Canada Sees Surge in Older Retail Workers

New data reveals shifting workforce demographics as retail employers increasingly hire Canadians aged 65 and older.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Employment

Isometric editorial illustration of a neatly organized retail store aisle, illustrating recent labor trends in the Canadian retail sector. — Statistics Canada data indicates that the proportion of retail employees aged 65 and older in Canada has increased significantly since 2017. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Statistics Canada reports that the share of retail staff aged 65 and older rose significantly between 2017 and 2024. This change occurs alongside a period of declining youth employment and growing business reliance on artificial intelligence.

Why it matters

The retail sector historically serves as a vital entry point into the workforce for young people and newcomers, but economic pressures and shifting demographics are forcing employers to adapt. These workforce changes are influenced by factors including trade tensions, persistent inflation, and rising input costs.

Official government statistics confirm that retail staff aged 65 and older grew from 3.7 per cent in 2017 to 5.5 per cent by 2024. Whether this trend will continue as the working-age population ages remains under observation.

The players

Statistics Canada

This is the national statistical agency responsible for producing statistics to help Canadians better understand their country.

The details

The retail sector, which employed approximately two million people in 2024, is seeing varied workforce changes across sub-industries such as building material and garden supply dealers, where 10.0 per cent of staff are now 65 or older. Meanwhile, nearly half of businesses using artificial intelligence in 2026 reported modifying their staffing or training practices.

2017-2024: Period tracked by the Statistics Canada workforce study.
Q2 2026: Period when 19.2 per cent of businesses reported using artificial intelligence.
September 2026: Youth employment fell by 48,000 as the youth unemployment rate held at 13.0 per cent.
October 21, 2026: Official release date of the Statistics Canada retail workforce study.

Macro View

The rise in older retail workers follows the broader pattern of a shrinking youth labour pool relative to the 23.2 per cent of the population currently 65 or older. This demographic shift mirrors historical patterns where economic sectors must adjust hiring strategies to account for an aging national workforce.

Canadians may notice more older workers at retail counters as businesses adapt to demographic shifts. For job seekers, these changes, combined with the 13.0 per cent youth unemployment rate, highlight an increasingly competitive environment for entry-level positions.

The takeaway

Employers are increasingly relying on older Canadians to maintain store operations as youth employment metrics face significant downward pressure. Understanding these demographic shifts is essential for individuals navigating current changes in the national labour market.