The Center for Retail Merchandising and Product Development, known as The Retail Center, was created in 2006. The Center is part of Florida State University’s Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences within the College of Human Sciences. It provides a channel for communications and exchange between the retail industry and Florida State University’s nearly 1000 merchandising, textiles, and apparel design majors, and 15 affiliated faculty members.

The Retail Center creates partnerships between retail businesses and FSU students and faculty to promote education, research, and service, offering the retail industry and its supporting industries an educated qualified workforce, sponsored research opportunities in areas of interest, and expertise to help meet targeted needs.

Sandels Building, Florida State Univ.

The FSU Retail Center seeks to create a partnership between the academic and retailing communities that will:

• Link our business partners with the best students;
• Engage the companies, students, and faculty in collaborative research;
• Generate networking opportunities for students and member executives;
• Provide access to FSU’s expertise and facilities;
• Develop creative problem-solving partnerships;
• Create a forum ; and
• Provide national exposure and company recognition for Center members.