Industry
Retail

From shop floor to senior leadership

Develop your retail workforce through immersive, outdoor learning experiences.

The retail industry is under constant pressure to:
Deliver exceptional customer experiences
Build confident, capable frontline leaders
Strengthen team collaboration across stores and functions
Improve retention in a high-turnover environment
Respond quickly to changing consumer behaviour and market demands
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Why outdoor development training matters for the Retail Industry

Retail is fast-paced, people-focused and performance-driven. Outdoor, experiential training mirrors the realities of the retail environment — pressure, unpredictability, teamwork and customer impact.

51%

of corporate training programs now include experiential learning as a core component

75%

higher skill retention is achieved by learners compared to classroom-based training

85%

of participants say experiential learning improves their ability to apply skills directly on the job

92%

of employers say it is vital for career readiness, and 91% prefer candidates with this type of experience

30%

boost in employee engagement is seen by companies using experiential learning.

21%

higher productivity is achieved by organisations with highly engaged employees, demonstrating the operational impact of immersive development programmes

Explore our development programmes – each one tailored to your business needs.

Early Careers Training
With our Corporate Training we can provide Early Careers training and support which can help new employees kick-start their career. Learn more online today
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Leadership Training
Are you looking to develop your future management team? We will design a programme for you that markedly improves performance.
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Corporate Team Building
Are you looking to bring together your team to improve relationships and communication before your next big project? We will design a programme for you that markedly improves performance.
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Apprenticeships: Building the future of retail talent

Apprenticeships play a critical role in building resilient, future-ready retail teams. For retail employers, apprenticeships are not just about filling vacancies — they are about building long-term leadership capability and sustainable growth. As the sector evolves through digital transformation, omnichannel operations and changing consumer expectations, apprenticeships provide:

Hands-on experience

Apprentices apply skills directly in-store and within live business environments.

Future-ready capability

Programmes can align to digital retail, customer experience, and leadership skills required for modern retail operations.

Broader access to talent

Apprenticeships widen participation and help address skills gaps across the sector.

Business expertise

Develop talent that understands your brand, culture and customer promise from day one.

Improved retention

Employees are more likely to stay when they see clear progression pathways.

Improved productivity

Apprentices contribute to operational performance while they train, supporting efficiency, quality standards, and continuous improvement across the business.

Why Skern Training & Skills?

  • 30+ years’ experience developing UK workforces - trusted by national brands, multi-site operations and growing businesses.
  • The outdoors as a vehicle for learning - Not just a backdrop, every challenge is designed to reveal behaviour, build insight and drive reflection.
  • Fully experiential learning - No passive classroom theory. From problem-solving challenges to high-impact team tasks, every activity embeds practical skills.
  • Bespoke, business-aligned design: Whether your focus is customer experience, leadership succession, retention or cultural alignment, we create fit-for-purpose programmes tailored to your goals.
  • Safe, sustainable and professionally delivered: High safety standards and a strong environmental ethos underpin every programme.
“Leader & observer activities built confidence, flexibility and real-world leadership skills we could apply straight back at work.”
— John Lewis course participant

Don’t just take our word for it....

Course participant feedback from the automotive industry

Find out how we can support your business

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