Retail Trade Industry

October 2010

· The industry employed about 229,700 people in 2008

· Average annual employment growth rate in the industry between 2009 and 2013 is expected to be 1.9%

Profile

The industry includes businesses engaged in selling products directly to the public and providing services that accompany the sale of products. The industry includes enterprises engaged in the sale of food, beverages, drug products, shoes, clothing, household furniture and appliances, automobiles, department store merchandise and after-sales services such as repair and installation.

Occupations include cashiers, direct distributors, opticians, pharmacists and retail store managers.

Performance and outlook

The retail trade industry is Alberta’s largest employer. The industry’s share of economic activity in Alberta has increased since 1999, while its share of employment has been steady.

Strong economic growth and rising incomes have helped create employment in the industry over the last decade. Signs of weakness appeared in the second half of 2008 as consumers began to cut spending. The value of retail trade was down almost 10 per cent over the first eight months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Sales at gasoline service stations were down almost 24 per cent. Building supply and motor vehicles sales were also weak. Food and beverage retailers were among the few showing any signs of strength.

Dips in consumer spending are typical of economic downturns. Sales will pick up with recovery, though the strength and pace will depend on the confidence Albertans have that growth and opportunity can be sustained.

Demand for salespersons, cashiers and managers is expected to decline in the short term but should recover and grow through 2010 and beyond.

About 21,900 jobs will be created in the industry by 2013. All of these gains will occur after 2010.

For more information see Alberta Career and Industry Outlook or Alberta Industry Profiles.

Occupations in the Industry

For a list of occupations and related occupations in this industry, see OCCinfo Search by Industry: Retail Trade page.