Back-to-school season is here—and for outdoor, footwear, and lifestyle retailers, that means a surge in store traffic and shopper urgency. Parents and students are on the hunt for specific gear, from comfortable shoes for gym class to durable backpacks.
But here’s what often happens: A shopper walks in, overwhelmed by all the options, and asks an associate for help.
The response? An uncertain suggestion.
And just like that, your brand misses its moment to stand out.
Many associates represent your brand to customers in-store—otfen without properly understanding your products. And during busy shopping seasons, like back-to-school, that gap matters.
Product Knowledge Is a Competitive Advantage
Back-to-school shoppers don’t just browse – they compare, ask questions, and look for associate guidance. They’re curious about what works best, what lasts longest, and what’s worth the price tag. That’s where product knowledge turns into sales performance.
Here’s why thorough training on your brand matters:
- Customers trust informed associates. 40% of associates say a confident recommendation lands with customers. When your product’s value is clearly explained, customers are far more likely to buy.
- Associates represent your brand. Think of sales associates as your frontline ambassadors. Without proper training, they can unintentionally misrepresent your brand or overlook it entirely.
- Knowledge builds confidence. Associates who deeply understand a product can effortlessly convey its benefits, increasing the likelihood of a sale.
Fact: 63% of shoppers walk into stores undecided, and their purchases are often influenced by the associates say in those moments.
The Risk of Being Absent from the Recommendation
Educating associates about your products for Back-to-School season is like equipping a runner with the perfect pair of shoes for a marathon—essential for success.
What brands risk without associate training:
- Defaulting to competitor recommendations. When associates don’t know your product, they’ll recommend the one they’re most familiar with—even if yours is the better fit.
- Damage to reputation. Poorly informed associates may unintentionally pass on incorrect information, leaving customers dissatisfied with their purchase and your brand.
This doesn’t have to be your reality. By investing in the right tools, you give the associates selling your brand to not only know your product but the ability to feel confident talking about them – and your brand becomes the one they recommend.
How Leading Brands Use ENDVR to Succeed During Back to School Season
Leading brands are turning to ENDVR to train and motivate associates at scale—especially during key seasons.
Here’s how ENDVR can help you win:
- Quick Launch of Seasonal Training Campaigns Brands can create quick, targeted training campaigns that meet associates where they are—on their phones, in the store, between customer interactions. Bite-sized content = high engagement.
- Gamification and Incentives that Drive Action Make learning fun (and worth it). With ENDVR, associates can earn rewards just for completing training. It’s how passive staff become proactive brand advocates.
- Real-Time Insights and ROI Tracking: Get full visibility into what’s working. See which stores are engaging with training, how it’s influencing sales, and show clear ROI to your leadership team.
Don’t Leave it to Chance—Equip Your Associates
Own the Back-to-School season. Train associates with ENDVR to boost sales, increase product recommendations, and dominate in-store retail.
Maximize your brand’s impact this back-to-school shopping season by equipping your store associates with strategic training. Without adequately prepared staff, you risk losing potential customers to competitors. Ensure your product takes center stage in the decision-making process.
Help associates feel ready to recommend you—when it counts. Sign up for free on ENDVR and empower them to advocate effectively for your products when it matters most.
Your brand deserves to be top of mind – clicking the link below.
