What’s Next for Online Training in Retail: 2025 Trends

10 Dec

What’s Next for Online Training in Retail: Anticipations for 2025

In 2025, retail online training will prioritize personalized, data-driven learning experiences powered by advanced technologies and mobile platforms.

AI-driven personalized learning paths will be tailored to meet individual employee needs, while immersive tools like augmented and virtual reality will provide interactive simulations for skill development.

Microlearning will gain traction, offering bite-sized content that fits seamlessly into employees' busy routines.

Engagement will be boosted through gamification and social learning, making training more enjoyable and collaborative.

AI-powered analytics will support continuous improvement, and mobile-first platforms will ensure flexible, on-demand learning opportunities.

With a growing focus on sustainability and omnichannel strategies, training will also highlight ESG practices and prepare employees to navigate both physical and digital retail landscapes.

Tailored LMS for Retail

As the retail industry continues to evolve, the demand for specialised Learning Management Systems (LMS) has grown significantly.

Traditional 360 LMS platforms no longer meet the unique needs of retail training, driving businesses to seek systems specifically designed for the industry.

These tailored LMS solutions not only offer customised features but also deliver a more personalised and efficient approach to employee development in retail environments.

Key elements of this shift include:

The decline of traditional 360 LMS platforms has led retail businesses to pursue specialised solutions that address their distinct requirements.
These systems feature custom-built tools for retail training, moving beyond generic, one-size-fits-all platforms.
Retailers now need dedicated onboarding solutions that integrate training paths for everything from customer service to product knowledge, with options for custom development to align with brand-specific needs.
A specialised LMS provides access to a dedicated team that works to design bespoke training journeys, including workshops and practical, role-specific content.
Retail-first features such as point-of-sale (POS) integration, mobile learning modules, and in-store simulations are essential for providing practical, on-the-job training that fits the fast-paced nature of the retail environment.

Create a Branded Learning Platform with White-Label and No-Code LMS

White-label and no-code LMS platforms are becoming crucial for brands that want to deliver a fully customized learning experience without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

These systems enable retailers to create a branded learning environment, where the platform’s design, including interface, colors, logos, and content, is tailored to match the company’s identity, ensuring a seamless experience for employees.
With no-code functionality, even teams without technical expertise can easily build and manage custom training modules, streamlining the process of creating, modifying, and deploying learning content.
This flexibility allows brands to design a unified learning journey that reflects their unique values and objectives, free from the constraints of generic LMS platforms.
White-label LMS solutions ensure consistent branding across all employee interactions, making training not only more effective but also reinforcing the company’s messaging and culture at every step.

Goodbye SCORM: Welcome the Future with Agile Authoring Tools

As the digital learning landscape evolves, the limitations of SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) have become increasingly evident.

Once the standard for e-learning, SCORM now struggles to meet the demands of modern retail training environments, particularly when it comes to flexibility, ease of updates, and mobile compatibility.

Enter authoring tools, which are rapidly replacing SCORM as the preferred solution for creating engaging, dynamic learning content. These tools offer a variety of advantages, including:

User-friendly interfaces that allow even non-technical users to create high-quality learning content.
Agile and flexible development processes that enable quick adjustments as training needs evolve.
Effortless updates, ensuring that training materials stay relevant without lengthy redeployment.
Seamless video integration, delivering more engaging multimedia experiences for learners.
Built-in translation features for easy localization of content for global teams.
Access to customizable templates that ensure brand consistency throughout the learning experience.

With all these benefits and more, authoring tools provide a modern, user-friendly alternative to SCORM, perfectly suited to meet the fast-paced demands of today’s retail training environment.

Learning Through Audio and Video

In the evolving retail environment, training methods must adapt to keep learners engaged and informed.

Audio and video-based learning has emerged as a powerful tool for delivering dynamic and effective training experiences. These formats not only cater to diverse learning preferences but also simplify complex concepts, making them easier to understand and retain. As mobile learning continues to rise, audio and video have become essential elements in providing content that is both engaging and accessible. Key benefits of this approach include:

Enhanced engagement, as audio and video capture learners' attention more effectively than text-based materials.
Improved retention, with visual and auditory content making it easier for employees to recall information in real-world situations.
Flexibility for mobile learning, allowing employees to learn on-the-go via smartphones and tablets.
Simplified explanations, with videos ideal for demonstrating product usage, customer service techniques, or complex procedures.
Audio options that enable employees to absorb content while multitasking, such as during commutes or on the shop floor.
Increased accessibility, as videos can be subtitled and audio can be transcribed to support learners with different needs.
Personalised and engaging content, bringing the learning journey to life through interactive and immersive multimedia experiences.

