Strategies Spring 2026_No Crops

BLISH-MIZE INSIDE

us train whenever we have a few spare minutes, and our employees retain far more from short, focused lessons.” Werner says she has been using videos in all of the program’s eight categories. “The selection provides a nice assortment of content for both our hourly employees and our managers,” she says. “I particularly appreciate the customer experience and sales techniques categories, as they serve as great reinforcement for what we already teach in the store.” So far, Parry’s employees have been watching the videos independently on their own time, and Werner has received positive feedback from employees, who have appreciated that the videos are relevant, short and to the point. “Ultimately, our main goal is to maintain the reputation of having the best employees in town, and RetailWise is another valuable tool to help us achieve that.” To learn more about how you can make your team more informed and your business more profitable, be sure to tune into Goeppner’s presentation at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 20.

“Training isn’t just about skills, it’s about culture,” Goeppner says. “RetailWise helps reinforce what great customer service looks like, how teams communicate, and how employees show up for each other. That consistency builds stronger stores.” Training in Action A second-generation family-owned store, Parry’s in Hamilton, New York, is continually growing to meet the needs of its DIY and professional customers. Owner Gwenn Werner added the RetailWise program to the operation’s training offerings in late 2025 after seeing RetailWise advertised in NHPA emails. “I subscribed immediately,” Werner says. “Since we already utilize the regular NHPA training program, this felt like a natural extension of our current training resources.” For Werner, the short-form videos are especially valuable because they work well when the team has limited time and because the bite-sized format leads to better retention. “Each employee learns differently,” Werner explains. “These quick videos let

Cody Goeppner uses his experience as a retailer to build AI micro training videos.

Stop by Booth # 452

Hardlines Strategies • Spring 2026 39

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker