Does Your Retail Business Need a Training Needs Analysis?
As retailers face growing pressure to boost performance while maintaining tight margins, many are turning to upskilling and reskilling initiatives to build a future-ready workforce. However, without a clear understanding of what training is actually needed, even the best-intended efforts can miss the mark. This is where a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) becomes essential.
For companies serious about developing their teams, a TNA helps ensure training investments are targeted, relevant, and effective. For retailers in particular, the priority must be to upskill staff in core retail competencies, as that is where the greatest business impact is achieved. Improved capabilities can directly translate to increased margins, higher profits, and reductions in both expenses and inventory costs.
A good starting point for any TNA is to adopt or adapt our role-based competency models. Tools like the Junior Buying Competency Table clearly define the competencies required to be considered fully proficient in that role. These job aids can help ensure job descriptions are aligned with actual performance expectations and highlight where training can make the greatest impact.
An effective TNA empowers organizations to:- Prioritize where ROI is the highest
- Improve employee engagement by address real needs
- Boost productivity and sales performance
- Reduce costly turnover through focused development
- Enhance consistency, and service quality
By analysing this data, companies can uncover key skill gaps, anticipate future capability needs, and spot areas where training has been overlooked. The result? A data-driven upskilling strategy that is aligned with business goals, rather than guesswork.
If your organization is looking to define competencies or measure return on learning investment, expert support is available. Our team offers advisory services and tools to help you navigate this process with confidence. Look out for our, soon to be released, introductory video on the optimum approach to upskilling and reskilling your workforce or reserve a copy now.-
Posted by Brian Hume
29th August 2025
