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The Center for Retailing Innovation is excited to host our Spring Retailing Competition. Gain experience and showcase your creative, analytical, and collaboration skills while solving a real-world retail challenge. Students will receive a prompt at our kickoff event and you’ll work with your team to develop innovative solutions, presenting your findings to a panel of retail professionals.

Retailing Competition

Participate in the Spring 2026 Retailing Competition at Mays Business School hosted by the Center for Retailing Innovation where you’ll team up with peers to tackle real retail challenges from start to finish.

Final Competition Presentations

Date: Friday, February 27, 2026

Time: 1:45pm

Location: Wayne Roberts Building - Norcom Conference Center

How the Competition Works

Students may register individually and be assigned to a team, or register as part of a team, but all participants must complete registration. Teams should consist of 3–4 members.

Kickoff Event (Friday, February 6, 2026) at 1pm and should last no longer than one hour.

Retail Competition teams will receive the retailing challenge prompt for the competition. Over the following 3 weeks, you'll gather and analyze data, develop innovative ideas, and prepare your presentation. Teams can meet with an advisor to refine their strategy. You'll have 3 weeks to develop your solutions and prepare your presentation.

On Friday, February 27, 2026 at 1:45pm, each team will present to a panel of judges, and after evaluation, winners will be announced at 4:00pm. The final presentations will take place in the NORCOM Conference Center at the Wayne Roberts Building at Mays Business School. Business professional attire is required for presentations.

Registration deadline: Thursday, February 5th, 2026.

For students pursuing a Professional Distinction in Retailing, full participation in this competition will provide 100 points in the experience category and winners will receive an additional 25 points.