Baker Retailing Center

Baker Retailing Center We bring together academia, industry, and students to connect on all things retail. The Jay H. In 2010 the Bakers endowed the Center permanently.

Baker Retailing Center, an interdisciplinary industry research center at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, was established in 2002 through a generous gift by Jay and Patty Baker. Jay Baker, former president of Kohl's Corporation, is a graduate of the Wharton School, class of 1956. Wharton, the nation’s first business school, has partnered with the leaders of America’s largest industry to establish an unparalleled center for retail research, education, and practice.

Paris highlights from our “Luxury Branding and Retailing” Block Trip. Thanks to Prof. Barbara Kahn - great learning expe...
05/18/2026

Paris highlights from our “Luxury Branding and Retailing” Block Trip. Thanks to Prof. Barbara Kahn - great learning experience for our MBAs 🙌

05/15/2026

POV: You joined the Baker Retail Trek and had the best day with your friends 🛍️

Curious about our next trek?

05/05/2026

Baker Buzz: What brand screams “Penn Student” to you?

04/23/2026

Designing the Future of Hospitality and Retail: Our student social media team had the chance to attend this year’s conference and share a few of their favorite sessions.

Looking ahead, what topics should we address in 2027?

Spring ‘26 Retail Trek to 🛍️During this experience, students were able to engage directly with professionals from Bulga...
04/21/2026

Spring ‘26 Retail Trek to 🛍️

During this experience, students were able to engage directly with professionals from Bulgari, Netflix House, Eataly, Simon Property Group, and Lafayette 148, and more.

Missed this trek? Head to our website and sign up for future event/email updates 📧

Last week, we brought some of the sharpest minds in hospitality and retail together ’s Tangen Hall. Kicking off our inau...
04/17/2026

Last week, we brought some of the sharpest minds in hospitality and retail together ’s Tangen Hall. Kicking off our inaugural “Designing the Future of Hospitality & Retail” conference, guests had a full day of honest conversation about where the industry is headed.

Hotel owners and operators. Wellness innovators. Sports teams building cities within cities. Chefs and club founders redefining what it means to gather.

Thank you to every speaker who showed up and gave the room something real, along with everyone who made it happen: Paul Hastings LLP, Wharton Travel + Hospitality, Wharton Real Estate Club, PE/VC Club, and Penn Carey Law Real Estate Club.

Spent last week in Las Vegas at .spring 2026, for three days with 10,000 retail leaders talking about where this industr...
04/03/2026

Spent last week in Las Vegas at .spring 2026, for three days with 10,000 retail leaders talking about where this industry is actually going.

From AI reshaping how people discover and buy, to the evolving role of brand loyalty and what it really takes to build emotional connections with shoppers — the conversations were sharp and the insights real.

The best way to shape the next generation of retail innovation? Be part of the conversation.

The Strait of Hormuz carries more than a quarter of global seaborne oil trade. Right now, it’s closed.85% of polyethylen...
03/24/2026

The Strait of Hormuz carries more than a quarter of global seaborne oil trade. Right now, it’s closed.

85% of polyethylene exports from the Middle East move through this route, meaning the price of packaging, automotive components, and consumer goods is already rising. The outward ripple hits every shelf in every store.

But this isn’t new. The Red Sea. COVID. US-China tariffs. Over half of global CEOs now say geopolitical conflict is the #1 risk to their company’s growth, and the retailers winning aren’t just reacting faster.

~40% of U.S. companies are already moving supply chains closer to home, diversifying sources, and building strategies that don’t collapse when one chokepoint does.

That’s the challenge. Can you build one?

👝Winner receives our Dagne Dover giveaway.

Link in bio! 3/31 deadline.

03/18/2026

Insights from Amanda Baldwin (WG06), CEO , and Oliver Chen (WG06), Managing Director , our latest Exec. Speaker Series guests.

🏡Next up: April 1, Matthew Seigel (C02), Co-founder

Address

3819 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
19104

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(215) 573-8245

Website

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