Sales associates play a vital role in the modern economy by providing customer service, advising customers on product selection, and helping to drive store sales. However, the attention economy has drastically changed how retail sales associates need to be trained. With the number of products available, retailers must find innovative ways to capture sales associates’ attention and keep them engaged.  

This means training must be focused on creating an immersive experience that draws their attention to the brand to show up consistently and regularly and keep the brand and its products top of mind.  

One of the main challenges to training sales associates is teaching them how to properly advise customers on product selection. They should be knowledgeable about the products they are selling, so they can help customers make informed decisions. To ensure that your employees are up –to date with the latest product information, provide them with regular training sessions and encourage them to ask questions and do their own research on products. Having a learning community is ideal to enhance this type of interaction.  

It can also be difficult to get retail sales associates to understand the importance of customer service—many view customer service as an unnecessary task that takes away from their ability to make sales. However, providing good customer service is essential for any retail business, as it helps to create a positive experience for customers and encourages them to return in the future.  

To ensure that your employees understand the importance of customer service and have the right mindset and skills to be successful in their roles, it’s important to address soft skills as part of your training programs and offer ongoing coaching and feedback. This will help them quickly process large amounts of information and think critically about customer needs.  

Selling can be tough but don’t worry — with the right training methods and resources, you’ll have your sales associates ready to sell in no time! You’ll have them equipped with the essential skills and knowledge they need for success.