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RETAIL TRADE
(52 - 59)

Employment change from last quarter+ 2.8
Employment change from year ago+ 2.5
Wage change from year ago+ 8.6

QUARTERLY

Employment in the Retail industry rose 2.8% over last quarter adding 10,520. More than half of the quarterly gain occurred in restaurants up 5915. The increase is typical for this time of year, influenced by summer tourism and outside dining areas. General Merchandise (53) grew by 1429 employees. The opening of three new stores and the expansion of an existing store in Pueblo generated most of the employment gain. Food stores (54) added 1275 workers with almost all of the increase in grocery stores. One large company gained more than 400 employees as they shifted reporting functions to another part of the country. It is not known if the employment gain is genuine or a change in reporting methods. Another large chain added about 600 for the month of August. No explanation was available for the temporary one month increase. Building Materials-Garden (52) was the only sector to decline over the quarter dropping by 44 employees. Losses or stagnation is common in this sector as it seasonally peaks during second quarter when many families undertake lawn and garden as well as home enhancements.

ANNUAL

Annually, Retail Trade showed strong growth gaining 9610 employees since third quarter 1997 and growing 2.5%. The strongest component was Restaurants (58) with the addition of 2298 employees occurring mainly in the Balance of State. Food Stores (54) reported the second largest sector increase up 1682 employees. The opening of several new grocery stores, coffee shops and health food stores contributed to the annual growth in this sector. Expansions and new establishments in the sporting goods, bicycle and greeting card retail arena contributed to the addition of 1486 workers in Misc Retail (59). General Merchandise (53) gained 1222 employees. The majority of the increase occurred in department stores as a result of new store openings taking place during third quarter 1998. The health of the Colorado economy continues to evidence itself by the addition of 1183 employees in Furniture Stores (57). The opening of a particularly large housewares store in Douglas county during second quarter 1998 and a couple of furniture stores added employment to this sector

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Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Third Quarter 1998