Profile

Ramesh Venkat

Sobey School of Business
Marketing

Associate Professor of Marketing
Director, David Sobey Centre

Office: SB 113
Phone: 902-420-5805
Email: ramesh.venkat@smu.ca

I am currently the Director of the David Sobey Centre, which focuses on the retail sector. I am also a faculty in the Marketing Department at the Sobey School of Business.

My background is in Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Strategy. My current focus is on the retail sector. I am interested in studying consumer behaviour as well as marketing-related issues relevant to the retail sector.

I teach courses that have a strong application focus.  I use case studies, simulations, and projects involving companies to provide problem-based and experiential learning opportunities. I have developed and taught many new courses such as Online & Social Media Marketing, Brand Management, Customer Relationship Management, Retail Management, and Retail & Marketing Analytics. I have supervised over 20 graduate students.  I am currently on the committee of one masters and two PhD students.

As the Director of the David Sobey Centre, I have developed several executive programs such as our flagship RISE Program (Retail Innovation, Strategy & Excellence), Category Management, District & Store Manager Development Program, and Retail Analytics.

I currently provide analytics services to small and mid-size retail companies.  I have prior experience in marketing and brand consulting.  I bring this real-life experience to the classroom.

My current research projects include:

  • Study of Innovation Process, Strategy, and Outcomes in the Retail Sector (with Dr. Claudia De Fuentes)
  • Impact of Retail Employee Gratitude on Customer Loyalty (with Katelynn Carter Rogers)
  • Consumer Behaviour in a Crisis (with Katelynn Carter Rogers)

Papers under Review or Preparation for Submission

  • Customer Engagement in Retail Companies (with Katelynn Carter-Rogers, Dr. Gordon Fullerton, and Dr. Miguel Morales)
  • Customer Incivility (with Dr. Camilla Holmvall and Tabatha Thibault)

Projects in Conceptual Stage

  • Understanding Skills Gap of Retail CHROs (with Dr. Wendy Carroll)
  • Study of Brand Preference using EEG/Biometrics (with Katelynn Carter-Rogers, Nichole Michaud)

  • Consumer Behaviour in Retail Settings - shifting preferences, engagement, omnichannel shopping
  • Retail Innovation Process & Strategy
  • Understanding Consumer Behaviour using Biometric Tools (eye-tracking, EEG etc.)
  • Use of Analytics and AI in Retail

  • PhD in Business Administration (Marketing), University of British Columbia
  • MBA (Marketing & MIS), Simon Fraser University