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Supermarkets in Brazil are suffering from a lack of labor. 8 out of 10 essential positions do not have enough professionals, affecting the operation of stores.
Supermarkets in Brazil are facing a serious problem of labor shortage, with difficulties in filling out 8 of the top 10 occupations, which represent almost 70% of the workforce in these establishments.
This situation was revealed by a survey by the National Confederation of Trade in Goods (CNC ), published in March 11th, 2025, at the request of the newspaper Estadão.
The study points out that several factors have contributed to this challenging scenario, directly affecting the operation of supermarkets and customer service.
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The lack of workers not only impacts the retail sector, but also generates a cascade effect that affects consumers, suppliers and the entire supply chain.
With fewer professionals to perform essential functions, supermarkets have registered increased waiting time in queues, drop in service quality and even difficulties in replenishing products.
Main positions affected by the shortage
According to the CNC, the positions that suffer most from the lack of workers are:
- Cashier
- Baker
- Butcher
- Packer
- Restocker
- Store attendant
- Seller
- Food Service Assistant
These functions are fundamental to the day-to-day running of the sector, and the lack of professionals has led establishments to overload existing workers and seek alternative solutions.
What is causing the worker shortage?
The CNC study points out two main factors that explain this difficulty:
Low unemployment rate
The latest survey by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) showed that the unemployment rate among the Economically Active Population was 6,5% in the quarter ending January 2025.
This means that there are fewer people actively seeking formal employment.
Preference for informal work
Many young people are opting for informal jobs, such as app delivery and freelance work, which offer more flexible hours and, in some cases, more attractive income.
Furthermore, there is an ongoing cultural issue: the new generation seeks more autonomy, quality of life and opportunities for rapid growth, something that traditional retail often cannot offer immediately.
Salaries and market share
The CNC survey also analyzed the starting pay for each of these occupations and the salary variation over the last year. See the data below:
| Occupation | Starting salary (Dec. 2024 – R$) | Salary variation (Dec. 2023 – Dec. 2024 – %) | Share of total employment (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashier | 1.683,43 | 6,85% | 17,57% |
| Restocker | 1.660,64 | 6,61% | 15,03% |
| Store attendant | 1.683,31 | 6,89% | 10,29% |
| Seller | 1.842,96 | 13,69% | 6,87% |
| Butcher | 1.899,53 | 7,17% | 6,82% |
| Food Service Assistant | 1.709,48 | 6,71% | 2,68% |
| Packer | 1.435,27 | 8,34% | 2,66% |
| Baker | 1.988,21 | 7,55% | 2,35% |
| Snack bar attendant | 1.651,00 | 4,55% | 2,38% |
| Janitor | 1.620,97 | 4,33% | 2,28% |
How are supermarkets dealing with the lack of workers?
To mitigate this shortage, supermarkets have adopted some strategies, such as:
Automation and self-service
Many networks are investing in self-checkouts and ATMs to reduce reliance on cashiers.
Partnerships with educational institutions
Some chains are signing agreements with technical schools to train young people in roles such as baker and butcher.
Benefits and incentives
Supermarkets have started offering career plans, internal training and benefits such as more robust food vouchers to attract candidates.
The impact of the lack of workers on the consumer
With labor shortages, supermarkets may face increase in prices, longer queues and reduced quality of service.
Furthermore, the workload for professionals who remain employed can directly impact the efficiency and well-being of these employees.
For consumers, this means potentially slower service and possibly higher prices for goods, as companies will need to offer more competitive wages to attract workers.
The future of the supermarket job market
The trend is that the search for professionals will continue to be a challenge for supermarkets in the coming years.
As the job market evolves, new strategies will need to be implemented to make these careers more attractive and ensure that the demand for labor is met.
Look at those ridiculous salaries. And I bet it's a 6x1 scale!
You really have to boycott it.
Of course, salaries like that, when people can't even cover their basic expenses, everyone is running away.