Established in 1983, the Purdue Retail Institute (PRI) serves as the bridge between profit and nonprofit organizations seeking retail-related educational and research resources and Purdue University 's outstanding retail management program. Recognized as the premier university-based retailing center in the Midwest , the Institute focuses on four goals:

• building mutually beneficial educational and research collaborations between retail organizations, their industry partners, and Purdue University

• supporting retailers in their quest to deliver greater value through innovation and the implementation of cutting-edge technology

• helping businesses to better manage diversity in the workplace and to successfully meet the needs of an increasingly diverse and multi-cultural consumer marketplace

• creating professional development and scholarship opportunities for all Consumer Sciences and Retailing undergraduate and graduate students