Introduction: Revolutionizing Retail Training with Immersive Learning
Faced with the challenge of training thousands of employees worldwide on the nuances of U.S. store layouts and product placements, a global food and beverage (F&B) leader set out to achieve more than operational efficiency—it aimed to transform learning at scale. With in-person visits no longer viable, the need for scalable, realistic, and high-impact virtual training became urgent. This case study explores how the organization partnered with EI to launch an immersive Virtual Store Tour program that redefined employee engagement, performance, and knowledge transfer across locations.
Client Overview: A Global Food and Beverage Industry Powerhouse
Our client is a Fortune 500 food and beverage giant with a portfolio of globally recognized brands in snacks, beverages, and wellness-focused products. With operations spanning 200+ countries and a workforce exceeding hundreds of thousands, the company has a strong footprint in both mature and emerging markets. Its focus on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence drives its continued global success.
Business Requirement: Scalable Retail Training Across Geographies
To ensure consistent training across urban and remote regions, the client needed a digital learning solution that could effectively simulate the in-store experience. Traditional, in-person training—often involving international travel—was costly and unsustainable. The business sought a future-ready, immersive training solution that would enhance knowledge of store layouts, drive field effectiveness, and improve go-to-market alignment.
Solution Strategy: Virtual Store Tours Using Immersive Learning Technology
To bridge training gaps, the organization collaborated with EI to design a virtual reality (VR)-enabled immersive learning program titled Virtual Store Tours. This scalable training solution uses 360-degree visuals, guided navigation, and interactive content to simulate real-life store visits.
Key Solution Features and Learning Design:
- 360-degree Store Exploration: High-resolution 360° images were stitched to create a seamless, interactive environment that mimics the physical store experience. Employees can virtually walk through store aisles, observing layouts and product placements in real time.
- Introductory Video: The journey begins with a video overview, setting the tone and expectations for the immersive experience.
- AI-generated Avatar: An intelligent avatar guides employees, enhancing personalization and maintaining engagement throughout the training.
- User-Friendly Navigation Support:: An intuitive help screen offers tips on exploring the virtual environment, making it easy for first-time users to navigate.
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- Store Layout and Golden Path: Learners are introduced to the store’s layout through a detailed visual map. The Golden Path, representing 70% of real shopper traffic, leads them through key zones with strategic product placements.
- Interactive Navigation Arrows: Golden arrows guide the learner through the predefined training path, followed by free exploration with purple arrows.
- Layered Learning Content: The tour integrates video explainers and clickable text hotspots with additional insights, ensuring content is contextually embedded and easy to retain.
Implementation Timeline: Agile CRAFT Framework in Action
The project followed EI’s agile CRAFT model (Consult, Refine, Aggregate, Form, Test), enabling efficient collaboration and rapid execution. The full solution was delivered in just 4.5 months.
Results and Measurable Business Impact
The Virtual Store Tours program aligned precisely with the client’s expectations and business goals. It empowered remote and field employees with the tools needed to succeed in highly competitive market conditions.
Tangible Benefits:
- Enhanced product placement understanding and store familiarity
- Stronger field team readiness and cross-market consistency
- Improved emotional connection and organizational alignment
Performance Metrics:
- 90% of learners rated the experience 4.47 out of 5
- 30% increase in training participation due to virtual accessibility
- 25% improvement in layout comprehension among employees
- 15% growth in sales performance following program completion
Conclusion: ROI and ROE through Immersive Learning
Immersive learning strategies like Virtual Store Tours go beyond traditional training—they drive tangible business outcomes while offering an engaging, high-retention learning experience. By combining immersive technology with meaningful content and intuitive design, the program delivered measurable improvements in performance, learning ROI (Return on Investment), and learner ROE (Return on Effectiveness).
At EI, we’re proud to be recognized as a Top Immersive Learning Content Provider by eLearning Industry. Our solutions are built to empower modern enterprises with scalable, engaging, and high-impact training.
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