What: A new retail-focused major at Seoul National University, developed with Hyundai Department Store Group, aims to cultivate specialized talent for the evolving retail sector.

Why it is important: By investing in education, Hyundai Department Store Group is proactively addressing talent shortages and preparing future leaders for a rapidly changing market.

Hyundai Department Store Group has partnered with Seoul National University to launch South Korea’s first university-level retail major, marking a significant step in industry-academia collaboration. The Retail-linked Major Program, set to begin next year, will integrate disciplines such as business, consumer science, fashion, food, and economics, reflecting the complexity and convergence of modern retail. Ten professors will develop and oversee the curriculum, while nine Hyundai affiliates—including department stores, home shopping, fashion, food, and living brands—will contribute practical expertise, special lectures, and credit-linked internships. This hands-on approach ensures students gain real-world experience through projects closely tied to actual business operations. The initiative addresses the urgent need for specialized talent as the retail sector adapts to rapid technological and consumer shifts, setting a new standard for how academic institutions and retail groups can collaborate to foster innovation and secure the industry’s future.

IADS Notes: Hyundai Department Store Group’s partnership with Seoul National University to launch South Korea’s first retail-focused university major reflects a broader industry movement toward talent development and academic collaboration. As highlighted by The Chosun Daily in September 2025, Hyundai’s cross-border partnerships and innovation-driven strategies underscore the need for new skills and interdisciplinary expertise in retail. The group’s significant investments in education, such as its 30 billion won commitment to K-fashion startup Mediquaters (The Chosun Daily, June 2025), and its comprehensive value-up plan (Maeil Business Newspaper, November 2024), demonstrate a long-term approach to building advanced talent pipelines. This trend is mirrored internationally, with initiatives like Nordstrom’s certificate course with FIT (Press Release, August 2025) and Printemps’s renewed partnership with ESMOD (Fashion United, September 2025), both of which emphasize practical experience and interdisciplinary learning. The Robin Report in January 2025 and MAD’s June 2025 study further confirm that partnerships between retailers and academic institutions are now central to driving innovation, addressing talent shortages, and preparing the next generation of retail leaders.

Hyundai Department Store Group, Seoul National University Launch Retail Major