As retailers head into budget season, planning for 2026 is officially underway. Every team is focused on making smart investments that move the needle. While inventory, marketing, and supply chain tend to get early attention, one area that continues to deliver strong ROI is often overlooked: training and communication for frontline teams.

At Multimedia Plus, we’ve seen firsthand how equipping associates with the right tools and knowledge can drive meaningful business results. When retail teams are confident and prepared, they deliver better service, execute tasks more efficiently, and ultimately create stronger customer experiences.

Why frontline training matters more than ever

It’s easy to think of training as a one-time event or annual requirement. But modern training isn’t just about onboarding or compliance. It’s about giving your teams the information they need, when they need it, in ways that are easy to access and apply. And when done right, it leads to measurable improvements across the business.

Research supports this. According to Business Training Experts, companies with strong training programs see up to 24 percent higher profit margins than those without. In retail, where associates are the face of your brand, those margins are often made or lost on the sales floor.

Don’t wait until next year

One of the most common questions we hear is, “Can this wait until after the holidays?” The answer is: not if you want to hit the ground running in 2026.

Planning now means you can pilot new tools, gather feedback, and get teams comfortable before peak season hits. The reality is that habits take time to build. Launching training just before a big push rarely delivers the results you’re looking for. It’s more effective to roll out gradually and refine as you go.

Building your case: what to include

If you’re preparing a 2026 budget proposal, you’ll need to show how training supports the business. Here are a few key talking points:

1. Revenue impact
Well-trained teams convert more customers, sell higher-ticket items, and create more loyal shoppers.

2. Cost savings
Efficient onboarding, fewer mistakes, and lower turnover can lead to real savings. Some retailers experience turnover rates as high as 60 percent, which makes retention and training critical. Surefront has helpful insights on the connection between employee engagement and business performance.

3. Consistent execution
Whether you have 10 stores or 1,000, consistent brand experience matters. Training ensures that every associate understands how to represent your brand and follow through on the details that drive customer satisfaction.

4. Real visibility
With the right platform, you can track engagement, performance, and outcomes. This makes it easier to share results across departments and show the value of your investment.

Want to plug in your own numbers? Try our interactive ROI calculator or check out our ROI white paper for more detail.

What to look for in a training solution

The best training programs feel natural for store teams to use. That means short, mobile-friendly content that fits into a busy shift. It also means having the ability to push updates, communicate quickly, and follow up with tasks when needed.

Look for tools that offer:

  • Mobile-first delivery

  • Integrated tasks and messaging

  • Real-time updates

  • Reporting for managers and corporate teams

Training should also be easy to manage on the backend. When corporate teams can create, publish, and update content quickly, training stays relevant and fresh.

Planning with purpose

As you prepare your 2026 budget, think of training as more than a line item. It’s an investment in your people and your brand. Here are a few steps to keep in mind:

  • Link training goals to business outcomes

  • Start early with a pilot program

  • Involve cross-functional teams like HR, operations, and marketing

  • Track performance and share results with leadership

When training is aligned with strategic goals, it becomes a driver of performance, not just an expense.

Let’s move into 2026 with momentum

Your associates are your brand. They’re also your best asset when it comes to growing revenue and improving customer experience. Investing in their success now sets the stage for stronger results in the year ahead.

If you’re working on budget planning and want to explore how INCITE can support your training goals, we’d love to help. Reach out anytime, or start by exploring our ROI calculator and white paper.