Retail PC stores are in their busiest time of the year. Shoppers are eager to find the perfect PC and other tech gifts, and the competition among retailers is fierce. To stand out in this crowded marketplace, focusing on one key element: effective product and sales training for your team is essential.

This article explores the importance of comprehensive training during the holidays and how it can significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers.

Retail sales associates play a crucial role in helping customers navigate the often complex world of tech products. Whether it’s explaining the benefits of a new processor or helping someone pick out the right laptop, they’re on the front lines, connecting people with technology. For associates to excel, they need training that’s not just educational but also engaging and tailored to their needs.

The Intel® Retail Edge Program offers training that does just that. But what exactly are retail associates looking for in a training program? 

Over the years, millions of dollars have been diverted from building a once robust community of retail brand advocates to fueling social media influencer campaigns.

While influencers have helped create awareness in certain areas, this trend has overlooked a crucial fact: the real heartbeat of the customer lives much closer to home—on the retail sales floor.

The 2024 holiday shopping season is shaping up to be an exciting blend of technological innovation and traditional in-store experiences, according to the Holiday Outlook 2024 Report from PwC. Despite economic challenges, the retail landscape is evolving to meet changing consumer preferences, with a particular focus on tech-savvy younger generations and the enduring appeal of brick-and-mortar stores.

Shoppers plan to spend an average of $1,638 this season, a 7% increase from last year. Notably, younger generations are driving this trend, with Gen Z increasing their holiday budgets by 59% compared to the past two years.