An international team of researchers studied the following aspects of training in Ireland's retail sector: structure and characteristics, institutional and social context, employment and labor, changing conditions and their implications for skill requirements, and training and recruitment. Data were collected from an analysis of social and labor/employment statistics, literature review, and case studies of a family-owned department store, Ireland's national electricity generating and distribution company, a retail firm selling food and nonfood items, and a private grocery chain. Each case study included information about the following: company structure/characteristics; business strategy; personnel policies; and training policies, strategies, objectives, structure, and plans. The case studies confirmed that systematic training of staff within Ireland's retail sector is a relatively new development. One of the companies had no training department/training system until 2 years ago even though it employs 320 people. Formal planning of training occurred only at the large companies and was generally the responsibility of a training manager. Training practices and topics varied widely, and only the larger organizations had invested in training facilities. Little in-depth assessment of training costs and benefits had occurred to date; however, more systematic assessment of training appeared likely. (Contains 16 tables/figures and 14 references.) (MN)