The retail industry is one of the world’s largest employers. According to the most recent estimates by the International Labor Organization (ILO), some 420.5 million people are employed globally in the wholesale and retail trade sector, accounting for 13.2 % of all employment.
In South Africa, the retail sector is the second-largest employer after the government and the third-largest sector of the economy, providing jobs for more than 20% of the workforce.
However, the industry constantly faces the challenge of high employee turnover. This leads to logistical and financial headaches for retailers because when an employee resigns, it’s not just a case of losing someone to cover a shift; they take their knowledge, relationships, and experience with them. Let’s discuss why this happens and explore how you can effectively reduce retail employee turnover with eLearning.
Here are the leading causes of turnover in retail:
- Poor management practices impact retention, particularly when supervisors lack proper leadership, communication, and conflict resolution training.
- Understaffing, unrealistic sales targets, and pressure to upsell create high-stress environments that lead to burnout.
- Inadequate training and onboarding processes leave employees feeling unprepared for their roles.
- A lack of recognition for good performance makes workers feel undervalued and replaceable.
- Limited advancement opportunities frustrate ambitious employees with no clear path for professional growth.
- Many retail positions are viewed as “dead-end jobs” with minimal skill development opportunities, causing workers to leave for roles that offer better long-term career prospects.
- The absence of meaningful professional development programs or educational support further reinforces the perception that retail work offers no career growth.
Training Millennial and Gen Z retail staff is non-negotiable, as they expect growth opportunities, thrive on purpose-driven work, and drive the future of customer experience.
What are the Benefits of Training and Development for Retail Staff?
It’s essential for organisations to invest in training and development, not only for employee growth but also to ensure long-term competitiveness and reduce employee turnover in retail. Here’s what the data says:
- 94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invests in their learning. (LinkedIn Learning)
- Companies with strong training programs report a 24% higher profit margin. (Association for Talent Development)
- 74% of employees feel they aren’t reaching their full potential due to a lack of development opportunities. (PWC)
- 59% say training improves their overall job performance. (SurveyMonkey)
- 76% of employees say they are more likely to stay at a company that offers continuous training. (SHRM)
How to Reduce Retail Employee Turnover with eLearning
The right training approach can change retail workers’ negative perceptions of the Industry by empowering them, improving their job satisfaction, and even opening doors for long-term career growth.
One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by using digital training solutions to streamline onboarding, efficiently upskill staff, and help employees see retail as a career, not just a job.
Let’s take our PNA case study as an example. With assistance from the New Leaf team, PNA implemented the aNewSpring LXP (Learning Experience Platform), structuring its employee development around three progressive phases that align training with career progression.
New starters receive streamlined “need to know” content to avoid overwhelming newcomers, while intermediate employees can access more advanced materials focused on specific product knowledge. The next phase provides career development opportunities and advanced training, enabling employees to contribute meaningfully to PNA’s vision and mission. This creates a structured pathway from onboarding through to professional advancement.
The LMS implementation delivered significant cost savings by eliminating the need for external instructors and physical training facilities. Personalised learning paths ensured employees gained relevant knowledge that improved performance and adherence to company standards. This created a continuous learning culture, directly contributing to PNA’s overall growth and success.
Why eLearning is a Game-Changer for Retail Training
1. Fast and Consistent Onboarding
High turnover means frequent new hires; without a structured onboarding process, employees can feel overwhelmed and unsupported. Online learning solves this in a few key ways:
- Provides standardised training modules that every employee completes.
- Allows new hires to learn at their own pace, reducing information overload.
- Ensures that all staff receive the same foundational knowledge (e.g., product information, customer service skills, POS systems).
- Saves on in-person training, which can be inconsistent, time-consuming, and costly.
2. Flexible, Engaging Training for Busy Retail Schedules
Retail employees often work irregular shifts, making it difficult to schedule traditional training sessions. Online training offers simple solutions:
- eLearning allows staff to complete training in their own time, whether on a store tablet during downtime or from home.
- Microlearning (short, interactive modules) fits into a retail worker’s busy day, increases employee engagement, and prevents burnout caused by long, tedious sessions.
3. Upskilling Employees for Career Growth
Many retail workers leave because they don’t see any advancement opportunities. Employers can fix this by offering:
- Skills development (e.g., leadership courses, inventory management, and sales techniques).
- Certifications that prepare employees for promotions (e.g., shift supervisor, store manager).
- Personalised learning paths that align with career goals.
4. Real-Time Performance Tracking
Managers often struggle to track who has completed training, especially in the case of large or multi-location retailers. eLearning platforms offer automated tracking and reporting. This automation provides data that helps retailers by:
- Centralising company-wide training information in one easy-to-use dashboard.
- Ensuring compliance and highlighting skill gaps.
- Identifying training deficiencies before they affect performance.
- Recognising high-potential employees for advancement.
- Continuously improving training content based on engagement metrics.
Benefits of eLearning in Retail Training
How to Make Retail eLearning Simple and Fun
Implementing eLearning doesn’t have to be complicated. New Leaf Technologies offers user-friendly, scalable solutions tailored for retail training, including:
- Mobile-friendly courses that can be accessed on any device, ideal for on-the-floor training.
- Gamification and scenario-based learning to boost engagement and knowledge retention.
- Customisable eLearning content that engages AI to adapt training to your brand’s specific products, policies, and culture.
- Seamless LMS integration that ensures easy deployment with minimal IT hassle.
Upskill and Retain Your Retail Staff With NLT
The data is clear: Training and development are not optional extras, but strategic must-haves. Investing in your people today means building resilience, adaptability, and a competitive advantage for tomorrow.
Ready to transform your retail employee training? Explore New Leaf Technologies’ eLearning solutions and contact us to start building a team that grows with your business.
