BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Center for Education and Research in Retail at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business announced a partnership with global fashion, beauty and lifestyle e-retailer SHEIN. The partnership with SHEIN will provide Kelley students a first-hand perspective of the company’s supply chain as a means of delivering quality products to customers around the world, while highlighting the economic growth SHEIN is bringing to Indiana.
“Clothing, accessories and fashion choices are important for many college-aged students. SHEIN offers a unique shopping experience through its mobile app, which has proven itself as a winner with younger shoppers. We appreciate the opportunity to offer Kelley students a glimpse into a global ecommerce leader,” said John Talbott, director of the center and a senior lecturer of marketing at Kelley.
The partnership coincides with the recently announced establishment of SHEIN’s distribution center in Whitestown, Indiana, which will serve as the company’s main hub in the Midwest. SHEIN plans to employ approximately 850 Hoosier workers at the site by the end of 2022.
“The partnership with Kelley was a natural fit for us. Like SHEIN, the Kelley School is a global institution, and it has remarkable centers of excellence in retailing and marketing, as well as top programs in operations and business analytics,” said Mark Aitken, vice president of U.S. Public Affairs at SHEIN. SHEIN has strong alumni connections within Indiana University, including our chief data privacy officer and our global head of ESG, who have degrees from IU. We are thrilled to deepen our association with the school.”
The center has partnered with retailers to develop relevant curriculum that ensures students are successful in their careers. Graduates have gone on to executive leadership roles with companies like Target, Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Home Depot. Others have started their own retail businesses or work in retail consulting to advise companies.
Through the partnership, the center will be able to provide more opportunities for students seeking experience at a global company. With operations around the world, SHEIN’s team of nearly 10,000 employees serve customers in more than 150 countries. In addition to facilitating a study of the new facility’s impact on the local Indiana area, Kelley students as well as those involved with Kelley’s Retail Workshop will be able to participate in learning sessions under a new fellowship program with SHEIN personnel.
“Many highly capable and qualified students take our retail courses. This program creates a unique experience for American students who want to learn about international business and commerce. Likewise, it is ideal for our international students who could attend business schools in their own countries but join us as they want to understand America and our business culture,” Talbott said. “These students are especially qualified for international companies, who may send them back here in more senior roles down the road to run U.S. operations.”
“The value of this partnership is the opportunity to create global learning, internships and career opportunities, and to position our center as one that is not just a resource for domestic companies, but really for global retail,” he added.
Kyle Anderson, clinical assistant professor of business economics and faculty chair of the Evening MBA Program at Kelley IUPUI, will be conducting a research study into the economic impact of SHEIN’s new distribution facility on central Indiana.
About the Indiana University Kelley School of Business
For more than 100 years the Indiana University Kelley School of Business has prepared students to lead organizations, start companies, develop new products and services, and shape business knowledge and policy. With campuses in Bloomington and Indianapolis, and online worldwide, its programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation, its faculty members are internationally recognized for their teaching and thought leadership, and businesses around the globe hire its highly qualified graduates. Kelley features an innovative curriculum built on personal development, teamwork, and experiential learning with an emphasis on global and social responsibility, which is reflected in the accomplishments of more than 123,000 living alumni. For more information, go to kelley.iu.edu.
About SHEIN
Founded in 2012, SHEIN is a leading global online retailer with key operation centers in Guangzhou, Singapore and Los Angeles, along with other major markets. SHEIN reaches consumers across more than 150 countries around the world. We place a premium on choice, delivering more than 6,000 new fashion, beauty and lifestyle products daily with more than 600,000 items available. Our mission is to help people express their individuality through the latest trends that are accessible and affordable. To learn more about SHEIN, follow us at shein.com and instagram.com/sheinofficial.