This month we’re asking retailers: How important is regular staff training for your business and what actions do you implement?

Dreamland Bedding Centre

We view education not simply as a function of operations but as a foundational pillar of our business philosophy. Continuous learning underpins every aspect of our organisation—from customer service to leadership development—and plays a vital role in shaping our culture, enhancing performance, and future-proofing our workforce.

We recognise that training is most impactful when it is consistent, supported, and personalised. To that end, we allocate up to one full day per week for staff training and development. This commitment is offered across all levels of the business, regardless of age or tenure. By investing this time, we communicate clearly that our people are not only valued—they are recognised as vital assets to the future of Dreamland.

Understanding how our team learns is the first step. We utilise diagnostic tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and VARK assessments to better appreciate individual learning styles and cognitive preferences. We offer a wide range of qualifications—from entry-level vocational training through to Level 7 postgraduate programmes. Working closely with a network of providers, we identify opportunities that align with both business needs and individual aspirations. Whether someone is seeking to refine product knowledge, pursue leadership ambitions, or develop wider business acumen, we are committed to enabling that growth.

Within the bed sector, product knowledge is critical. All staff start by completing the NBF training course, and we go far beyond this baseline. Every external training opportunity made available to retailers has been undertaken by our team, and we regularly invite manufacturers to deliver specialist in-house sessions. This dual approach ensures that our staff remain confident, competent, and commercially aware.

At Dreamland, training is not a checkbox—it’s a commitment. It drives excellence, inspires loyalty, and affirms our belief that when you invest in people, they repay that investment tenfold. In short, our team is our greatest asset—and we treat them accordingly.

CFS

Staff training has always been a key part of running things at CFS, not just as a box-ticking exercise but as a practical, day-to-day priority. We’re a hands-on business, and with the type of products we sell, especially our high-end lines, our team must understand the details, not only how things are made, but how they’re cared for, delivered and used in real homes.

We don’t believe in sending staff off for a course once a year and calling it done. Most of our training happens in-house and, on the floor, where it’s relevant. If something new comes in, whether it’s a product range or a material we haven’t worked with, we’ll walk the team through it ourselves. That includes the warehouse and delivery crew, too. Everyone needs to be on the same page because our service doesn’t stop at the sale.

We also find that the best training happens through conversation. We talk a lot as a team. Issues, feedback, good or bad, all get brought up and shared so we’re learning as we go. It keeps things grounded and actually useful. In short, training at CFS isn’t an event, it’s just part of the culture. We keep it simple, relevant and ongoing.

Elphicks

Regular staff training is very important for Elphicks. It helps our team stay knowledgeable about product features, design trends, and customer service best practices. In a retail environment, the ability to guide customers with confidence and offer expert advice makes a big difference in the overall experience and sales performance. We implement a mix of training methods, including hands-on product knowledge sessions, customer service workshops, and regular refreshers on store policies and safety procedures. We also make sure new staff receive thorough onboarding, and we encourage ongoing learning by sharing updates on new arrivals, promotions, and industry trends.

In addition, we always like to send our staff on training courses provided by our suppliers, often held at their factories. This gives our team firsthand insight into how the furniture is made, the materials used, and the craftsmanship involved—knowledge they can pass on to our customers with real enthusiasm and credibility. Investing in our team’s development helps us maintain a high standard of service and keeps our staff motivated and engaged.

Linthorpe Beds

Regular staff training is essential for our business to ensure we stay competitive and deliver the highest standards of service. It keeps our team up to date with the latest product knowledge, manufacturer guidelines, and in-house procedures, allowing us to operate efficiently and confidently. By investing in ongoing training, we enhance staff expertise, reduce errors, and maintain consistency across all areas of our work—ultimately driving customer satisfaction and business growth. We implement this through a combination of refresher training sessions, arranging reps and agents for in store product training, and regular updates from manufacturers and internal teams. This ensures that everyone remains informed, skilled and aligned with company goals and standards.

Fairway Furniture

A business that doesn’t invest in training its staff is set-up to fail. Too often, it’s easy to focus solely on selling teams in retail businesses, but the need to maintain and develop people is crucial across any business. We use a range of specialist external trainers and peer-led learning to provide a regular programme, whether that be in sales, distribution or administration. We also actively support those staff who have professional qualifications in maintaining their CPD requirements.

Mattress Online

Regular staff training across the business is vital – whether that be familiarising the team on newly launched collections and products from our suppliers, important regular health & safety training for our operational staff, expert-led sleep-focused training for our sales and customer service teams, or individuals across the business qualifying as Mental Health First Aiders. We also offer the team opportunities to take time out to learn new skills related to their roles and leadership skills training.

M6 Bed Warehouse

Regular staff training is absolutely vital to our success. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on offering expert guidance to our customers, helping them navigate the complexities of choosing the right bed. Continuous training ensures our team stays knowledgeable about the latest products, technologies, and sleep trends. We implement structured product updates, customer service workshops, and supplier-led training sessions to keep our staff sharp and confident. Our customers trust us to lead them to the best solution — and that trust is built on the expertise we refresh every day.