Training campaigns for peak periods: how to do it smart

Only 24% of frontline employees feel well trained. And according to research by Chain Store Age, 40% don't even know exactly what is expected of them. Training is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it's business-critical. Especially during peak periods like the holidays, sales events or seasonal transitions. Because you want your team to be ready, confident and performing from day one.

Peak periods in retail are when everything hits at once: packed shops, temporary staff, full calendars and customers who want everything, fast. Throw in an annual frontline turnover of 60% (yes, really) and you've got the perfect storm. (Source: McKinsey, 2022)

So no, training just before the peak isn’t optional. It’s essential.

How to approach a training campaign during peak times

There’s no magic formula, of course. But there are things that work, time and again. Here's how we support retail clients in setting up smarter, more effective training campaigns.

1. Start by listening

When does it really get intense? What are the pressure points? Where do people get stuck? We gather input from team leads, frontline staff and even customers. Not guesswork, just proper listening.

2. Think small, smart and just-in-time

Forget full-day workshops and endless e-learnings. In peak periods, microlearning, nudges and short practice-based moments work better. They slot right in between stacking shelves and running the till. Timing and relevance are everything.

3. Let AI do some of the heavy lifting

AI can help make learning more personal. Think of content that adapts to user behaviour, or automated feedback after common mistakes. Still, 84% of organisations aren’t using this yet. In our eyes? A missed opportunity.

4. Build learning into the workday

Training shouldn't live on an island. We embed learning into the actual workflow, in daily kick-offs, apps or even the POS system. Not an extra task, just part of the job. TrainingIndustry calls this one of the most effective ways to make knowledge stick. (Source: TrainingIndustry, 2020)

5. Measure what matters

Forget tick-box dashboards. What you really want to know: how fast is a new hire up to speed? Are fewer mistakes being made? Has staff turnover gone down? That’s the real impact of training.

6. Reflect (and improve)

After the peak, take a breath and then look back. What worked? What didn’t? Which learning moments made a difference? Build on that for next time. (Cake optional, but recommended 🎂)

What’s the impact?

A strong training campaign during peak periods leads to:

• Faster onboarding
• Fewer mistakes, less stress, happier customers
• Teams that hold up, even when it’s hectic
• Higher engagement and lower turnover
• A customer experience that sticks (and so does your revenue)

What the numbers tell us

• While many companies rely on on-the-job training, 84% still don’t use AI tools. Even though the demand for personalised learning is growing. (Source: TD.org, 2025)
• In retail, average turnover sits around 60% per year. High-performing teams can drive up to 3% more revenue. (Source: McKinsey, 2022)
• Research in other industries (like construction) shows that solid training strengthens employees' sense of connection and that directly improves retention. (Source: MDPI, 2025)

Know what to do when the pressure is on

The holiday season isn’t just busy, it’s a test. Can your team handle the pressure, avoid mistakes and keep customers coming back? With the right training campaign, you don’t have to hope for the best — you're prepared.

Want to know how TinQwise can help your retail team prepare for the next peak? Let’s talk before the rush begins.