In June, payroll employment in the retail trade decreased by 3,900 (-0.2%), following three consecutive monthly increases totalling 24,000 (+1.2%), according to a Statistics Canada report.
“In June, the largest monthly declines in retail trade were in grocery and convenience retailers (-1,200; -0.3%) and warehouse clubs, supercentres, and other general merchandise retailers (-800, -0.5%). Meanwhile, clothing and clothing accessories retailers (+1,200; +0.7%) recorded the largest gain in the sector, partially offsetting the monthly decreases in June,” said the report.
On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in retail trade was up by +8,100 (+0.4%) in June, added the federal agency.
Statistics Canada said payroll employment in accommodation and food services decreased by 6,100 (-0.5%) in June, following increases in May (+3,800; +0.3%) and April (+5,800; +0.5%). The decrease in the sector in June was led by full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places (-5,100; -0.5%).
Overall, the number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their employer—measured as “payroll employment” in the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours—was little changed (+4,800; +0.0%) in June, following an increase of 45,000 (+0.2%) in May, said StatsCan.
On a year-on-year basis, payroll employment was up by 155,000 (+0.8%) in June. Meanwhile, job vacancies edged up by 10,500 to 509,100. Year over year, job vacancies were up by 13,800 (+2.8%).
In June, payroll employment increases were recorded in public administration (+10,600; +0.8%), construction (+2,000; +0.2%) and management of companies and enterprises (+900; +0.8%). These gains were partially offset by declines, led by manufacturing (-7,200; -0.5%), accommodation and food services (-6,100; -0.5%), retail trade (-3,900; -0.2%) and professional, scientific and technical services (-1,600; -0.1%).
Statistics Canada said overall job vacancies edged up by 10,500 to 509,100. Year over year, job vacancies were up by 13,800 (+2.8%).
The job vacancy rate—which corresponds to the number of vacant positions as a proportion of total labour demand—was 2.8% in June 2026, unchanged from May 2026 and June 2025, it explained.
“In June 2026, total labour demand—which corresponds to the sum of filled and unfilled positions—was up 0.2% from May. Both payroll employment (+18,800; +0.1%) and job vacancies (+10,500; +2.1%) contributed to the increase. Year over year, the total labour demand was up 0.9% in June,” said the federal agency.
“There were 2.9 unemployed persons for every job vacancy in June 2026, down from 3.0 in May and from 3.1 in June 2025. This decrease was the result of a decline in the number of unemployed persons (according to the Labour Force Survey) coupled with little variation in the number of job vacancies.
“In June, job vacancies were up month over month in information and cultural industries (+2,600; +52.7%), partially offsetting the decrease in May (-3,100; -39.0%). Job vacancies were little changed in the other sectors.
“On a year-over-year basis, job vacancies were up in manufacturing (+5,800; +17.3%), retail trade (+3,900; +8.3%), professional, scientific and technical services (+3,200; +9.1%) and mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (+1,500; +42.3%). Meanwhile, job vacancies were down year over year in educational services (-1,900; -10.9%) and information and cultural industries (-1,100; -13.2%).”
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