5/11/25
Customer satisfaction can make or break a sale. When shoppers walk into your store, they’re looking for more than just products; they want guidance, expertise, and a positive experience that makes them feel understood. That experience often hinges on one thing: the associates.
Well-trained associates are confident, engaging, and ready to offer real value to shoppers. But here’s the catch: traditional training methods don’t always spark that kind of engagement. That’s where training competitions come in.
By turning learning into a challenge, Intel® Retail Edge Program training competitions energize teams, boost product knowledge, and build associate confidence in ways that stick. Here are six powerful ways these competitions go beyond basic training to deliver results for both your team and your customers.
Standard training modules can feel like a chore. Clicking through slides or watching videos without interaction doesn’t inspire much excitement. But add a competitive twist? Now you’ve got people leaning in, eager to learn and win.
Training competitions tap into our natural desire for achievement. Whether it’s climbing a leaderboard, unlocking rewards, or just earning bragging rights, the game-like structure makes learning feel less like a task and more like an opportunity. Associates are more motivated to complete modules, and they tend to retain the information longer.
In fact, many retail teams find that associates start challenging one another to level up their scores, fueling a culture of healthy competition and shared growth.
Incentives work—especially when they’re tied to real benefits. Competitions within training programs give associates something tangible to aim for, whether it's points, prizes, recognition, or career development opportunities.
Competitions like Score with Intel® Core™ are designed specifically to reward participation and performance. Associates who engage are eligible for exclusive rewards, merchandise, and meaningful experiences, which encourage them to continue training.
And the best part? Managers don’t need to do all the pushing. The Program itself becomes the motivator, taking the pressure off leadership while delivering better results.
Not all competitions are about solo performance. Many encourage teamwork, allowing associates to learn and grow together. When training becomes a shared challenge, it brings teams closer, fostering stronger communication, collaboration, and camaraderie.
This is especially valuable in multi-shift environments or stores with varying levels of experience among staff. Newer associates can learn from seasoned team members, and everyone benefits from shared tips and peer support.
As team members celebrate each other’s wins, the result is a more connected, energized store culture where everyone feels invested in success.
Training competitions are about more than answering questions correctly; they’re about understanding products deeply enough to speak to them with confidence on the floor.
By interacting with learning materials dynamically and responsively, associates develop a deeper understanding of key features, benefits, and use cases. Because the learning is often tied to real sales scenarios, it becomes second nature to apply it in customer conversations.
Product confidence is contagious. Customers can sense when they’re talking to someone who knows their stuff, and they’re far more likely to trust recommendations and make a purchase.
One of the biggest advantages of competition-based training is immediate feedback. Associates can see how they’re performing in real time, allowing them to course-correct on the spot or identify areas where they need more focus.
This feedback loop also helps managers. You get a clear view of who’s excelling, who might need more support, and where your store’s knowledge gaps might be. Rather than waiting until performance issues arise, you can be proactive in providing coaching or follow-up training.
It’s an easy way to incorporate data into your associate development efforts and use it to empower, not penalize.
At the end of the day, better training equals better customer experiences. Associates who are confident, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic provide more accurate information, recommend the right products, and engage customers in ways that leave a lasting impression.
That translates to more than individual transactions. It builds trust, drives customer loyalty, and increases the chances of repeat visits and referrals. As retail managers know, those outcomes are just as important as any single sale.
The Intel® Retail Edge Program is designed with that bigger picture in mind. Competitions within the program aren’t just fun—they’re strategic. It helps equip your team with the tools and confidence they need to succeed in today’s competitive retail landscape.
If you’re a retail manager looking to improve training outcomes and boost associate engagement, it might be time to rethink your approach. Competitions bring energy, excitement, and purpose to learning, and your team and customers will notice the difference.
With the Intel® Retail Edge Program, training becomes more than a requirement. It becomes a pathway to better performance, stronger teams, and a more rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Because when associates win, so do your customers.
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