Customized Learning Journeys

As retail training becomes increasingly advanced, the industry is shifting toward personalized learning paths that address the unique needs of each employee.

By blending manual curation with AI-powered solutions, retailers can provide training that is relevant and customized to each worker’s role, skill level, and learning preferences. These innovations ensure employees receive the most appropriate training, accelerating their growth and proficiency in key areas. The key benefits of personalized learning paths include:

Tailored content based on specific roles, ensuring employees focus on what’s most relevant to their daily tasks.
AI-powered algorithms that adapt learning experiences in real-time, offering modules that align with individual progress and knowledge gaps.
Greater efficiency, as employees engage only with the training that supports their development, reducing time spent on irrelevant topics.
Accelerated employee growth, as targeted learning helps workers build skills more quickly and become more effective in their roles.
Increased motivation and engagement, with personalized content that keeps learners invested in their own development journey.
Flexibility to accommodate various learning preferences, whether employees prefer videos, interactive tasks, or hands-on simulations.

Efficient Skill Development Through Nano and Microlearning

In the fast-paced retail world, employees need training that is both effective and seamlessly fits into their demanding schedules.

Nano and microlearning are set to be key strategies for skill development by 2025, offering concise, targeted training modules that can be accessed anytime. Delivered through mobile devices, these short, digestible sessions are ideal for busy retail environments, allowing employees to enhance their skills without significant disruption to their workflow.

The key benefits of nano and microlearning include:

Quick and accessible learning, with brief sessions that fit easily into short breaks or downtime, enabling employees to learn without long absences from their tasks.
Mobile delivery, allowing employees to access training on-the-go, from anywhere, using smartphones or tablets.
Focused, task-specific content, helping employees develop exactly the skills they need for specific tasks, improving efficiency and minimizing irrelevant learning.
Improved retention, as the bite-sized nature of nano and microlearning aids better retention by focusing on one topic at a time.
Reduced time away from responsibilities, enabling employees to upskill without taking time away from their primary duties on the shop floor.
Ongoing skill development, with continuous access to training modules that can be revisited and refreshed as needed.

Game-Based Motivation and Participation

As retail training continues to evolve, gamification is emerging as a powerful tool to enhance employee engagement and motivation.

By integrating features like leaderboards, badges, and rewards, gamified learning transforms training into a more interactive and enjoyable experience. These elements not only inspire employees to complete their training but also promote healthy competition and collaboration.

In 2025, gamification will be essential in reducing turnover and boosting job satisfaction by making learning both rewarding and dynamic. The key benefits of gamification in retail training include:

Leaderboards that track progress and performance, fostering friendly competition and motivating employees to improve.
Badges and achievements that recognize milestones and skills, giving employees a sense of accomplishment as they advance in their training.
Reward systems, where employees earn points or unlock incentives, offering tangible motivation to complete training modules and enhance their skills.
Team-based challenges that encourage collaboration and strengthen the sense of community, motivating employees to work together toward common objectives.
Increased engagement and retention, as gamification turns training into an enjoyable, competitive activity, making employees more committed to their development.
Reduced employee turnover, as a fun and rewarding training experience leads to higher job satisfaction and greater loyalty to the company.

Collaborative Learning and Social Tools

In 2025, social learning and collaboration tools will be central to transforming retail training, reshaping how employees interact with online learning programs.

These tools will offer platforms that encourage employees to share insights, ask questions, and support one another’s growth, creating a more interactive and collaborative learning experience.

By integrating peer-to-peer learning, discussions, and team-based projects into Learning Management Systems (LMS), retail businesses can nurture a sense of community and collective development. The key advantages of social learning and collaboration tools include:

Peer-to-peer learning, enabling employees to share knowledge and best practices, enriching the overall learning experience.
Discussion forums and real-time messaging, providing spaces for employees to ask questions, seek clarity, and exchange ideas in a supportive setting.
Virtual team-based projects, fostering collaboration and teamwork, even among remote employees or those in different locations.
Increased engagement, as employees actively participate in their learning journey, contributing to discussions and gaining insights from their peers.
Knowledge sharing, with seasoned employees helping to upskill newer staff, promoting a culture of continuous learning.
Enhanced problem-solving, as collaborative tools offer a platform for employees to collectively address challenges and find solutions, improving both learning outcomes and workplace efficiency.

