The European Commission emphasizes the importance of supporting skills development in retail, as highlighted in both its 2018 and 2015 reports. COVID-19 has intensified the need for skilled adaptation within the retail sector due to the surge in online shopping and economic disruptions. Many retail sectors lack adequate qualification and training, leading to a high turnover rate and challenges in competing with e-commerce. Retailers must prioritize flexibility and modern metrics of success, embracing agility and automation to enhance customer service. The Training on Retail Readiness (ToRRe) aims to address these challenges by providing an agile toolkit for learning and bridging the digital skills gap in the retail sector, with a focus on online and flexible learning methods. The target beneficiaries include redundant retail workers, VET centers, retail enterprises, HR managers, students, and self-employed individuals in retail.
The report ‘A practical guide for fostering the revitalisation and modernisation of the small retail sector’discusses the need for improved skills in the retail sector, particularly due to the rise of e-commerce. It highlights the challenges faced by retailers, such as job losses and the need to adapt to changing consumer demands. The document then proposes the ToRRe project as a solution. ToRRe aims to address the skills gap by providing online training tools focused on digital competencies for retail workers. This will benefit various groups, including unemployed retail workers, retail businesses, and the overall workforce. The project's innovation lies in its focus on the specific needs of the retail sector and its flexible approach to online and classroom learning.