Retail is one of the largest employment sectors in the U.S., but it faces persistent challenges with turnover, talent shortages, and limited internal mobility. Frontline roles—such as cashiers, stockers, and sales associates—are often viewed as low-wage, short-term positions with few advancement opportunities. At the same time, the industry is rapidly evolving through digital transformation, increasing demand for workers with technical skills in areas like software development, cybersecurity, and robotics.
Retail’s Tech Transformation: Upskilling Frontline Employees for Next-Gen Careers report offers a roadmap for building technology career pathways that connect frontline associates to higher-paying, tech-enabled roles. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a skills-based mindset, aligning training with business needs, and piloting place-based strategies that account for local labor market dynamics. Success depends on leveraging internal corporate assets—such as workforce data, training infrastructure, and local leadership—and building a compelling business case tied to outcomes like increased retention and productivity. This is both a workforce strategy and a business imperative. By investing in career advancement for frontline workers, retailers can reduce turnover costs, strengthen their talent pipelines, and support more inclusive economic mobility.
Rapid shifts in technology and skill demands make workforce planning more difficult than ever. This report offers strategies for retailers and workforce organizations working together to navigate this fast-changing and high-stakes transformation. We provide insights and actionable next steps for addressing key questions:
- What are the fastest-growing technology roles in the retail sector?
- What are the most valuable skills needed for these roles, and how can workers develop them?
- How can employers get started in creating effective pathways from the frontline to these emerging tech roles?
- And how can corporate leaders build a compelling business case for investing in building these robust talent pipelines?
Retail’s Tech Transformation: Upskilling Frontline Employees for Next-Gen Careers was written in collaboration with The Burning Glass Institute.
The research included in this report was made possible through funding from Walmart.
