New Delhi, January 24, 2026: Young Indians, including graduates with international education, are increasingly choosing frontline retail training as a pathway to build practical skills and long-term careers, according to developments highlighted through Samsung’s DOST Sales Programme. The trend reflects a growing recognition that while academic degrees open opportunities, hands-on exposure is critical for navigating real-world customer-facing roles.
The DOST Sales Programme offers structured retail skilling that combines classroom learning with on-ground store experience. Participants are trained in customer engagement, product knowledge, communication and retail operations—skills that are becoming essential as India’s organised retail sector evolves into a more solution-oriented and relationship-driven environment.
The 2026 cohort of the programme includes participants from diverse academic backgrounds, including those with global exposure, who have chosen to begin their careers at the shopfloor level. For many, the programme provides an opportunity to develop confidence and decision-making abilities that cannot be fully acquired through formal education alone.
Quazi Faizan Afroz Akhlaque Uz Zama, an MBA graduate from Amravati University, shared his experience from the programme, stating, “Through training and hands-on exposure, I learned how to communicate with customers, manage situations, and make informed decisions in real time. Understanding customer behaviour and product differentiation has helped me approach conversations with clarity and confidence.”
Participants with international education have also echoed similar views. Rashneet Kaur Chhabra, a University College London graduate currently training in Pune, noted, “The diversity of the programme — across age, background, and experience — helped me understand business from a very human perspective. In India, retail is deeply rooted in relationships and cultural understanding. Building trust and personal connection with customers is central, and that’s a lesson I will carry into global markets.”
Industry leaders see such programmes as addressing a key employability gap. Shubham Mukherjee, Head, CSR & Corporate Communications, Samsung Southwest Asia, said, “With its industry-first, five-month training framework, Samsung DOST is addressing a critical need for job-ready talent in the retail ecosystem. The sharp rise in enrolments this year, including candidates with global education exposure, reflects the growing relevance of the programme. At a time when digital transformation is reshaping retail, DOST is helping build a skilled workforce equipped for the future.”
As India’s retail economy expands, structured skilling initiatives like the DOST Sales Programme are emerging as a bridge between education and employability, positioning frontline experience as a strategic foundation for sustainable career growth.Sources
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