AEM 6480 - Food and Consumer Packaged Goods Industry Dynamics

Spring. 3 credits. Student option grading.

Co-meets with AEM 2480.

D. Hooker.

Covers merchandising principles and practices as they apply to food industry situations. Examines the various elements of merchandising such as buying, pricing, advertising, promotion, display, store layout, profit planning and control, and merchandising strategy. Considers the consequences of food industry trends and initiatives for other industry members, public policy makers, and consumers. A 3-4 page (max) report on each of the Guest Speaker presentations focusing on identifying links to behavioral economics principles and solutions to problems/issues raised by the speaker is required. Students will also meet outside class to discuss guest speaker presentations in the context of their own ongoing projects.

Outcome 1: Students will explore the dynamics of food distribution systems and the economic principles that underlie food industry dynamics.

Outcome 2: Student assignments and exams will require finding, evaluating, and ethically using information.

Outcome 3: Student assignments will require integration of quantitative and qualitative information to propose solutions.

Outcome 4: Student assignments will be graded for clarity and composition.

Outcome 5: Students will complete both individual and team assignments.