Job prospects Sales Associate - Retail in Newfoundland and Labrador

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "sales associate - retail" in Newfoundland and Labrador or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers (NOC 64100) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of a few positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

This is a large occupation characterized by a younger workforce, relatively low requirements for qualification, low wages, and high rates of turnover. Job vacancy rates in the provincial retail industry have been higher than they were prior to the pandemic, a sign that retailers are having greater difficulty finding workers. However, higher interest rates and inflation can lessen consumer spending on goods and services other than essential needs. This could reduce the number of available job opportunities. The prospect for employment can vary by area and season. Occasionally, a surge of employment in another industry such as mining will create a localized spike in retail sales and demand for workers. Those willing to work a flexible schedule will increase their job potential. Increased use of technology will favour retail salespersons and sales clerks with intermediate computer skills particularly in point-of-sale data entry and computerized inventory record keeping. Knowledge of specific industries and products may increase the likelihood of employment.

Here are some key facts about Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Approximately 7,400 people work in this occupation.
• Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 73%
  • Food and beverage stores (NAICS 445): 14%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 57% compared to 83% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 42% compared to 17% for all occupations
• 49% of retail salespersons and visual merchandisers work all year, while 51% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of retail salespersons and visual merchandisers are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 42% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 57% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 13% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 51% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 23% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 14% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Newfoundland and Labrador by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "sales associate - retail" Retail salespersons (NOC 64100) or across Canada.

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