Here are a few facts about the retail industry:

• Retail is one of the most diverse industries touching the lives of Canadians from coast-to-coast.
• In Canada, retail sales were $425.3 billion in 2008, following gains of 5.8% in 2007 and 6.4% in 2006.
• The retail sector is the largest employer in Canada employing over 2 million people.
• It’s an industry that provides 1 out of every 8 Canadian jobs.
• Over the past few years, retail has become a deliberate career choice for many people.
• Retail is a fast-paced, energetic industry with a wide variety of growth opportunities.
• There are more than 220, 000 retail establishments in Canada.

• The retail trade represents close to 10% of all Canadian Business establishments.
• Fastest growing regions in Canada include Newfoundland, Alberta, and Quebec.
• There are nearly 2 million employees in the retail trade in Canada.
• Retail trends indicate that big box retailers and specialty niche retailers have been quite successful over the past 5 years.
• The largest company in the world, Wal-mart, is a retailer!