X5 Group and HSE Graduate School of Business Launch Revamped Master's Programme
X5 Group and the HSE Graduate School of Business are relaunching their joint master's programme. Formerly known as the ‘Master's Programme in Retail Management,’ it has been renamed 'B2C Business Management: Technology and Innovation,' with a completely revised curriculum. Students will now focus on customer experience, emerging technologies, and management innovations—highly relevant competencies in today's business landscape.
'B2C Business Management: Technology and Innovation' will be the first specialised master's programme designed to train leaders in retail and e-commerce. Training will be structured around three core pillars—customer experience, emerging technologies, and organisational and operational innovations—incorporating the latest industry trends. The courses offered include Data Science, Business Analytics, Digital Platforms, Digital Marketing, and Omnichannel Customer Experience Management.
The programme is built on the 'experience-first' principle. This approach blends academic depth with hands-on learning: the courses are taught by faculty from the HSE Graduate School of Business, as well as visiting instructors—industry practitioners holding senior positions in the retail sector. X5 Group's top managers actively engage in the programme by delivering specialised courses, lectures, and master classes, as well as organising internships, which enable students to acquire firsthand insights and knowledge.
The master's programme is centred on solving real-world cases and business problems. Throughout their training, students will master specific methods for working with the consumer sector, omnichannel business, and modern retail, while developing strategic thinking and leadership skills. Graduates of the programme are highly sought after and promoted to senior positions by leading companies in sectors such as retail, e-commerce, financial services, and FMCG. The programme is also ideal for those who run their own business or have extensive experience in retail but wish to master innovative approaches and advance their careers.
Vladimir Salakhutdinov
Chairman of the Programme's Academic Committee and First Deputy CEO of X5 Group
'Modern retail is driven by speed, adaptability, technology, and innovative solutions. Not only has Russia been at the forefront of trends in this area, but we are also setting trends by creating unique digital services and delivering the best customer experience in the world. Early-career professionals are increasingly choosing retail. Over the past year, the number of employees aged 18 to 24 at X5 has increased by 12%, reaching more than 43,000 people. The reason for this is that retail offers opportunities to grow and develop skills in various areas, from applying machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to managing complex operational processes and systems. In this joint programme with the Graduate School of Business, we have combined all our experience, expertise, and accumulated knowledge. Students can therefore learn from the advancements made over the years in various areas by the most innovative retailers, including, of course, X5, as the industry leader. We, in turn, are highly interested in early-career specialists, which is why we invest in their development from the very beginning.'
Master's Programme Academic Supervisor, Associate Professor of Practice at the Graduate School of Business, HSE University
'We have updated the structure of the joint master's curriculum with X5 Group, placing a strong emphasis on project-based learning. Consulting projects, group assignments, and internships will help students build an impressive portfolio over the two years, setting the foundation for successful career development or launching their own projects. Modern teaching methods, elective courses, and extracurricular activities will further assist students in developing essential managerial competencies and skills. X5 Group's involvement in the programme not only ensures the relevance of the knowledge acquired but also facilitates students' integration into the professional community through guest lectures, guided tours, and roundtable discussions.’
Applications for admission to the programme in 2025 will be accepted from June 19 to August 15. This year, 63 places are available for students from Russia and one for international students. X5 will offer education grants to the top students.