QUARTERLY Retail employment jumped 2.5% over last quarter adding 9720. Gains were typical for this quarter of the year. Increases in Eating & Drinking (58) up 4938 comprised better than half of the industry’s gain and occurred throughout the state. Gains were influenced by seasonal expansions for the summer tourist business. Misc Retail (59) added 1315 employees over the quarter, the second largest sector gain. Seasonal hiring for Gift, Novelty & Souvenir Shops added almost 250 employees. The opening of 5 new office supply stores contributed to the increase of 122 in Stationery Stores. Misc Retail Stores up 336 employees includes increases related to the seasonal sales of fireworks. Employment in Auto Dealers-Service Stations (55) advanced by 1065. Expansions in Motor Vehicle Dealers added 474 and Auto Supply Stores added 241. Gasoline Service Stations added 312, a typical seasonal increase. Employment in General Merchandise (53) expanded by 850. The opening of three large stores and additional staffing for back-to-school contributed to the increase. Building Materials-Garden (52) was the only sector to decline, dropping by 210. Losses were seasonal and related to a chain closing. ANNUAL Employment in the Retail industry expanded by 3.5% over a year ago adding 13,597. There is no satiating the hungry. The restaurant industry continues to predominate Retail growth with Eating & Drinking (58) up 4213 employees. . Auto Dealers-Service Stations (55) grew by 2371 employees over the year. Auto parts stores increased by 771, but increases were attributed to SIC changes in January moving about 600 here from Wholesale. Car dealerships grew by 1226 employees due to high demand for new vehicles during our time of prosperity and low interest rates. Misc Retail (59) reported the third largest sector increase up 2367. Within Misc Retail 1162 were added to Misc Shopping Goods, which includes office supply stores, gift and souvenir shops and sporting goods stores. Retail Stores Not Elsewhere Classified, which includes florists, optical goods, tobacco and telephone stores, grew by 464. Apparel & Accessories (56) was the only sector to decline over the year. Employment fell by 100. The most significant factor affecting the decline was the closure of a large shoe store chain in first quarter of 1999.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Third Quarter 1999
