Student Organization Spotlight: The Retail Club (NRFSA)
The following is an overview of the Retail Club in partnership with the NRF Foundation, highlighting different upcoming events and projects the organization has planned.
Maya Illanes | millanes@butler.edu
The Retail Club (NRFSA) is the collegiate chapter of the National Retail Foundation Student Association, which is the world’s largest retail trade association. The Retail Club on Butler’s campus connects students with career opportunities in the retail industry by providing networking opportunities with industry professionals, mentoring, recruiter panels, scholarships, case study competitions, and career fairs.
The organization works to serve the Indianapolis community by hosting an annual clothing drive that donates all items to the Julian Center for domestic abuse survivors. The club also travels to New York City every January to attend the NRF Student Program where they get the opportunity to hear from CEOs of major fashion companies such as Lululemon and Steve Madden. Members get to connect with recruiters and students from all over the country during their time in NYC.
Isa Sanchez, the President of the Retail Club and a Student Ambassador for the NRF Foundation, shares that the club aims to open doors for students interested in pursuing a career in retail and fashion. Sanchez shares that when she came to Butler, she, “dreamed of pursuing a career in fashion and business but had no clue where to start building these connections.” Retail is not incorporated into Butler’s business curriculum, so the NRF and Retail Club work to provide these connections and learning opportunities to students who want to build their network outside of class.
Every January, the Retail Club travels to Times Square in NYC for four days to attend the NRF Student Program. The event includes a series of keynote speakers who are typically high-level executives from exceptional brands. There, students can learn about trends in retail, sustainability, technology, and just about everything happening in the retail industry at the time. The program is also built for students to attend events hosted by companies such as Target, Nordstrom, and Kohl’s. The trip also includes opportunities for other activities around NYC such as ice skating at Bryant Park and yoga with recruiters. The program ends with a career fair for junior and senior students to network and interview for potential internships and full-time positions.
The Retail Club is always looking to recruit new members. Sanchez emphasizes that the club, “wants people to know that [they] are here and excited to welcome everyone eager to learn!” Retail Club and being a part of the NRF is an amazing opportunity for anyone curious or passionate about the retail industry.