Labour Market Insights
Retail Trade and Accounting: Top Occupations and In-Demand Jobs for Windsor-Essex for November 2024
Despite both job postings and Job Board interactions being down in Windsor-Essex in November 2024, the local labour market is witnessing significant activity, particularly within the Retail Trade sector. This is largely driven by the impending holiday season, a period traditionally marked by increased consumer spending, but with heightened hiring among retailers mostly completed. At the same time, jobseekers are showing interest in retail positions, attracted by the opportunities and the potential for flexible scheduling that aligns with personal commitments during the busy holiday period. Additionally, the Retail Trade sector offers valuable experience for individuals looking to enhance their customer service skills, making it an appealing choice for those entering the workforce or seeking career advancement.
In November 2024, there were 3,289 total active job postings from 1,315 companies for a decrease of 17% in total active job postings from the previous month. The number of new job postings also decreased this month, down 16% from October, with 1,841 new jobs posted in the month of November. The Job Board received 22,789 job post clicks, down 9% from the previous month.
The top 15 searched-for occupations overall in Windsor-Essex for November 2024 on the Job Board were:
| Ranking | Searched Overall in November 2024 | Number of Search Instances (November 2024) | Net Change from October 2024 | % Change from October 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers | 1,262 | +115 | +10.0% |
| 2 | Store Shelf Stockers, Clerks and Order Fillers | 847 | +58 | +7.4% |
| 3 | Administrative Assistants | 803 | +129 | +19.1% |
| 4 | Material Handlers | 756 | -1 | -0.1% |
| 5 | Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations | 643 | -82 | -11.3% |
| 6 | Other Customer and Information Services Representatives | 620 | +89 | +16.8% |
| 7 | Administrative Officers | 514 | -6 | -1.2% |
| 8 | Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities | 508 | -275 | -35.1% |
| 9 | Delivery Service Drivers and Door-to-Door Distributors | 446 | -175 | -28.2% |
| 10 | Light Duty Cleaners | 434 | +241 | +124.9% |
| 11 | Cashiers | 402 | -24 | -5.6% |
| 12 | Transport Truck Drivers | 371 | -26 | -6.6% |
| 13 | Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers | 370 | +200 | +117.7% |
| 14 | Receptionists | 345 | -104 | -23.2% |
| 15 | Medical Administrative Assistants | 341 | -70 | -17.0% |
These numbers are specific to the Job Board. To learn more about the occupations listed in these tables, visit the Career Library.
Occupations that saw a significant increase in interactions on the Job Board in November as compared to October include Light Duty Cleaners (up 124.9%), Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers (up 117.7%), Administrative Assistants (up 19.1%), Other Customer and Information Services Representatives (up 16.8%), and Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers (up 10.0%).
Occupations that saw a significant decrease in interactions on the Job Board in November as compared to October include Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities (down 35.1%); Delivery Service Drivers and Door-to-Door Distributors (down 28.2%); Receptionists (down 23.2%); Medical Administrative Assistants (down 17.0%); and Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations (down 11.3%).
From the above table, we can see certain occupations related to the Retail Trade sector received an increase in interactions from jobseekers on the Job Board. This includes Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers (up 10.0%); Store Shelf Stockers, Clerks and Order Fillers (up 7.4%); and Other Customer and Information Services Representatives (up 16.8%). While job postings are down for these occupations, as we will see below, this does show that jobseekers are anticipating a busier holiday season where the Retail Trade sector would be looking to hire additional staff to accommodate holiday shopping and cover vacations. Additionally, the increase in interactions with Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers job postings also show that jobseekers in that field are anticipating the upcoming tax season.
