Learning and development (L&D) is a growing priority among retailers, much like blockchain adoption has quietly become a strategic layer in financial services. In fact, as a recent report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) revealed, it may be the only opportunity they have amid today’s uncertainties.

Speaking to SHRM, industry leaders discussed the cost of upskilling retail workers and sales staff and its impact on customer satisfaction elements such as customer service and product knowledge.

Deloitte’s latest survey confirms that most retail executives are working towards retaining and prepping staff for the future. Part of this investment, if not the most crucial, involves finding the right learning management system (LMS) for their needs.

Know Your Employees

It sounds obvious, but too often, businesses fail to understand their employees’ learning needs. Take onboarding as an example. Done right, it should spark confidence and growth. Done poorly, it can leave new hires questioning their decision to join.

A recent survey of 1,156 U.S. employees highlights both sides of the story. On the positive side, 65% said onboarding marked the beginning of a continuous learning journey, and 73% reported being satisfied with their experience. But the cracks show early: nearly two in five admitted they felt unsure about their new role during onboarding. The reasons? Training overload and too much focus on paperwork rather than practical, role-specific learning.

In retail, the value of an LMS platform isn’t measured by its features, but by whether employees are learning and growing. That’s where customizability comes in. A platform that allows managers to create engaging, role-specific training turns learning from a checkbox exercise into a powerful performance improvement engine.

Determine the Ideal Loadout

LMS platforms are rich in features, but not all will be applicable for L&D in retail.

A good way to form an effective training program involves understanding the basics of retail work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), retail sales workers typically perform the following activities:

  • Greet customers and assist them in their retail needs
  • Recommend products based on customer preferences
  • Explain product information to customers clearly
  • Answer customers’ inquiries as best they can
  • Demonstrate how the product or service works
  • Facilitate transactions (e.g., operating the cash register)
  • Inform customers about ongoing promos and policies

Most of these activities require developing a retail worker’s soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, time management, and adaptability. While some books and other resources can teach these skills, they’re better trained in practice.

A strong LMS platform should:

  • Allow training employees at a manageable pace (microlearning)
  • Enable easy sharing of training materials (collaboration)
  • Access training materials from various retail systems (integration)

Of course, finding the right solution isn’t always about narrowing down to the cheapest option. It’s about identifying a cost-effective LMS that meets these needs and offers additional features to keep training engaging.

Why Retail Workers Rely on LMS Training to Grow

Retail workers often build their skills on the job rather than in a classroom. And that’s exactly where a retail LMS proves its worth. An LMS delivers learning in the flow of work — practical, immediate, and relevant.

Leading retailers already invest in this approach. Walmart, for example, supports employee education by financing formal study, but it’s their on-the-job learning programs that create everyday impact. For most retail workers, an effective L&D program is their primary pathway to developing essential skills, from customer service to leadership.

That’s why choosing the right LMS matters. The platform should provide high-quality, cost-effective training that equips workers with real competencies, not abstract theory. And while price is a factor, the focus should be on total value — balancing affordability with features, strategy, and reliable support. Done right, a retail LMS doesn’t replace formal education. It creates something more immediate: a training environment that meets employees where they are and prepares them for where they want to go.

As retail heads into an uncertain future, retailers must develop their workforce’s skills to be ready for anything. Investing in an LMS platform matters, but investing in the right one matters more.

This industry announcement article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.