The Department of Commerce at St. VincentPallotti College, Raipur, organized an industrial visit to Decathlon, Raipur,on Friday, 25th October 2024. The visit was intended to provide students withpractical insights into retail operations, supply chain management, andcustomer service. Under the coordination of Mr. Vaibhav Shrivastava, Head ofthe Department (HOD) of Commerce, the visit began at 12:00 PM. The event wasfacilitated by Decathlon's operational head, Mr. Washim, and salesrepresentative, Mr. Kuwar Raj, who guided the students throughout the session.
The visit began with an introductory sessionwhere students learned about Decathlon's business model, which is centeredaround efficiency, customer experience, and innovation to fulfill its missionof "making sports accessible to many." Mr. Washim explained keyaspects such as:
- Vertical Integration: By designing, manufacturing, and selling their own products, Decathlon controls quality and costs, enabling affordable pricing.
- Private Label Brands: The company’s own brands, like Quechua and Domyos, reduce reliance on third-party suppliers and promote innovative design.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Decathlon’s store layout and digital platforms are designed to educate and engage customers, with in-store experiences that allow product testing before purchase.
- E-commerce and Omnichannel Strategy: Integrating online and in-store shopping options enhances brand reach and customer engagement.
The session also covered Decathlon’slogistics design, focusing on efficient warehousing, automated inventorymanagement, and centralized distribution centers that minimize transport costsand reduce delivery times. Mr. Kuwar Raj provided practical insights on howthese elements work together, emphasizing the importance of maintainingefficiency, innovation, and a customer-focused approach. The visit included aguided store tour, where students observed various retail operations and had aninteractive Q&A session, further enriching their understanding.
The industrial visit to Decathlon, Raipur,was a valuable educational experience that provided students of St. VincentPallotti College with a comprehensive understanding of real-world businessoperations. The insights into Decathlon’s business model and logistics designhighlighted the significance of efficiency, innovation, and customer-centricpractices. This initiative strengthened the connection between classroomlearning and industry application, preparing students for future careers in thebusiness world. The Department of Commerce expressed its gratitude to Decathlonfor facilitating this insightful visit, reaffirming its commitment to offeringpractical learning opportunities to its students.