How to prepare the young generation for jobs in retail and make them stay?

They are ready to get to work!

Young people under the age of 25 often need to find jobs fast. In retail, there are now more open jobs than ever, but many applicants are afraid of the positions where they interact with customers. Why? They are scared of not knowing too much in their first weeks in a new job. Remember when you wanted advice on buying a winter jacket and the staff was not there or was busy unpacking new merchandise and trying to avoid you?

The concern of young people that they will learn very slowly after starting a new job is in many cases right. When most recruiting takes place (typically during Christmas and summer season), stores are busy and there simply isn't time for proper training. Store managers need their most experienced staff for store operations rather than passing on knowledge to the younger colleagues. Organizing full-day training in the form of workshops is even more complicated and costs a lot of money. There are difficulties to do it onsite when the store is open all day. During peak store times, situations full of stress and chaos often unfold between colleagues because the support staff simply cannot keep up the pace. Not good.

?Keeping staff turnover low

There is on average 35 % sales assistant turnover during the probation period, based on our experience.

Large retail brands manage to keep the turnover rate to a reasonable level. Why you ask, do employees of strong brands typically stay longer? It is because HR departments had started to realize the importance of effective employee training. Walmart in the US uses Oculus VR to train employees on the latest in-store technology. The result? They were able to reduce training modules that previously took 8 hours in the classroom to just 15 minutes.

Young people are used to the latest technology, especially the apps to gain new knowledge. It is scientifically proven that people absorb information better if they feel safe and comfortable. A lot of brands are now starting to use apps with real-life scenarios created in a virtual environment. Tired after a long day? No problem, the training module will wait for you, or you can repeat it whenever you feel like it. Don't feel comfortable in role-play situations in a crowded room? Try it out in the comfort of your own home and then try it out during working hours. Better, right? Virtual e-learning technology is now accessible to everyone

?The landscape is constantly changing, and employee training needs to move with the tide. At peopleTOretail we see this change happening right now and are so much looking for the future!

?Here's to happy employees and a great customer experience!

All the best

peopleTOretail