The retail industry in Singapore is dynamic, competitive and everchanging. Recently, the retail sector has faced unprecedented challenges due to the impact of COVID-19, leading to the need for businesses to adapt and enhance their operations for both online and offline commerce. One crucial way retail businesses have adapted is by investing in retail training programs.

Retail training is essential for businesses to stay competitive in a constantly evolving market. It equips employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional customer service, increase sales and profitability, and fosters a better understanding of products and services. Furthermore, it can also help to boost employee morale and job satisfaction, leading to a more productive and efficient workforce.

In this article, we will explore some of the best retail training courses available to businesses in Singapore. Whether you are a small business owner or a large corporation, investing in retail training can contribute to the success of your business.

 

9 Recommended Retail Training Courses for Businesses in Singapore

 

Retail training course SIRS: Creating an Unforgettable Customer Experience

1. SIRS: Creating an Unforgettable Customer Experience

Offered by the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS), “Creating an Unforgettable Customer Experience” is a retail training course that aims to teach associates how to cultivate empathy and deepen connection during customer interactions.

In this training course for retail associates: learners will discover how to deliver an amazing customer experience that projects a favourable brand image and builds brand loyalty. Through roleplay and peer-to-peer class discussions, they’ll practice communication techniques to effectively read body language and direct customer interactions to favourable outcomes.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:

  • Developing a service mindset
  • Understanding customer needs and expectations
  • How to serve different types of customers
  • How to develop empathy and connection in a retail environment

Course Format and Duration: Face-to-face lessons over 2 days (15 hours)

Course Target Audience: Employees with 1-year working experience in retail or 2 years in a non-retail sector

Course Fees and Accreditation: S$475

Course Accreditation or Certification: Learners can earn a WSQ Statement of Attainment upon completion.

 

Retail training course SIRS: Mastering the Art of Selling in New Retail

2. SIRS: Mastering the Art of Selling in New Retail

Mastering the Art of Selling in New Retail” is a SIRS course that covers creative sales techniques in an omnichannel retail environment. This training course for retail associates explains how the retail landscape has changed customer behaviour and how retail employees can better manage these new customer challenges.

Taught face-to-face in a classroom setting over 2 days, learners at this retail training course can participate in roleplay to hone their sales techniques and engage in peer-to-peer class discussions about how to win more customers in the new retail landscape.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:

  • What is an omnichannel retail landscape and how does it differ from a traditional one?
  • Understanding the new retail landscape and changing customer needs
  • How to determine and meet diverse customer requirements
  • How to manage customer challenges in online-to-offline retail situations
  • How to close sales in online-to-offline retail situations

Course Format and Duration: Face-to-face lessons over 2 days (15 hours)

Course Target Audience: Employees with 1-year working experience in retail or 2 years in a non-retail sector

Course Fees and Accreditation: S$475

Course Accreditation or Certification: Learners can earn a WSQ Statement of Attainment upon completion.

 

Retail training course SIRS: Certificate in Retail Operations

3. SIRS: Certificate in Retail Operations

Disruptive technologies have revolutionised the retail industry and created “New Retail”, a fusion of offline and online shopping experiences. Despite this revolution, the human touch still plays an undeniable role in the customer experience.

This retail training course offered by SIRS, Certificate in Retail (Operations), aims to equip both new and existing retail associates with the essential skills to succeed in a “New Retail” world. Topics covered include an introduction to emerging retail technology platforms, online-to-offline customer engagement, solutions-based sales and more.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:

  • Adapt to Change: Recognising and adapting to retail changes that impact the workplace, job roles and responsibility.
  • Service Excellence: Equipping learners with the skills and mindset to provide excellent customer service.
  • Service Challenges: Recognise and address the customer behaviour and service challenges brought about by evolving technology.
  • Service Leadership: Understand the customer journey and the role one plays in contributing to a customer’s experience with the brand.
  • Workplace Communications: Establish a culture of good communication and an awareness of verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Productivity Improvement: Understand how better workplace productivity can positively impact service delivery and the customer experience.

Course Format and Duration: Day Class: 2 months (twice a week), Night Class: 4 months (twice a week)

Course Target Audience: Employees with 1-year working experience in retail or 2 years in a non-retail sector

Course Fees and Accreditation: S$2,851.20

Course Accreditation or Certification: Learners can earn a WSQ Statement of Attainment upon completion.

 

Retail training course LinkedIn Learning: Retail Customer Service

4. LinkedIn Learning: Retail Customer Service

In the world of retail, customer service is a critical component of the sales process. Retail associates have the opportunity to meet customers in person, which can be both exhilarating and daunting. With the right attitude, retail associates can create unforgettable customer experiences that earn brand recognition and loyalty.

In this retail training course, Retail Customer Service, David Brownlee (author of best-selling book Rockstar Service, Rockstar Profits) teaches retail associates techniques to deal with challenging customers, how to show empathy through active listening and master the etiquette of quality service at every touchpoint — from the moment customers walk in the door to the time they spend on hold.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:

  • The importance of customer service in retail
  • Creating a positive attitude to serve positively
  • Key retail associate behaviours for successful customer interactions
  • Best practices in retail etiquette

Course Format and Duration: Online videos and quizzes, 1 hour long

Course Target Audience: New retail associates

Course Fees and Accreditation: LinkedIn Learning subscription fee: S$27.42/mth

Course Accreditation or Certification: LinkedIn Learning Certificate

 

Retail training course LinkedIn Learning: Retail Sales Management

5. LinkedIn Learning: Retail Sales Management

Retail team leaders or even store owners have the crucial role of training and motivating their team members. A good team leader cultivates a positive culture amongst retail associates that translates into a positive customer experience.

