A lot has been happening in Canadian retail over the last year, and, unfortunately, people have been focusing on the negatives including store closures and the end of some brands. What you might not know is that quite a few brands have been opening new stores as well. There are lots of career opportunities in retail, and here are some of the companies you might want to check out.
Chick-fil-A
Many are aware of this popular fried chicken shop from its multiple mentions in pop culture. Now we Canadians can see what all the fuss is about. Starting with Toronto, the chain plans to open five locations before 2024. The chain is known for great employee benefits, including 401(k) retirement plans and medical insurance. Additional perks may include restaurant discounts, scholarships and paid time off. Maybe there will be one near you soon.
Eatly
This cleverly named Italian eatery and marketplace already has locations in Japan and Turkey and has decided to call Canada home as well. The first location is opening in Yorkville in 2019 with no word on where we can expect them to pop up next. Known as a fun place to work with flexible work schedules.
Mumuso
This lifestyle store has a great sense of style and an array of products for the home as well as skincare products and cosmetics. They’re going head-to-head with their similar cousin Miniso, starting in the Vancouver market, with stores currently open in Kerrisdale and Richmond. They say they provide a challenging and innovative environment for their employees with the opportunity to develop further expertise.
TripAdvisor
The online behemoth selected Canada for its first retail location, starting in Toronto’s Pearson airport and spreading across North America. Experiential in concept, the stores will provide information on hotels and attractions as well as travel amenities, with a focus on the local area, large interactive screens and a knowledgeable staff. This is a great opportunity for those with good people skills and knowledge of travel.
Dylan’s Candy Bar
Known for its wide selection of candy including its own private label offerings, the American retailer so far has only one shop open and that’s in Toronto’s Pearson airport. But they don’t sell only candy, the store includes a fun selection of gifts and lifestyle goods. And yes, employees get free candy!
Decathlon
This French sporting goods retailer is the largest in the world with locations in 47 countries. Their selection includes over 20 private label lines covering a variety of sports. Their focus is to provide equipment of quality at affordable prices for all levels of sports enthusiasts. Currently, they are set up only in Quebec, hopefully with more Canadian retail locations to follow. A great home for those who are passionate about sports and are “out-the-box” thinkers. They are looking for people who are open to the opportunity of international positions and experience.
Laline
This Israel-based lifestyle brand wants to be the one-stop shop for beauty products in Canada. Currently, they have five stores in Ontario and are focused on bringing the brand to the rest of the country. Its product line is lower priced than many luxury brands and includes products for babies and teens. They are known for a high-energy, fun culture and provide commission and rewards on top of the hourly wage.
Oasis Fashion
The UK based fast fashion retailer has started its Canadian rollout in Halifax with casual wear and evening styles focused on women in their 20s. The large-format stores will be coming to shopping malls in major cities, and Oasis is also looking at being carried by Hudson’s Bay. It’s a great opportunity for someone interested in fashion, and they provide job opportunities all over the world.
Peloton
Called the “Netflix of fitness” this New York-based fitness company currently has locations in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. Known for their live classes and exercise bikes, Peloton also has online classes that can be done from home including yoga, boot camp and running offerings. Along with competitive wages and benefits, they offer scholarships and all sorts of perks. They focus on employing from within, so there are great opportunities for advancement.
These are only a few of the companies that have opened in Canadian retail in the last year. Others include diamond retailers, liquid nitrogen ice cream shops, Australian upscale furniture brands and cult beauty retailers out of San Francisco. This shows there are still many opportunities to be had in Canada’s retail marketplace! Follow us on social media for news, updates and tips to help grow your career.
