
Features
Business
Labour
More employees in retail sector than ever before
May 29, 2008 By Amanda Ryder
NEWS HIGHLIGHT
More employees in retail sector than ever before
A Statistics Canada report released in May reveals that for the first time ever, more Canadians are involved in selling products than producing them.
A Statistics Canada report released in May reveals that for the first time ever, more Canadians are involved in selling products than producing them. The retail industry in Canada now employs more workers than the manufacturing sector, which has typically employed more workers in the past. The declining auto and forestry sectors are to blame for the decrease and unemployed workers have been forced to seek out jobs at car dealerships, local businesses or department stores rather than in factories or mills.
The agency reports that in 2007, the average wage for retail employees was $14.87. The report also reveals that retail sales in 2007 rose 5.8 per cent, the strongest in five years. The West was red-hot when it comes to retail sales, with Saskatchewan and Alberta leading the pack.
Print this page