Canadian wholesale and retail employment rose in June but remains down nearly 72,000 jobs, with Suzanne Sears warning of staffing and service pressures.
Canadian retailers continue expanding while retail employment declines, raising questions about staffing, service levels, and the future of in-store retail.
Retail job growth stagnated in Canada for 2025 as November losses offset gains; recruiter Suzanne Sears explains why hiring remained flat across the sector.
As Canada’s retail industry continues to evolve post-pandemic, labour and staffing remain front and centre for businesses grappling with shifting economic realities, worker expectations, and technological change. From declining job vacancies to an industry-wide push for skills-based hiring, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for the retail workforce.