Curriculum & Training Products

NRF Foundation offers quality retail training resources to develop high-performing associates and managers at all levels. All NRFF curriculum, training, and certification programs are based on Industry Skill Standards. Whether you are helping a candidate prepare for their first job, someone who wants to advance your skill set, or an employer looking to train new hires, we have a variety of resources to fit your needs.

 

New! Retail Operations

Geared towards recently hired associates, students, and interested retail associates and employees who need new skills, this 40-hour interactive instructor-led course is designed to prepare participants for a career in retail and aligned with the Professional Certifications in Customer Service and in Sales. Learners will receive an overview of the retail industry, customer service, sales, and operational concepts.

New! Retail Management and Operations

A 40-hour interactive instructor-led course is now available to help promote best practices in retail  management and operational concepts and processes, and to help participants understand accountability in Retail Management. The Retail Management and Operations course is aimed at new or aspiring Sales Managers or Assistant Managers preparing for a lead role in Retail Management and to prepare for the National Professional Certification in Retail Management.

Sales and Service Learning Program/Train-the-Trainer (TTT)

A comprehensive program for instructors, this program is designed to educate participants and equip them for entry-level retail sales and customer service positions. This 120-180 hour program helps prepare candidates for both the National Professional Certification in Customer Service and the National Professional Certification in Sales.

Online Training / NRF University wired

Online retail training courses are offered through our eLearning platform NRF University wired. This system provides a robust catalog of online courses and tracking tools with dynamic reporting tied to a Learning Management System (LMS). This eLearning platform can assist organizations with retail specific training for professionals at all levels. Browse the course catalog.

Workbooks

The Retailing Smarts Series Learner Workbooks are supplemental workbooks containing role-playing scenarios and activities covering a wide range of topics. These workbooks are based on industry skill standards and assist in preparing candidates for both the professional customer service and sales certifications. Leader's guides are available for facilitating group lessons.

Retail Readiness Assessment (RRA)

The Retail Readiness Assessment (RRA) evaluates critical customer service and sales skills, aptitudes and attitudes that help determine strengths and weaknesses of existing employees and employee candidates. This solution can be used as a screening tool, or to benchmark learning. It is an excellent, cost effective tool to measure skills, knowledge gaps, and training needs for pre-hires or new associates.

Customer Service and Sales Skill Standards

A hands-on publication containing the industry-developed standards for customer service and sales, as guides for employers, educators, and trainers to help build and recognize requisite skills. The publication includes complete standards plus academic, employability, occupational and technical knowledge and skills, as well as guidelines for integrating the standards into existing or new curricula.