New Retail Stores Transform Cairns Job Market for Workers

Cairns Central's $60 million redevelopment, completed with its grand opening in 2025, added more than 160 stores and 125 ongoing retail jobs after construction began in July 2019.

The project forms part of broader retail expansion that includes recent openings such as the Officeworks store in Portsmith in November 2024 and the planned DFO Cairns site in 2025. These additions coincide with private equity acquisitions of major centres and renewed retailer interest in the CBD, driven by infrastructure investment, population growth and travel resurgence.

Local openings and employment effects

Specific new tenancies at Cairns Central include Rise & Bake, Hong Kong Street and Hero Sushi. Other recent additions across the region encompass Zarraffa’s Coffee in Edmonton, TradeTools hardware outlets and multiple cafes and restaurants. The region supports more than 14,800 local businesses and 88,000 jobs overall, with retail activity contributing directly to workforce needs.

Market trends influencing talent requirements

Retail spending from tourism is forecast to increase by 10.8 per cent per annum until 2026, with airport passenger movements expected to exceed pre-COVID levels by that year. Key 2026 trends shaping the market include unified commerce growth, stores operating as experience and service hubs, flexible fulfilment models and broader AI adoption including autonomous agents. These shifts are expanding requirements for workers skilled in digital tools, customer experience and operational flexibility.

Retailers returning to strategic CBD locations and the addition of new formats signal sustained demand for local talent. Employers are likely to focus on training and recruitment in customer service, technology integration and logistics to meet evolving store operations.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.