Turnover has become an epidemic in the retail industry, where low-paying, part-time positions are the norm. It's also been frustrating for management personnel who spend time and money training new employees who will probably leave in less than six months. To address this concern, many companies have incorporated e-learning into their training programs as a tool to train employees quickly and efficiently. (E-learning utilizes online high-speed computer applications.)

Nike in particular has experienced success with its "Sports Knowledge Underground" (SKU) training program representing various themes of retail proficiency, such as product lines and customer skills. As new products are introduced, the training is updated and associates are asked for specific feedback. Stores that implemented the "SKU" training program reported a 4 or 5% increase in sales. Eventually, the industry will rely on scanner technology to provide necessary information at the employee's fingertips, instead of having employees utilize learning terminals off the sales floor.

E-learning represents an opportunity for large companies to create unified training and consistency within their stores. However, some companies prefer to combine e-learning with face-to-face training to reinforce concepts of corporate culture in addition to technical knowledge.