QUARTERLY Retail Trade employment typically rises in second quarter due to the summer tourist season and seasonal planting and building. This year was no exception with a 1.4% increase over the previous quarter adding 5509 employees. Eating & Drinking (58) rose by 4094. Gains were seasonal resulting from staffing expansions to cover summer tourism and outside dining. Building Materials-Garden (52) grew by 2212 employees. Growth was seasonal facilitating sales for home construction and landscaping projects. Employment in Auto Dealers-Service Stations (55) increased by 1269. Gains were seasonal and covered all subsectors but were strongest in gas stations, motor vehicle dealers and auto supply stores. Quarterly, losses occurred in Misc Retail (59) down 842, Apparel & Accessories (56) down 772, Furniture Stores (57) down 285 and Food Stores (54) down 257. Losses in Misc Retail and Apparel & Accessories were seasonal resulting from final cutbacks following end of the year sales. Losses in Furniture Stores resulted from decreased staffing in housewares and consumer electronics stores. Employment in Food Stores fell due to staffing slowdowns and the closure of a large store due to fire. ANNUAL The Retail industry reported an employment gain of 3.2% and 12,365 new employees over a year ago. Eating & Drinking (58) employment gains of 5728 constituted almost one half of the industry’s growth. Misc Retail (59) incurred the second largest annual gain up 2690 employees. Within Misc Retail, Misc Shopping Goods Stores reported the largest gain up 1387. More than half of its increase occurred in Sporting Goods Stores & Bicycle Shops due to new stores and some expansions. Auto Dealers-Service Stations (55) added 1344 employees over the year. Employment in auto dealerships for both new and used vehicles grew by 985. General Merchandise (53) gained 1342 employees. Physical expansions to existing stores by a major department store chain necessitating more hiring and the opening of four new stores over the course of the year added 1130 to Department Stores. Employment in Apparel & Accessories (56) fell, dropping by 446. The most significant loss occurred in Shoe Stores down 233. Staff reductions due to a bankruptcy and decreased employment caused by a tight labor market contributed to the subsector decline. Food Stores was the only other sector to fall dropping by 363.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Second Quarter 2000
