Association of Golf Merchandisers
Certified Retail Manager Program
CRM Program – AGM Member
$1000
Certified Retail Manager Program – Includes 8 Required courses and 3 elective courses.
CRM Program – Non-AGM Member
$1200
Certified Retail Manager Program – includes 1 year Merchandiser membership, 8 Required courses, and 3 elective courses.
CRM Single Course-AGM Member
CRM Single Course-Non-AGM Member
Certified Retail Manager Program Course Outline
Retail Strategies 101: Introduction to Buying
This session offers an introduction to the basics of retail strategies and covers the following topics:
- Planning your merchandise mix
- Vendor selection
- Basic retail fundamentals
PREREQUISITES: None
Retail Strategies 201: Retail Metrics
This session focuses on retail metrics and builds off the topics covered in Retail Strategies 101. This course focuses on:
- Turnover rates and their importance
- How to price merchandise with a focus on profitability
- How to calculate appropriate average inventory levels
PREREQUISITES: None required; Completion of Retail Strategies 101 recommended.
Retail Strategies 301: Developing an Inventory Plan and Open-to-Buy
This hands-on workshop focuses on developing a sound inventory plan for your facility and walks you through how to create an Open-to-Buy. This advanced session covers:
- Forecasting Retail Sales, Cost of Sales, and Turnover to arrive at an average inventory level for your facility.
- How to create a monthly inventory plan for your facility
- Bring your metrics to this workshop and leave with a series of spreadsheets that can be used at your facility.
PREREQUISITES: Retail Strategies 101 and 201 must be completed prior and test passed for admittance into Retail Strategies 301
Retail Strategies 401: Masters Class on Open-to-Buy Utilization
This is the final session presented by the AGM for the Retail Manager Certification program. Bring the spreadsheets created from Retail Strategies 301: Developing an Inventory Plan Workshop to this class. This master class focuses on:
- Utilization of the Total Shop Open to Buy Plan developed in Retail Strategies 301 for order placement and inventory management
- How to develop an Open to Buy plan for every department
- Focus on Vendor Analysis and Buying Plans
- Trains on how to use the Open-to-Buy for order placement and inventory management
PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Retail Strategies Series 101, 201, and 301 and tests passed are required.
Visual Merchandising Seminar
This session covers the basic principles of effective Visual Merchandising from floor layout and fixtures to the importance of telling a story with your displays and props. Photos of AGM Platinum Award Winning Golf Shops and more will be used as examples of the best practices in Visual Merchandising. This seminar focuses on:
- The importance of telling a story in your displays
- Building creative displays through color, folding, and props
- Effective floor layout and fixturing
PREREQUISITES: None
Promotions Seminar
This session covers the basics of planning and executing successful merchandise promotions and golf events at your facility. The five steps of selling and tools for motivating your staff to sell will also be discussed. Key takeaways will include:
- How promotions can help your business
- How to plan and run a successful promotion
- Five steps of selling and motivating your staff to sell
PREREQUISITES: None
Relationship Building Seminar
This seminar is designed to equip you with the essential skills and strategies needed to cultivate a distinct sales culture; driving revenue growth. Discover the art of transforming customer connections into lasting partnerships, evolving from customer to clients, and ultimately, collaborative partners. Key takeaways will include:
- Learn to create a customer-centric framework within your organization
- Learn to foster relationships that fuel your future success
- The keys to enhancing engagement, elevating sales, and ultimately maximizing success
PREREQUISITES: None
Technology Tools Seminar
This seminar is tailored to elevate your golf shop business through quick, easy marketing tips, tricks, and cutting-edge technology. This Seminar focuses on:
- Actionable insights and innovative marketing ideas designed to enhance your shop’s outreach
- How to use the latest tech tools of the trade to drive growth and success
- How to empower your shop with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in today’s competitive market
PREREQUISITES: None
Additional Requirements to Achieve AGM Certified Retail Manager Status:
3 Additional AGM Courses/Seminars/Webinars of Your Choice *
These educational seminars can be of your choosing and can be taken on the regional or national level. The AGM offers up to 4 webinars each month that can be utilized to fulfil this requirement.
* Pricing for the Certified Retail Manager Program does NOT include possible fees incurred for the three additional AGM courses/seminars/webinars that are required to receive certification. These fees can vary depending on in-person versus online participation.
Submission of the Merchandise Portfolio
The portfolio is to include:
- Cover letter
- Application for Certified Retail Manager Accreditation
- Six (6) photographs of Visual Displays
- Open to Buy Plan for your facility
- Promotional Calendar & Marketing Plan