP), you must first complete the IAVM's CMP training program. This can be done online or in person at one of IAVM's approved training centers. Once you have completed the program, you can register for the CMP exam which is administered by Prometric Testing Centers worldwide. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CMP certificate from IAVM.

The cost of becoming a Certified Merchandising Professional (CMP) varies depending on where you take your training course and how long it takes you to complete it. Generally speaking, most courses cost between $2,000 - $4,000 USD depending on location and length of coursework. Additionally, there is an exam fee associated with taking the CMP exam which typically costs around $200 USD per attempt.

7. Certified Visual Merchandiser (CVM)

Certified Visual Merchandiser (CVM) is a professional certification program for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in visual merchandising. This certification is designed to ensure that those who receive it have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage, design, and implement effective visual merchandising strategies.

The CVM certification is offered by the International Visual Merchandising Association (IVMA). The program consists of an online course and a two-day workshop. The online course covers topics such as retail fundamentals, store layout, product display, customer service, and visual merchandising principles. The two-day workshop includes hands-on training in the areas of store design, product display, customer service, and visual merchandising principles.

In order to become certified as a CVM, candidates must successfully complete both the online course and the two-day workshop. Once completed, candidates will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of visual merchandising through an assessment process. Upon successful completion of this assessment process, candidates will receive their CVM certification from IVMA.

The cost for the CVM certification program varies depending on whether you choose to take the online course or attend the two-day workshop. The cost for the online course is $399 USD while the cost for attending the two-day workshop is $1,299 USD.

8. Certified Loss Prevention Specialist (CLPS)

Certified Loss Prevention Specialist (CLPS) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage loss prevention operations. The program is offered by the Loss Prevention Foundation, an international non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of loss prevention professionals.

The CLPS certification requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of experience in loss prevention or related fields. Applicants must also pass an online exam that covers topics such as risk management, safety and security, investigations, auditing, and legal issues. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To obtain the CLPS certification, applicants must submit an application form along with a fee of $150 USD. Once approved, applicants will receive their official CLPS certificate within four weeks.

The CLPS certification is valid for three years from the date of issue and can be renewed by submitting proof of continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

9. Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP)

Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) is a certification created by the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of customer experience professionals. The certification is recognized as the global standard for customer experience excellence.

It takes approximately one year to complete all of the requirements for CCXP certification. To become certified, you must first meet certain prerequisites, including having at least three years of experience in customer experience-related roles and completing a CXPA-approved training program. You will then need to pass an exam that covers topics such as customer journey mapping, customer service design, and data analysis.

The cost of becoming CCXP certified varies depending on whether you are a CXPA member or nonmember. For nonmembers, the cost is $1,495 for the exam fee plus any additional fees associated with training programs or membership fees. For members, it is $995 for the exam fee plus any additional fees associated with training programs or membership fees.

In addition to passing the exam, you must also maintain your certification by completing continuing education activities every two years. This includes attending conferences and workshops related to customer experience topics, participating in online courses or webinars related to customer experience topics, and engaging in other professional development activities related to customer experience topics.

10. Certified Business Analysis Professional in Retail (CBAP-R)

Certified Business Analysis Professional in Retail (CBAP-R) is a professional certification designed to recognize the expertise of business analysts working in the retail industry. It is offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), and it validates a person’s understanding and application of business analysis principles, techniques, and tools.

The CBAP-R certification requires applicants to have at least three years of documented work experience in the retail industry, as well as two references from a supervisor or manager who can attest to their knowledge and experience. Applicants must also pass an exam that tests their knowledge of business analysis principles, techniques, and tools.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to complete the CBAP-R certification process. The cost for the exam is $325 USD for IIBA members, or $450 USD for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with preparing for the exam such as training courses or study materials.

11. Certified Supply Chain Professional in Retail (CSCP-R).

Certified Supply Chain Professional in Retail (CSCP-R) is a certification program offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). It is designed to help supply chain professionals in the retail industry gain the knowledge and skills they need to be successful. The CSCP-R covers topics such as global sourcing, inventory management, transportation and logistics, customer service, and financial analysis.

The CSCP-R certification requires applicants to pass an exam that consists of 150 multiple choice questions. The exam must be taken within 18 months of submitting your application. To become certified, you must also have three years of professional experience in supply chain management or related field.

The cost for the CSCP-R certification is $695 USD for ASCM members and $995 USD for non-members. This fee includes the exam fee, study materials, and access to online resources.

To get started on your journey towards becoming a Certified Supply Chain Professional in Retail (CSCP-R), you can visit the ASCM website to learn more about the program and register for the exam.

Do You Really Need a Retail Consultant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and aspirations. If you are looking to become a professional retail consultant, then a certificate is likely necessary. A certificate program provides an official credential that can demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field of retail consulting. It also gives employers assurance that you have been trained in the fundamentals of the industry, and can provide valuable insights into retail operations.

However, if you are already working as a retail consultant or have some experience in the field, then a certificate may not be necessary. Your experience may be enough to convince potential employers of your skills and capabilities. In addition, many companies offer on-the-job training programs which can give you the same level of knowledge as someone with a certificate.

Ultimately, if you wish to pursue formal certification as a retail consultant, then obtaining a certificate is likely beneficial. However, it is important to evaluate your individual needs and circumstances before making a decision about whether or not you need one.

Related: Retail Consultant Resume Examples

FAQs About Retail Consultant Certifications

1. What is a Retail Consultant Certification?

Answer: A Retail Consultant Certification is an official recognition of a consultant’s expertise and knowledge in the retail industry. It requires passing an exam that covers topics such as sales, customer service, marketing, financial management, and store operations.

2. Who should consider getting a Retail Consultant Certification?

Answer: Anyone who works in the retail industry or wants to break into the field can benefit from obtaining a Retail Consultant Certification. This includes store managers, sales associates, merchandisers, buyers, and other professionals involved in retail operations.

3. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified you must complete an approved training program and then pass an exam. You may also need to meet certain experience requirements depending on which certification you choose to pursue.

4. What are the benefits of being certified?

Answer: Having a Retail Consultant Certification shows employers that you have specialized knowledge and skills in the retail industry which can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions. Additionally, certifications can provide networking opportunities with other professionals in your field and give you access to exclusive resources such as discounts on products or services related to retail operations.

5. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes varies depending on the type of certification you are pursuing and how much prior experience you have in the field. Generally speaking though, most certifications can be completed within 6 months if you dedicate yourself to studying for the exam and completing any required coursework or training programs.