Preparing the Next Generation of Retail Leaders

I’m Thomas McMillan, Professor of Practice and Director of the Center for Retailing Innovation at Texas A&M University. My work connects students, industry partners, and faculty to real business challenges — building skills, insights, and leaders for the future of retail.

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Bringing the Retail Industry, Ecosystem, and Academia Together

Thomas McMillan brings a practitioner’s perspective to higher education, connecting industry experience with academic leadership to prepare students and organizations for the future of retail.

Experiential Student Programs
Industry Partnerships
Retail and Digital Commerce Innovation
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Areas of Focus

Thomas McMillan’s work spans teaching, leadership, and industry engagement, with a focus on preparing students and organizations for the future of retail and digital commerce.

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Retail & Commerce Innovation

Thomas explores how retailers innovate across business models, merchandising, customer experience, and technology — and how retail continues to evolve across physical, digital, and omnichannel environments.

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Digital Commerce & Merchandising

Drawing on industry and academic experience, he focuses on customer-centric digital commerce, category strategy, and merchandising approaches shaped by changing consumer behavior and market dynamics.

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Experiential Learning & Student Programs

Through large-scale, industry-connected programs, Thomas designs experiential learning opportunities that integrate classroom concepts with real-world retail challenges and career preparation.

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Industry Partnerships & Collaborations

Working with retailers, brands, and technology and service provider partners, he builds collaborations that support education, applied learning, and talent development across the retail ecosystem.

Latest Thinking

Occasional reflections on retail, digital commerce, education, and the evolving retail ecosystem.

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