5 ways to motivate your marketing teams during peak retail periods

The state of pressure in retail marketing  

Want to know how much of a pressure cooker retail marketing can be? According to the Chartered Institute of Marketing, 56% of marketers are worried about burnout – and 75% are already feeling it. That’s higher than their peers in sales, finance or HR.  

To help your team stay focused and energised through it all, you need to come up with consistent, thoughtful ways of motivating employees – and that’s exactly what we’re about to get into.  

1. Celebrate wins every step of the way

Massive wins aren’t exactly an everyday thing. It’s the smaller, easily missed ones that are happening all the time. A bit of public recognition (whether it’s for a clever campaign tweak or a solid insight) gives people a sense of progress and pride in what they do. 

In fact, one study found that a simple thank-you or shout-out can lift productivity by up to 90%.  

Perkbox tip: Perkbox’s recognition feature makes it easy to spotlight clever thinking and campaign wins, while tailored rewards are great incentives for keeping the good work coming.  

2. Offer clear growth and training pathways   

When people can see a future with you, they’re not going to start flirting with other offers. It’s like dating someone who suggests a holiday six months from now instead of a last-minute dinner if they’re “not too knackered.” In marketing, career paths can feel vague, blocked or weirdly political, so that kind of clarity matters even more. 

No surprise, then, that 67% of employees say access to development is a key reason they stay with their employer. So make it obvious. Offer short courses, cross-functional projects and regular check-ins on where people want to go next. 

If they can picture what’s ahead, they’re more likely to stay long-term. It’s harder to bail when the holiday’s half-booked and they’ve already told their mum about you. Makes it kind of official, doesn’t it? 

Perkbox tip: Recognise when someone completes a course, steps up as a leader, or hits a personal development milestone. It’s a simple way to celebrate growth and encourage more of it. Then give them even more ways to keep learning, like e-book vouchers, extra training opportunities, or access to a whole range of L&D perks right on the Perkbox platform. 

3. Empower autonomy and flexibility 

Trust is great fuel for motivation. Without it, people check out fast – especially marketers, who don’t do their best thinking while being hovered over. They need space to explore, test ideas, get it wrong, and try again without someone watching their every move.  

Higher engagement from flexible working can reduce staff turnover by as much as 87%, and autonomy plays a big part in that. Let your team shape how they work, whether that’s blocking out time for deep focus, stepping away from the screen or collaborating on their own terms. 

Give people space, and they usually fill it with good stuff. 

Perkbox tip: Use surveys to get a feel for how your team likes to work. Then recognise the people who adopt and improve new workflows through shout-outs or team awards.  

4. Prioritise mental wellbeing 

When it comes to motivation killers, stress usually tops the list. Long hours, urgent requests, content chaos and last-minute amends all add up – and it won’t take long until there’s a marketer-shaped puddle slowly sliding under the desk.  

Gallup reckons burnout-related turnover costs 15–20% of payroll each year. That makes mental health just as critical for your business as it is for the people keeping it running. 

Encourage mental resets and actively model good boundaries. That might look like no-meeting blocks, skipping Slack replies on weekends (remember, in Aus we have the right to disconnect), or taking a proper lunch break. When you normalise these kind of boundaries, your team’s way more likely to stay motivated. 

Perkbox tip: Perkbox’s Wellbeing area offers meditations, mindfulness tracks and short yoga sessions. They’re perfect for post-campaign cooldowns or a quick midday reset. 

5. Use incentives to reinforce performance 

While motivation isn’t just about money, recognition without reward can feel a bit hollow if there isn’t a thoughtful, tangible token of appreciation in there somewhere.  

We think the best strategy is to mix financial rewards with personal appreciation. And when they’re aligned with performance metrics, incentives can boost motivation and reinforce progress. 

Perkbox tip: Use flexible rewards (like our Reward points) to let marketers choose what works for them, such as tech gear, wellness products or a weekend escape. 

Build a lasting motivation strategy

Motivation builds over time through consistent support, recognition and chances to grow. If you’re only providing those things during crunch time, they’ll feel more like damage control than genuine support. 

Support your team well, and they’ll stay energised, engaged and keep bringing their best selves to work.   

Here’s a practical summary to keep your efforts aligned: 

The impact of getting it right 

Investing in strategies to reduce employee turnover pays off in real, measurable ways. Companies that recognise their people regularly see turnover drop by 45%. Employees who feel supported and recognised are three times more likely to stay and recommend their employer to others.  

And when motivation is high, campaigns land better, the brand feels more alive and customer connections get stronger.   

A final word 

Peak retail puts pressure on everyone, and marketing teams are right in the thick of it. The way you support them day to day matters more than any last-minute motivational push.  

Recognition, clarity, breathing room and a path forward all help keep motivation steady when things get hectic.