Retail Trade seasonally advanced gaining 6280 employees, up 1.8% over last quarter. Sector activity was mixed. Eating & Drinking (58) continued to dominate industry gains as evidenced by the addition of 4958 employees. Bldg Materials-Garden (52) incurred the second largest increase up 1391 employees. Gains were primarily seasonal although one large chain opened a new store in the metro area this quarter. Apparel & Accessories (56) dropped 1057 employees. Store closures in mid first quarter in Womens Clothing Stores (562) and seasonal cutbacks in the ski towns in Misc Apparel & Accessory Stores (569) covered most of the employment disrobing in the Apparel & Accessories sector.
ANNUAL
Annual advances in Retail Trade employment remain high at 7.0% with 23,092 new employees. All sectors added employees over a year ago second quarter, but almost half of the industry growth occurred in Eating & Drinking (58). Eating & Drinking gained 10,410 employees. Misc Retail (59) added 3843 employees and General Merchandise (53) 3813. Growth in Misc Retail was found in Misc Sporting Goods Stores (564), Nonstore Retailers (596), Retail Stores Not Elsewhere Classified (599). The opening of a number of new stores caused most of the gain in all but Nonstore Retailers. The increase in Nonstore Retailers occurred when a large company ceased working through a temporary help agency and brought staff in house.
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