In his training course for retail leaders, Retail Sales Management, Noah Fleming (President of Fleming Consulting & Co), shares his expertise on how to create a successful retail team and provide a consistent customer experience. He covers the essential components of effective management, including internal benchmarking, role-playing, and how to ensure you have the right people in the right positions. Noah also delves into strategies for motivating your team, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), and marketing your business to drive growth.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:

  • Introduction to retail sales management
  • Understanding selling as a service
  • How to set up and manage a retail sales team
  • How to set up relevant KPIs in order to motivate a retail team for success

Course Format and Duration: Online videos and quizzes, 30 minutes long

Course Target Audience: Retail store owners, retail managers and team leaders

Course Fees and Accreditation: LinkedIn Learning subscription fee: S$27.42/mth

Course Accreditation or Certification: LinkedIn Learning Certificate

 

Retail training course NTUC LearningHub: Retail Institute

6. NTUC LearningHub: Retail Institute

NTUC LearningHub Retail Institute offers an extensive range of modular retail training courses to help business owners and employees succeed in the competitive retail industry. Tailored to equip learners with the necessary skills to thrive in their respective roles, this collection of training courses for retail professionals covers topics such as retail operations, omnichannel marketing, customer experience, technology and data analytics.

The beauty of these courses is their flexibility – learners have the freedom to fully customise their learning journey based on their specific needs and interests. Whether you’re an aspiring retail entrepreneur or a seasoned retail associate, these courses are a fantastic way to upskill and take your career to the next level.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:
Learning objectives can differ depending on the modules you take. Here are some examples:

  • Retail Operations
    • How to manage inventory in a retail store
    • How to effectively display visual merchandise in an appealing manner
    • How to close sales
  • Omnichannel Marketing
    • How to set up a virtual showroom
    • How to set up and manage a livestream
    • How to start social media marketing
  • Customer Experience
    • How to build customer relationships and loyalty
    • How to create a comfortable and friendly buying experience
  • Technology and Data Analytics
    • How to conduct market research
    • How to identify business trends

Course Format and Duration: In-person lessons lasting 1 – 2 days

Course Target Audience: Aspiring business owners in the retail industry, new retail associates, retail team leaders and managers

Course Fees and Accreditation: From S$200 to S$700

Course Accreditation or Certification: None

 

Retail training course Udemy: Retail Customer Relationship Management

7. Udemy: Retail Customer Relationship Management

Udemy’s Customer Relationship Management: A Retail Perspective is a training course for retail managers, leaders and associates who are required to use customer relationship management (CRM) tools in their line of work.

The course covers the academic understanding and practical knowledge needed to leverage CRM tools to manage customers effectively in a retail environment. You’ll learn how the CRM process impacts customer retention and loyalty, as well as why collecting customer data is critical to business success.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:

  • Introduction to CRM platforms
  • Understanding how CRM tools influence customer retention and loyalty
  • Overview of CRM processes
  • Understand how to collect customer data while avoiding potential privacy issues

Course Format and Duration: Online videos, 45 minutes

Course Target Audience: Business administrators, SME owners, marketing executives, retailers

Course Fees and Accreditation: S$54

Course Accreditation or Certification: Udemy certificate

 

Retail training course EdApp: Selling Strategies and Interacting with Customers

8. EdApp: Selling Strategies and Interacting with Customers

EdApp’s “Selling Strategies and Interacting with Customers” is a training course for retail associates that teaches how to boost sales and create a positive customer experience. The course features lessons on how to greet customers, start conversations, practice active listening and use value-based selling techniques to close a sale.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:

  • Learn how pleasant interactions with customers can lead to more sales in a retail environment
  • Learn how to strike up a conversation with a retail customer
  • Learn how to practice active listening and engage customers in conversations
  • Learn what are value-based selling techniques and how to use them to close a sale

Course Format and Duration: Presentation slides, 30 minutes

Course Target Audience: New sales associates

Course Fees and Accreditation: Free

Course Accreditation or Certification: None

 

Retail training course FirstCom Academy: Effective Selling Skills

9. FirstCom Academy: Effective Selling Skills

FirstCom Academy’s “Effective Selling Skills” is the ideal training course for retail associates looking to improve their sales skills and become top performers in a retail environment. Taught by industry veterans and focused on practical hands-on skills, learners will be taught how to develop the right habits, communication techniques and confidence to manage customer interactions successfully.

Retail Training Course Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the sales cycle and how it affects retail associates and customers
  • Learn about different sales techniques and strategies
  • Learn how to engage customers in a retail environment
  • Understand how to overcome objections

Course Format and Duration: In-person lessons, 2 days

Course Target Audience: Sales executives, retail associates and retail managers

Course Fees and Accreditation: S$800 (Supported by SkillsFuture Singapore, with up to 80% subsidies available)

Course Accreditation or Certification: FirstCom Academy Certificate of Completion, and SkillsFuture WSQ Statement of Attainment

 

Retail Training Can Be a Game-changer for Your Business

With the retail training courses outlined in this article, businesses can equip their employees with the skills and knowledge to provide exceptional customer service, increase sales and profitability, and enhance their overall understanding of products and services. Training your front liners helps your brand stand out in a competitive market and ultimately helps to increase your bottom line.

We encourage all retail businesses, regardless of their size or industry, e.g. a kids bed company, to prioritize investing in retail training for their employees. The benefits of retail training are clear, from improved customer service to higher employee morale and job satisfaction, to increased sales and profitability. By doing so, not only will businesses be able to stay ahead of the competition, but they will also foster a more productive and efficient workforce.