Putting Employee Wellbeing First

As South Africa’s leading health and wellness retailer, we currently operate 51 stores, with plans to double our footprint in the next five years. Supporting 400 team members across multiple locations means ensuring that they receive effective training and development opportunities - an essential factor in both employee wellbeing and business success.

The Challenge: Keeping Employee Growth on Track

With a vast workforce spread across various locations, tracking employee training and development was a significant challenge. Our CEO, Stuart Sinclair, explains:

“Trying to find a platform that makes training efficient is one of the most important aspects of what we do. We need to monitor and track progress, identify gaps, and intervene when necessary - all while keeping costs manageable.”

Initially, team members faced barriers in completing training programmes due to inefficient tracking systems. There was a noticeable lag in data availability, making it difficult to support employees effectively and ensure that they were progressing at the right pace. We needed a real-time training intelligence system to bridge the gap between data and decision-making.

The Solution: Smarter, Data-Driven Training

To tackle these challenges, we partnered with New Leaf Technologies to develop a customised reporting system. This new training intelligence platform allows for:
• Real-time tracking of employee progress through training modules
• Dynamic dashboards that provide instant insights into learning completion rates
• Better communication between employees and leadership, fostering a more engaged workforce

With this system in place, store leaders now have direct access to detailed training insights. They can quickly identify employees who need additional support, recognise top performers, and ensure that every team member is progressing effectively.

“When we started, our training completion rates were around 23 - 25%. Today, thanks to this new system, we’re seeing completion rates in the mid-90s,” says Sinclair.

Global Recognition for Innovation in Learning & Development

The Wellness Warehouse Training Intelligence System was shortlisted in the top 5 worldwide in the category of ‘Best use of learning data analytics to impact learner and business performance’ in the prestigious Learning Technologies Awards in London last year. This global recognition reinforces our commitment to using cutting-edge technology to enhance employee learning, development, and overall wellbeing.

A Culture of Growth and Employee Wellbeing

We believe that investing in our team’s learning and development is investing in their overall wellbeing. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures that employees feel valued, supported, and equipped to grow within the organisation.

This employee-first approach not only enhances workplace morale, but also aligns with our broader mission: helping people live healthier, happier lives - including our own team members.

A Future of Innovation and Collaboration

The success of this initiative highlights the power of collaboration and innovation in workplace training. Wellness Warehouse and New Leaf Technologies have co-created a globally recognised solution - one that is helping redefine learning and development (L&D) practices in the retail space.

“This journey started as a response to the challenges of COVID-19, but it has evolved into a long-term strategy for empowering our workforce. We’re proud to have partnered with a company that shares our vision for growth, development, and wellbeing,” concludes Sinclair.

As we continue to expand, our focus remains clear: creating a thriving, supportive workplace where employees can reach their full potential - because when employees flourish, so do customers.