Retail

The higher-than-average median incomes for residents, a strong and stable public sector, and the significant impact of the tourism industry result in an excellent environment for the retail industry in Greater Victoria. In 2009, Greater Victoria had retail sales of almost $3.7 billion, an increase of 23 per cent over the almost $3 billion in 2000.

Retail jobs in Greater Victoria increased overall by seven per cent from 2001 to 2006. The retail category with the largest job growth was building and garden equipment stores (+44 per cent, consistent with the surge in new home construction), although clothing and sporting goods stores also increased employment by 18 per cent.

Employment in retail and wholesale trade, which are combined in the Labour Force Survey, increased by 23 per cent in Greater Victoria from 2003 to 2008. This is considerably faster than the growth of eight per cent observed in B.C. overall and the growth of two per cent in Metro Vancouver.

See more information in our latest newsletter.