To launch The Retail Academy (as a division of the Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce) focusing on the first six months of operations.

1. Strategic Preparation

Definition of Initial Academic Offering

• Diplomas and short workshops in Retail Management, Category Management, Cultural Marketing, E-commerce, and Omnichannel Strategies.
• Complementary courses for Hispanic families: Financial Education, Nutrition, and Entrepreneurship.
• Institutional agreement with TEC de Monterrey (already in place): academic curriculum and joint certifications.
• Trademark registration and website: bilingual (ES/EN) platform with course information, registration, and payments.
• Academic and operational team.

2. Institutional Launch

• Launch event: Grand Retail Show Expo held on May 21 in Dulles, Virginia.
• Panel discussion on Hispanic Retail Media TV with Julio Ibanez, TEC de Monterrey, and invited retail executives.
• Press campaign: articles in Diario Retail and Hispanic media (digital + print).
• Bilingual flyer and digital brochure for promotion on LinkedIn, chambers of commerce, and universities.
• First flagship online course: “Fundamentals of Hispanic Retail in the U.S.”

3. First Academic Cycle

• Implementation of 2 flagship programs:
• Hybrid classes: online and in-person sessions at hubs (e.g., Houston, Miami, Dallas).
• Corporate agreements: offer corporate scholarships (C&S, Latin brands, regional retailers).
• Exclusive HRCOC material: real cases from the Grand Retail Show and Diario Retail.

4. Community Building

• Launch of “The Retail Academy Alumni Club”: alumni network with benefits (networking, access to fairs, discounts on programs).
• Monthly newsletter: retail trends content, expert interviews, success stories.
• First free webinar: “Trends in Hispanic Consumption 2025.”

5. Consolidation and Measurement

• Impact evaluation: number of enrolled students, completion rate, quality feedback.

Initial KPIs

• 200+ students in online courses.
• 3 active academic programs.
• 5 partner companies providing scholarships or sponsorships.

Scaling Plan

• Open digital branches in more Hispanic cities.
• Develop a joint master’s degree with an allied university.

Differentiating Axes

• Bilingual (ES/EN): accessible to second-generation Hispanic youth and non-Hispanic executives interested in the market.
• Retail + Culture: not just retail techniques but connection with Hispanic consumption.
• Networking network: HRCOC + TEC de Monterrey + retailers = value circle for students and companies.
• Prestigious certification: joint endorsement HRCOC – TEC de Monterrey.

Conclusion

The Retail Academy is rapidly evolving from concept to active operation, with courses underway, strategic alliances, a solid student community, and growing recognition within the Hispanic retail ecosystem — also extending to their families.

These actions will drive loyalty, a sense of belonging, and direct connection with other HRCOC commercial divisions, thereby strengthening the integration and impact of the entire organization.