Mobile-Centric and On-Demand Learning

As the demand for flexibility in retail training increases, mobile-centric and on-demand learning is poised to become a dominant trend.

In 2025, retailers will prioritize mobile learning platforms, enabling employees to access training content whenever and wherever it fits into their schedules.

This shift makes learning more accessible, integrating it effortlessly into employees' daily routines, whether they’re on break, commuting, or experiencing downtime.

By investing in mobile-first platforms, retailers allow employees to upskill at their convenience, without interrupting their workday. Key benefits of mobile-centric and on-demand learning include:

Learning on-the-go, empowering employees to access training modules via smartphones or tablets during commutes or breaks.
Increased accessibility, as mobile-first platforms make it easier for employees to engage with learning materials outside traditional work hours.
Flexibility, enabling workers to complete training at their own pace, fitting learning around their busy schedules.
Reduced downtime, allowing employees to take advantage of free moments throughout the day to complete short training sessions.
Improved engagement, as mobile platforms deliver interactive and easily digestible content, promoting continuous participation.
Seamless integration, making learning a natural part of employees’ daily routines rather than a separate task requiring dedicated time away from their work.

Video-Based Coaches and Mentors

In 2025, video-based coaches and mentors will play a crucial role in enhancing retail training by giving employees direct access to industry experts and valuable insights.

This approach allows experienced professionals to share their knowledge and offer personalized guidance through engaging multimedia formats.

From pre-recorded videos to live discussions, these tools make learning more interactive and relevant. Retailers will utilize video content, such as podcasts, expert interviews, and live Q&A sessions, to deepen employees' understanding and maintain engagement. Key benefits of video coaches and mentors include:

Video coaches providing personalized training sessions that help employees visualize and better understand key concepts in a dynamic way.
Giving experts a voice, enabling seasoned professionals to share their insights and real-world experiences, enriching the training content.
Podcasts and interviews, offering employees a flexible and convenient way to learn from thought leaders, even while multitasking.
Live discussions with specialists, allowing real-time interaction where employees can ask questions, clarify doubts, and gain deeper insights from industry experts.
Interactive and engaging learning, making training more relatable and aligned with practical retail scenarios, which boosts retention and performance.

Hybrid Learning Strategies

As the retail training landscape continues to evolve, hybrid learning strategies will become increasingly popular as the ideal way to balance flexibility with interactivity.

While online training will remain dominant due to its convenience and accessibility, a blended model that combines e-learning with in-person sessions or virtual instructor-led training will remain essential. This approach ensures that employees benefit from the self-paced nature of online modules while also engaging in discussions, interacting with trainers, and receiving real-time feedback.

The benefits of blended learning include:

Flexibility through e-learning, allowing employees to access content at any time and complete modules at their own pace.
In-person or virtual sessions, where employees can participate in live discussions, ask questions, and clarify doubts with trainers and peers.
Real-time feedback, helping employees correct mistakes or misunderstandings immediately for more effective learning.
Enhanced engagement, with the combination of digital and face-to-face interactions keeping the training experience dynamic and immersive.
Deeper learning outcomes, as blended approaches facilitate the development of more complex skills through hands-on practice and direct support.
Tailored learning experiences, offering the best of both worlds by combining the autonomy of e-learning with the personalization of instructor-led training.

Training Integrated with Omnichannel Strategies

As retailers continue to embrace omnichannel strategies, the need for training that aligns with these multi-channel approaches becomes increasingly crucial.

To keep pace with the integration of physical stores and digital platforms, online training programs will evolve to ensure employees are proficient with new technologies, such as e-commerce systems, mobile apps, and social media selling.

These programs will empower staff with the skills needed to provide a seamless shopping experience, regardless of the platform. The benefits of omnichannel-aligned training include:

Mastery of new technologies, with training focused on essential tools like e-commerce systems, mobile apps, and digital platforms for retail operations.
Seamless integration of physical and digital experiences, helping employees navigate both online and in-store interactions with ease.
Comprehensive knowledge of multiple channels, ensuring employees can manage customer interactions across websites, mobile apps, social media, and brick-and-mortar stores.
Enhanced customer service, as employees are equipped to deliver a consistent, high-quality experience, no matter how customers engage with the brand.
Improved adaptability, allowing employees to easily switch between retail channels and increasing their versatility in an omnichannel environment.
Future-proofed skills, with training designed to prepare employees for ongoing changes in retail technology and consumer behavior.

Pascal Willoughby-Petit