Maharashtra HSC Marketing & Retail Management (Vocational) study plan

Define the four elements of the marketing mix and state, in one sentence each, the decision variables inside product, price, place and promotion.

Classify ten everyday Indian products (soap, smartphone, insurance policy, movie ticket, etc.) into core, actual and augmented product layers and justify each classification.

Distinguish product mix width, length, depth and consistency using a real FMCG company's range as an example you write out yourself.

Explain the product life cycle stages and match each stage to one suitable pricing and one suitable promotion tactic.

Compare skimming, penetration, cost-plus, going-rate and value-based pricing, and state one situation where each fails.

Describe the three levels of a distribution channel and explain when a direct-to-consumer channel beats a two-level channel for a small manufacturer.

List the components of the promotion mix and match each to a stated communication objective (awareness, trial, loyalty).

Identify the elements of the micro environment (suppliers, intermediaries, customers, competitors, publics) and the macro environment (demographic, economic, natural, technological, political, socio-cultural) for a named local retailer.

Explain how a PESTLE factor has changed buying behaviour in your own city or region in the last five years.

Apply demographic, geographic, psychographic and behavioural segmentation to a single product category and produce four distinct segment profiles.

Evaluate whether a chosen segment is measurable, accessible, substantial, differentiable and actionable.

Sequence the five stages of the consumer buying decision process and give one retail example of each stage.

Distinguish high-involvement from low-involvement purchase decisions and predict how the decision process shortens in each case.

Name the psychological, social and personal factors that influence a purchase and give one concrete example of each from your own recent shopping.

Define marketing and distinguish it from selling, advertising and merchandising with one example each.

State the core marketing concepts (needs, wants, demand, value, satisfaction, exchange, market) and link each to a retail example.

Explain the functions of retailing in the distribution chain from manufacturer to end consumer.

Compare the role of a retailer, a wholesaler and a distributor in terms of ownership of goods, risk and margin.

Describe how organised and unorganised retail differ in India in terms of scale, sourcing and pricing.

Classify retail formats (department store, supermarket, hypermarket, convenience store, specialty store, discount store, category killer, e-tailer) and state the typical size, assortment and pricing stance of each.

Explain the store operations cycle: opening, receiving stock, replenishment, cash handling, closing and daily reconciliation.

Define merchandising and distinguish it from buying and from visual merchandising.

Describe the merchandising planning steps from assortment planning through assortment breadth and depth to shelf allocation.

Explain the purpose of store layout types (grid, free-flow, racetrack, spine) and identify which suits a grocery store versus a fashion store.

State the rules of visual merchandising (window display, focal point, colour blocking, signage, sightlines) and evaluate one store display against them.

Distinguish markup, markdown, cost-plus, keystone and psychological pricing and compute the selling price from cost and markup percentage.

Compute gross margin and markdown percentage from given cost, selling price and reduced price figures.

Explain the purpose of a sales promotion and compare at least four techniques (discount, coupon, bundle, loyalty programme, cashback) on cost, effect on margin and target customer.

Outline a customer service process for handling a complaint, from greeting through resolution and follow-up.

Describe how store atmosphere (lighting, music, scent, crowding) affects dwell time and purchase.

Trace a product from manufacturer to shelf and label each node, mode of transport and inventory holding point.

Explain the role of inventory turnover, safety stock, reorder point and lead time in a retail store.

Distinguish push and pull supply chains and state which suits fast-moving versus seasonal merchandise.

Describe the function of a distribution centre and compare it with a warehouse.

Identify the causes of stockouts and overstock and propose one corrective action for each.

Define e-commerce, m-commerce, social commerce and omnichannel retail and distinguish omnichannel from multichannel.

Explain how digital marketing tools (search, social media, email, influencer, performance advertising) map onto the promotion mix.

Describe how data, personalisation and quick commerce are changing store location and assortment decisions.

Revise all ten domains by writing a five-line summary of each from memory and checking it against your notes.

Attempt a timed full-length mock paper and mark every wrong answer with the domain it belongs to.