Wholesale Trade
Industry Overview
Wholesalers sell consumers goods that have been purchased from suppliers. The goods sold are produced locally or imported from other regions and other countries.
Wholesalers can be thought of as “middle men,” usually supplying goods for resale or industrial use.
The Wholesale Trade industry includes everything from small corner stores to big-box chains and wholesale distribution centres.
Key Facts
- The Wholesale industry accounts for a large portion of provincial employment.
- The industry is sensitive to general economic conditions, as well as to changing consumer trends.
- Most of the employment in this industry occurs in the regions with the highest populations: Mainland / Southwest and Vancouver Island / Coast.
- Wages for most workers in this industry are below the provincial all-industry average.
Hourly Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Below are the average hourly earnings for this industry.
B.C. Average Hourly Earnings (2023)
| Men | $38.00/hr |
| Women | $32.00/hr |
| Youth | $21.00/hr |
Industry Average Hourly Earnings (2023)
| Men | $40.21/hr |
| Women | $32.82/hr |
| Youth | $23.07/hr |
Workforce
The workforce includes people who are employed or unemployed but actively looking for work. The workforce is made up of people who are 15 years of age and older and living in Canada.
Employment by Sex (2023)
BC Average (2023)
Employment by Age Group
| Age Group | Industry Average (2023) | B.C. Average (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 - 24 years | 5.8% | 13.3% |
| 25 - 54 years | 60.0% | 64.8% |
| 55+ years | 34.2% | 21.9% |
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Latest Employment Trends
May 2025 vs. Apr 2025
Employment
% Change
Employment by Region
| Region | % Employment this Industry (2023) | % Employment All Industries (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 3.8% | 3.0% |
| Kootenay | 1.3% | 2.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 71.8% | 64.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Northeast | 1.2% | 1.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 10.8% | 10.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 9.8% | 15.8% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
Forecasted 10-Year Industry Share of Total Employment
Top Occupations by Job Openings
Top occupations are those with stronger demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.
Resources
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Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canadahttps://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en
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North American Industry Classification Systemhttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/concepts/industry-industrie-eng.htm
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Retail Council of Canadahttps://www.retailcouncil.org
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Retail Wholesale Unionhttp://www.rwunion.com/