4 Best LMS for the Retail Sector

Continuous investment in employee training and development is essential for success in today’s competitive retail landscape. The right learning management system (LMS) for retail sector businesses will streamline the training process, improve employee performance, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Many different providers offer platforms specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the retail sector. However, the following four learning management systems are best placed to empower your workforce to deliver exceptional customer service and drive business growth.

Best Overall Retail LMS: Axonify

Axonify offers the best overall package for businesses looking to empower their frontline workers. Axonify’s platform equips frontline retail workers with the knowledge and skills required to deliver memorable customer experiences, drive sales with extensive product knowledge, and boost operational efficiency.

Their platform’s science-based approach and microlearning modules make it easy for retail workers to complete short training sessions during a lull in work, on a coffee break, or while waiting for the next customer.

Axonify understands that empowering frontline workers is what fuels growth, as a business can only be as successful as its employees. This philosophy is backed up by research, which explains that individual advancement has flow-on benefits for hierarchical execution, quality, and consumer loyalty (page 291 of the document).

Main Features

AI-powered learning and reinforcement: Axonify is powered by advanced AI to deliver customized and intelligent reinforcement, meaning frontline workers retain their skills and knowledge over time.
Seamless onboarding process: New hires benefit from swift and effective onboarding that gets them on the floor as quickly as possible and ready to hit sales targets from day one.
Real-time communication and feedback: Axonify offers embedded communication tools in over 60 languages. This allows associates and managers to stay connected across multiple locations and makes Axonify an especially suitable solution for international retail chains.
Task management and operational guidance: This feature ensures that retail employees have practical examples of how to apply their training in their customer-facing roles. For example, workers in department stores will benefit from units on personal shopping or how to style key fashion pieces from the upcoming seasonal collection.
Gamification: Associates earn points and badges for their achievements in Axonify. The platform also facilitates “above-and-beyond” game features such as arcade-style adventures, sports games, and brain puzzles.
Data-driven insights: Robust analytics deliver useful insights into employee performance, skills, and tasks. This will shape how they’re trained on core competencies and trends in the retail industry going forward.

Pros and Cons

PROS	CONS
This platform focuses on frontline retail workers who have direct contact with customers. This drives specific learning for operations metrics.	No free trial option.
Instant access to more than 800 microlearning topics ranging from customer service modules to health and safety.	Pricing options are only available on request.
A focus on minutes-a-day training for a long-term commitment to learning.
Gamified and fully customizable: Includes fun, engaging, and relevant content for retail associates.
Leads to a 90% reduction in onboarding time.

Best Retail LMS for Collaborative Teams: 360 Learning

360 Learning offers retail LMS software with a focus on a flexible and collaborative learning environment. This option is great for teams that prioritize social learning, offering interactive modules that encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and engagement within teams.

360 Learning’s course leans toward a mobile-first approach, reflecting the widespread use of mobile devices on shop floors around the world. Their interactive retail employee training materials offer an engaging learning experience that slots seamlessly into employees’ schedules.

Learners will benefit from advanced tools like fully customizable course templates, interactive forums to encourage discussion and engage retail staff, AI-powered quizzes, and dynamic training experiences.

Main Features

Collaborative learning: 360 Learning offers a strong platform for retail industry associates to learn from each other, share insights, and build community via the course’s threads, forums, and virtual classrooms. Associates can share insights on things like the importance of display layout or how to promote sale items.
Intuitive course creation and management: Retail-specific training on product launches or seasonal changes can be quickly and easily updated to reflect changes in this fast-paced industry.
Focus on gamification and engagement: 360 Learning’s gamification tools boost learner motivation and engagement.
Integrated content creation and customization: Retail trainers can easily create content using the platform’s customizable course templates and integrated video recordings. Trainers can also embed web-based files and create surveys to get feedback on the course.
Synchronous and asynchronous learning: This platform supports both real-time and self-paced learning, making it flexible for different learners and offering more freedom in how training is delivered.

