The retail and wholesale sector is the largest private sector employer in the province.
According to the WorkPEI Employment Analysis as of May 2019, the number of people employed in retail and wholesale on PEI is 11,000. It’s the largest employer on PEI.
The 2018 PEI Economic Update says retail trade was up 4.6 percent by August 2018, while nationally it was 3.3 percent in the same period.
Notable contributions to growth have come from motor vehicle and parts dealers, up 4.3 percent, food and beverage stores, up 4.4 percent, and building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers, up 8.9 percent.
Wholesale trade on the Island has increased 23.4 per cent on a year to date basis through August 2018, the fastest growth amongst provinces. Nationally, wholesale trade has advanced 4.5 per cent over this time period.
Retail and Wholesale on Prince Edward Island – Hiring practices
- Atlantic Safety Wear, Montague
- Atlantic Superstore, Belvedere Avenue, Charlottetown
- Baker's Corner Express Petro Canada, Montague
- Beck's Home Furniture, Montague
- Bohemian Findings, St. Peters Bay
- Buns & Things Bakery, Charlottetown
- Coastal Culture, Charlottetown, Borden Carleton, Cavendish
- Cool as a Moose, Charlottetown
- Green Diamond Equipment, Stratford, Summerside and Bloomfield
- High Tide Milling Company, Tignish
- Inspired Living, North River Causeway and Cavendish Boardwalk
- Island Stoneware, Summerside
- Kent Building Supplies, Island-wide
- Leon's, Charlottetown
- Main Street Pharmasave, Souris
- Maritime Marzipan Confectionery
- Mrs. Dunster's, Borden-Carleton
- O'Leary Building Centre Ltd., O'Leary
- Pigeons Floors & Décor, Montague
- Pure Spa Inc./Moksha Yoga, Charlottetown
- Shoreline Design PEI, Georgetown
- Spring Valley Building Centre Ltd., Kensington
- Tignish Co-operative, Tignish
- Tignish Home Hardware, Tignish
- Town 'n Country Carpet One, Summerside
Transitioning from employee to employer
Some types of retail stores on PEI
- Appliance, TV, & Electronics
- Grocery
- Auto Parts and Accessories
- Health Food Supplies
- Baked Goods
- Books
- Hardware
- Building Materials & Supplies
- Jewellery
- Car, Boat, & Heavy Equipment
- Lawn and Garden Equipment
- Computers & Software
- Luggage and Leather Goods
- Convenience
- Meat, Fish & Seafood Markets
- Department
- Florists
- Office Supplies
- Furniture
- Pharmacies
- Flooring
- Sewing
- Gas Stations
- Sports, Toys, Hobby, Games & Music
- Gift, Novelty & Souvenirs
- Nurseries & Garden Centres
Some staff titles
- General Manager
- Sales Associate
- Service Manager
- Cashier
- Department Manager
- Department Supervisor
- Licensed Technician
- Shipper/Receiver
- Operational Manager
- Associate Buyer
- Sports Clerk
- Service Advisor
- Promoter
Top websites to find PEI retail jobs
- www.workpei.ca
- www.jobbank.gc.ca
- www.careerbeacon.com
- www.workopolis.com
- www.indeed.com
- www.cdspei.ca/jobboard
For an overview of many Job Posting sites, advertising PEI jobs, click here.
For more information about retail careers, visit the Retail Council of Canada at www.retailcouncil.org.
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