Whether you are a cashier, stocker, manager or all of the above, you share a lot of common stressors that can leave anyone feeling anxious at the end of the day.

The long hours, challenging customers and other potential stressors can leave you struggling to find the perfect balance between your needs and those of your customers. Because of this struggle, this Retail toolkit provides information, tools and resources to help you be your best for yourself and the customers you serve.

This toolkit provides valuable information and resources to support you. To utilize the resources, simply scroll down and take a look around. As always, the services within your employee or member assistance program are available 24/7/365. To contact the EAP or MAP, use the phone number found on the program’s promotional materials or web portal, which can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

Financial stress

Financial difficulties can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Learn how to manage your money and help keep your financial goals on track with these strategies.

• Getting out of debt

• Managing finances

• Settling credit card debt

Shiftwork

Working shifts can often result in poor health choices, such as improper sleep or high-calorie, high-sugar snacks and foods. Here are some great tips to help improve your overall health while doing shiftwork.

• Stay healthy while working the night shift

• Getting better sleep

• Sugar and mental health

Customer service

Providing the best experience possible for your customers and patrons should be a top priority. However, it is also essential to build upon relationships at work. Learn ways to improve your relationships.

• Fostering positive work relationships

• Conflict resolution

• Dealing with difficult people

Stress management

Managing your stress is essential to ensuring you are at your best. Learn ways to help manage your daily stressors with some excellent tips.

• Dealing with uncertainty

• Coping with worry and tension

• Managing stress

Physical wellbeing

Keeping a proper daily routine to help maintain your physical wellbeing can be challenging. Discover insights and other information that can help you improve your wellbeing.

• Drugs and alcohol in the workplace

• Managing your physical wellbeing at work

• Coping with pain

Here are some excellent resources to help you continue to develop your craft.

Professional organizations

These professional organizations are a key resource for those working in the retail industry that are interested in learning more about their fields.

• National Retail Federation (NRF) – The NRF represents the nation’s largest private-sector employer, retail. They stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retails thrive.

• Retail Industry Leaders Association – The Retail Industry Leaders Association is the US trade association for leading retailers. They aim to convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry and promote operational excellence and innovation.

Professional journals are peer-reviewed periodicals. The journals listed in this section are available online at no charge. They are a great source for the most current research and reviews in the retail field.

• Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services – This journal is an international and interdisciplinary forum for research and debate in the rapidly developing - and converging - fields of retailing and services studies. It focuses particularly on consumer behavior and on policy and managerial decisions.

Retail related blogs

Blogs offer a conversational approach to the latest retail related news. Blogs are often written by industry professionals and contain the thoughts and concerns in common amongst professionals in the retail industry.

• National Retail Federation (NRF) Blog – Put out by the NRF, this blog offers various insights into topics such as consumer trends, retail technology, governmental affairs affecting the retail industry, safety and security and more.

• The Retail Doctor – Launched in 1994 and going strong for the last 25+ years, Bob Phibbs is an internationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, marketing mentor, author of three books and motivational business speaker.

• Retail Dive – Retail Dive provides in-depth journalism and insight into the most impactful news and trends shaping retail. The newsletters and website cover topics such as brick-and-mortar, retail technology, e-commerce, marketing, payment technology, store operations, omnichannel and more.

• Shopify Blog – Run by the ecommerce giant, this blog features articles, podcasts and videos ranging from productivity, inspiration and marketing strategies to videos such “How to Make Money on YouTube (without a million subscribers)”.

Additional toolkits

• Mental Health Toolkit – Empowers retail workers, allowing them to develop skills to help identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses through tip sheets, flash courses, helpful apps and more.

• Meditation Toolkit – Boost your self-confidence, empathy, compassion and patience as a retail worker by practicing mindful meditation at the start of each day.

• Mindfulness Toolkit – Audio lessons, tip sheets and other resources to help retail workers navigate through common workplace distractions and redirect their focus on their roles.

• Resilience Toolkit – Overcome various challenges with resources to apply energy and passion into caring for yourself.  

• Sleep Fitness Toolkit – Designed to help you learn good sleep habits and achieve healthy sleep.

• Wellbeing Place blog – Fresh content to help support retail workers’ emotional and physical health and overall wellbeing.

Access your EAP or MAP for additional support

To contact your EAP or MAP, type your employer, association or group name (all lower case, with no spaces) into the field below and click “SUBMIT” and you will be taken to the EAP or MAP web portal.