The top 20 in-demand occupations by local employers for November 2024 were:
| Ranking | In-Demand Occupation for November 2024 | Posting Count (November 2024) | Net Change from October 2024 | % Change from October 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers | 126 | -58 | -31.5% |
| 2 | Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations | 96 | -24 | -20.0% |
| 3 | Transport Truck Drivers | 95 | -23 | -19.5% |
| 4 | Store Shelf Stockers, Clerks and Order Fillers | 90 | -13 | -12.6% |
| 5 | Cooks | 74 | -29 | -28.2% |
| 6 | Food Service Supervisors | 63 | -9 | -12.5% |
| 7 | Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses | 58 | -52 | -47.3% |
| 8 | Home Support Workers, Caregivers and Related Occupations | 58 | -29 | -33.3% |
| 9 | Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers | 55 | -29 | -34.5% |
| 10 | Administrative Assistants | 54 | +2 | +3.9% |
| 11 | Administrative Officers | 52 | -9 | -14.8% |
| 12 | Material Handlers | 52 | -21 | -28.7% |
| 13 | Early Childhood Educators and Assistants | 43 | -5 | -10.4% |
| 14 | Restaurant and Food Service Managers | 43 | -7 | -14.0% |
| 15 | Other Customer and Information Services Representatives | 42 | +5 | +13.5% |
| 16 | Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers | 39 | +11 | +39.3% |
| 17 | Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors | 37 | +9 | +32.1% |
| 18 | Delivery Service Drivers and Door-to-Door Distributors | 35 | -5 | -12.5% |
| 19 | Retail Sales Supervisors | 34 | -7 | -17.1% |
| 20 | Security Guards and Related Security Service Occupations | 34 | -12 | -26.1% |
Occupations that saw an increase in total active job postings in November as compared to October include Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers (up 39.3%), Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors (up 32.1%), Other Customer and Information Services Representatives (up 13.5%), and Administrative Assistants (up 3.9%).
Occupations that saw a decrease in total active job postings in November as compared to October include Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (down 47.3%); Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers (down 34.5%); Home Support Workers, Caregivers and Related Occupations (down 33.3%); Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers (down 31.5%); and Material Handlers (down 28.7%).
In comparing the most searched-for and most in-demand jobs lists for the region in November, the following occupations saw both a significant increase in searches and in job postings: Administrative Assistants, Other Customer and Information Services Representatives, and Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers.
Typically we see an increase in demand for Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers around this time of year as the tax season is set to ramp up. Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers maintain complete sets of books, keep records of accounts, verify the procedures used for recording financial transactions, and provide personal bookkeeping services. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed. Regional employers for Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers include Load Boss Logistics, Casilco Corporation, The Corporation of the City of Windsor, Mperiall Professional Services Ltd., and KPMG LLP.
Also of note on the list of in-demand occupations that saw quite an increase in November over the previous month is Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors. Machinists set up and operate a variety of machine tools to cut or grind metal, plastic, or other materials to make or modify parts or products with precise dimensions. Machining and Tooling Inspectors inspect machined parts and tooling in order to maintain quality control standards. They are employed by machinery, equipment, motor vehicle, automotive parts, aircraft, and other metal products manufacturing companies and by machine shops. Regional employers for Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors include SyBridge Technologies Inc., Centerline (Windsor) Limited, Calibur Tool & Mold Inc., ABC Technologies, and Reko International Group Inc.
