Growth in Retail trade employment was similar to recent years with the addition of 13,357 jobs. The average wage increased by 5.1 percent to $19,073. The percentage of all jobs that are classified in Retail Trade has decreased for five straight years.

The number of restaurants increased by 182 to average 8,688. Their employment increased by 3.6 percent to 163,192. The average covered wage increased by 5.3 percent to $12,481.

The second largest and second fastest growing sector within Retail Trade is Miscellaneous Retail, with 2,690 additional jobs and an average of 55,514 jobs in 2000. More jobs were added at Sporting Goods and Bicycle Shops than any other miscellaneous sector. In 2000, there were 21 more establishments with 652 more employees. The average employment was 7,860. On a percentage basis, Tobacco Stores and Stands were the fastest growing miscellaneous sector, up 42 percent to 500 jobs.

Food Stores’ employment reversed a long-standing growth trend with a loss of 203 jobs to 51,220. Grocery Stores’ employment declined by 219 jobs to 45,318. The fastest growing sector within Food Stores is Meat and Fish Markets, which expanded by 9.4 percent to 784.

Automotive Dealers and Gasoline Service Stations employment continued to grow with an additional 1,262 jobs to average 42,446 in 2000. New and Used Car Dealers added 7,830 jobs to average 18,189. Auto and Home Supply Stores added 201 jobs to average 7,885. Gasoline Service Stations’ employment declined by 111 jobs to 11,595 with 45 fewer establishments.

General Merchandise Stores added 2,000 jobs and 19 establishments to average 45,018 and 455 respectively. The number of Department Stores increased by 5 to 232 with 42,451 jobs.

Home Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment Stores’ employment increased from 20,121 to 21,256. Radio, TV, & Electronic Stores increased from 315 to 358 with employment increasing by 10.9 percent to 4,509. Furniture Stores employment increased by 2.5 percent to 1,973 after declining the previous year. Miscellaneous home furnishings stores increased by 37 establishments to 325 with an employment increase of 9.2 percent to 3,678.

Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply, and Mobile Home Dealers employment increased by 826 jobs to 20,179. The majority of the increase was in Lumber and Other Building Materials, which added 491 jobs to average 13,545. Hardware Stores increased from 201 to 204 establishments and their employment increased by 5.2 percent to 3,250. Retail nurseries and garden stores employment increased by 12.3 percent to 1,331.