Pros and Cons

PROS	CONS
Strong option for workplaces that prioritize collaboration and social learning.	Weak live session feature that doesn’t include Events pages or Zoom integrations. This reduces its appeal for blended learning.
Offers flexibility with the option of self-paced learning.	Content creation capabilities aren’t as developed as some users would like. External tools are required for interactive resources and gamification.
Mobile-first learning will appeal to tech-minded employees and workers with busy schedules.

Best Retail LMS for Improving Training Programs: AcademyOcean

AcademyOcean is a good option for retail businesses seeking to improve their employee training programs. It offers an advanced LMS for the retail sector and boasts one of the most powerful platforms for continuous employee training and development. AcademyOcean’s platform provides a wide range of tools that facilitate efficient and engaging onboarding, continuous learning on retail-oriented trends or innovations, and compliance training.

Main Features

Centralized training portals: Develop consistent training materials for all your retail locations with centralized portals to manage course content.
Adaptive learning paths: Adaptive courses offer effective retail training for employees—whether they’re new hires or seasoned associates—and facilitate role-specific adaptations for improved performance and employee retention.
Automated onboarding: Instant access to training means new hires can start their learning journey immediately. This will help them become productive retail associates as quickly as possible and may reduce turnover. This is particularly important for seasonal workers brought in for rush times like Christmas when their contribution is needed from the word go.
Engaging, customizable content creation: Create dynamic interactive content like simulations of real associate-customer interactions that promote learner motivation and engagement and align with your business’s needs.
Analytics and reporting: The platform pinpoints knowledge gaps and areas for improvement to make your training courses as efficient as possible.

Pros and Cons

PROS	CONS
As a cloud-based solution, AcademyOcean doesn’t require installation.	AcademyOcean doesn’t provide a free trial.
Access to mobile versions facilitates learning on the go.	Inflexible pricing model and lack of scalability put the platform out of reach for smaller businesses.
Separate portals for employees and partners.	Lack of integrations that export leads to the business’s CRM or email marketing or sales departments.
Customizable features with the Pro and Premium versions.	Dated design and lack of detail to visual appeal make the platform less appealing than some of its rivals.

Best Retail LMS for Blended Learning: Tovuti

Blended learning is an ideal solution for businesses that don’t want to move 100% of their training online. Tovuti is a great option for businesses that prefer this model as it enables them to develop, manage, and deliver excellent blended learning courses that combine online and in-person retail training. Their LMS for retail offers diverse content options plus gamification and collaboration tools.

Main Features

User management: Comprehensive management tools streamline the management of users, groups, and roles.
Engagement tools: Learners stay engaged and motivated through interactive gamification features.
Reporting and analytics: Easy tracking of key metrics to ensure training goals are being met and identify areas for future improvement.
Blended learning support: Offers a holistic learning approach by leveraging the platform’s capabilities to deliver online and face-to-face sessions.
Content management: The platform’s organized content repository allows learners to access training materials at their convenience. These include presentations, PDFs, podcasts, and webinars.
Integration capabilities: Tovuti can connect with over 2,000 software platforms via API integrations.

Pros and Cons

PROS	CONS
Easy-to-use interface without a steep learning curve.	Technical support can take a long time to respond.
Accessible from a mobile device.	Limited customization options.
Embraces blended learning and adapts to different learning styles.

Invest in Online Retail Training for Continuous Business Growth

Many retail-oriented LMSs offer effective retail operations training for new or experienced associates. Your business’s retail success ultimately relies on the efficiency and motivation of its workers, making investing in continuous learning a no-brainer.

Look for an LMS that offers an approach to learning that aligns with your business and balances experience in the retail industry with a strong focus on practical, long-term knowledge acquisition. Your team’s training journey will take your business to the next level as you continuously develop engaged, knowledgeable, and motivated workers with the right LMS.

Guest writer.