As young Indians continue to pursue global degrees and corporate ambitions, a quiet but meaningful shift is unfolding across India’s retail sector. Increasingly, even internationally educated graduates are choosing frontline retail training to gain practical, job-ready skills.
This change is clearly visible in Samsung’s DOST Sales Programme, which has emerged as a structured pathway for young professionals to learn retail operations from the ground up. The 2026 cohort reflects growing diversity, with participants from Indian universities as well as overseas institutions opting for hands-on experience before stepping into larger corporate roles.
Unlike conventional classroom learning, the DOST programme combines theory with real store exposure. Participants are trained in customer interaction, product knowledge, communication skills, and real-time problem solving. These capabilities have become critical as modern retail shifts from simple selling to solution-based engagement. Today’s customers arrive informed, price-conscious, and demanding immediate clarity, making the shopfloor executive a trusted advisor rather than just a salesperson.
For Quazi Faizan Afroz Akhlaque Uz Zama, an MBA graduate currently training in Amravati, the programme has helped bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workplace reality. He says the experience has improved his ability to communicate confidently with customers and respond effectively in high-pressure situations.
The presence of globally educated participants highlights the programme’s growing relevance. Rashneet Kaur Chhabra, a University College London graduate with a Master’s degree in Architecture, is currently training in Pune. She believes the programme offers valuable insights into India’s relationship-driven retail environment. According to her, learning how to build trust and cultural understanding on the shopfloor is a skill that translates well across global markets.
The cohort also includes professionals such as Tushar, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Technology, Sydney, reflecting a broader belief that frontline experience can accelerate long-term career growth.
According to Shubham Mukherjee, Head of CSR and Corporate Communications, Samsung Southwest Asia, the five-month DOST training framework addresses a critical gap in job readiness. He noted that rising enrolments, including candidates with international exposure, underline the programme’s growing impact on India’s organised retail ecosystem.
As India’s retail economy expands, demand for skilled professionals who can combine product expertise with customer trust-building continues to rise. For many young Indians, starting at the shopfloor is no longer viewed as a compromise. Instead, it is becoming a strategic step towards building stronger careers.
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