Hiring by 2-Digit NAICS:
| Ranking | NAICS Code | 2-Digit NAICS Label | Posting Count (November 2024) | Net Change from October 2024 | % Change from October 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 44-46 | Retail Trade | 546 | -217 | -28.4% |
| 2. | 62 | Healthcare and Social Assistance | 500 | -268 | -34.9% |
| 3. | 31-33 | Manufacturing | 484 | -97 | -16.7% |
| 4. | 56 | Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services | 428 | -224 | -34.4% |
| 5. | 72 | Accommodation and Food Services | 327 | -106 | -24.5% |
| 6. | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | 283 | -92 | -24.5% |
| 7. | 54 | Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 280 | -156 | -35.8% |
| 8. | 81 | Other Services (Except Public Administration) | 176 | -87 | -33.1% |
| 9. | 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 148 | -55 | -27.1% |
| 10. | 23 | Construction | 131 | -74 | -36.1% |
| 11. | 91 | Public Administration | 107 | -23 | -17.7% |
| 12. | 52 | Finance and Insurance | 93 | -44 | -32.1% |
| 13. | 41 | Wholesale Trade | 92 | -19 | -17.1% |
| 14. | 61 | Educational Services | 90 | -44 | -32.8% |
| 15. | 71 | Arts, Entertainment and Recreation | 76 | -9 | -10.6% |
| 16. | 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 51 | -6 | -10.5% |
| 17. | 51 | Information and Cultural Industries | 50 | -3 | -5.6% |
| 18. | 22 | Utilities | 13 | -3 | -18.8% |
| 19. | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 5 | -3 | -37.5% |
| 20. | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 4 | +1 | +33.3% |
All sectors (except for Management of Companies and Enterprises, which is very small in Windsor-Essex to begin with) saw decreases in job postings for the month of November. Job postings were down 17% overall in the region, so this is no surprise. We also see that Retail Trade took over in the top hiring sector spot, despite being down 28.4% over the previous month. Interestingly, interactions with Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers job postings were up 10.0%, as noted in the top most searched-for occupations this month. Businesses in the Retail Trade sector are busier at this time of the year, although they likely completed the majority of their hiring in the weeks leading up to November so new staff are onboarded and trained before the holiday shopping season.
Similarly, job postings could be down as companies would wait until the new year to hire to fill vacancies to avoid holiday-related vacations and interruptions in the interviewing, hiring, and onboarding process.
In-Demand Skills and Key Job Requirements
For those looking for work over the holiday season, whether it’s part time, full time, or even an extra temporary gig, looking at the top in-demand skills and key job requirements may give you an advantage.
Looking at some of the most in-demand skills from job postings in November, we see that many include skills like communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills– all great to include on your resume and cover letter for job postings in the Retail Trade sector.
Appearing on the Key Job Requirements list is regular access to a vehicle, which also matches up with driving being listed as one of the most in-demand skills from the above list as well.
Top Hiring Employers:
Looking at the companies posting jobs in Windsor-Essex, the below table shows the top 10 hiring companies in the region.
| Ranking | Company | Number of Postings (November 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Loblaws Companies | 87 |
| 2. | Windsor Regional Hospital | 62 |
| 3. | NextStar Energy | 43 |
| 4. | Corporation of the City of Windsor | 36 |
| 5. | Walmart Canada | 29 |
| 6. | AgeCare Royal Oak Long Term Care Residence | 27 |
| 7. | Starbucks | 27 |
| 8. | Plasman | 25 |
| 9. | Mucci Farms Ltd. | 24 |
| 10. | Mastronardi Produce Limited | 23 |
Looking at the above list of top hiring employers for the region, we can see where some of the job postings in the Retail Trade sector were coming from, such as Loblaws Companies and Walmart Canada. And while hiring in the Healthcare and Social Assistance sector was down in November as compared to October, we still see a demand from certain organizations, such as Windsor Regional Hospital and AgeCare Royal Oak Long Term Care Residence.
THE FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT WERE SOURCED FROM:
MONTHLY JOB DEMAND REPORT
As of April 2019, the monthly Job Demand Report for Windsor-Essex is created by Workforce WindsorEssex using data collected from unique national, provincial and locally-significant job boards. Between May 2017 and March 2019, job posting data was purchased from CEB Talent Neuron.
MONTHLY JOB SEARCH REPORT
The monthly Job Search Report for Windsor-Essex is created by Workforce WindsorEssex using data collected from four job finding tools, including WEexplore, WEmap jobs, WEjobs board, and the Bridge Timeline Tool. Gender and age information of users is voluntarily shared with the organization.
Questions? Please contact: info@workforcewindsoressex.com.
