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RETAIL TRADE
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Retail Trade grew to 338,178 employees in 1994. The increase of 20,766 was a third higher than last year's gain of 15,517. This year's growth rate of 6.5 percent helps reflect a strong Colorado economy. All of the categories within Retail expanded by more than 6.0 percent with the exception of Food Stores and Apparel & Accessories, up 2.7 and 3.1 percent respectively.

The highest growth rates occurred within Building Materials-Garden Supplies up 13.2 percent and Furniture-Home Furnishings up 13.9 percent. Counties with significant increases in one of both of these categories include Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, El Paso, Larimer and Mesa.

Eating out continues to grow in popularity as Eating Establishments expand by 8402 or 6.7 percent to a total of 134,039 employees. This outpaces last year's increase of 6867 or 5.8 percent. The Balance of State increased by 5210, leaving just 3192 as the increase in the Metro Denver area.

Expansion of factory outlet stores in Castle Rock and Loveland has significantly increased retail employment in their respective counties. Douglas county grew by 32 percent to 5343, while Larimer was up 9.7 percent to 21,351.



 19901991199219931994
Statewide288,226292,497301,895317,412338,178
Metro Denver147,035148,980152,915159,165167,948
Bal. of State141,191143,517148,980158,247170,230