In 2023, the retail sector in Canada, excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, employed approximately 1.7 million people. The forecast from 2024 to 2028 shows stability, with employment remaining around 1.7 to 1.71 million persons. Specifically, the workforce is expected to stay at 1.71 million in 2024 and 2025 before slightly dipping to 1.7 million from 2026 onward. Year-on-year, this suggests a negligible growth rate, indicative of a stable employment landscape. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the past five years reflects minimal change, reinforcing the view of a steady sector without significant expansion or contraction.

Future trends to watch for in the Canadian retail sector include:

Adapting to e-commerce growth and the impact on traditional retail employment.
Monitoring potential economic fluctuations that could affect consumer spending and retail staffing needs.
Technological advances and automation that might alter workforce requirements.
The influence of regulatory changes and labor market policies on industry employment.