US retail sector jobs
decreased by 20,200 in December 2017 compared to November, said the National
Retail Federation (NRF). The number, which excludes automobile dealers,
gasoline stations and restaurants, is in contrast to the rise in 20,500 jobs
seen in November over October. Overall, the economy added 148,000 jobs in
December, the labour department said.
Retail numbers were lower than NRF’s expectations
but these are seasonally adjusted figures and can be revised, an NRF press
release quoted chief economist Jack Kleinhenz as saying. Kleinhenz noted that
retail job numbers reported by the labour department count only employees who
work in stores while excluding retail workers in other parts of the business
such as corporate headquarters, distribution centres, call centres and
innovation labs.
Average hourly earnings increased by 2.5 per cent
year-over-year, and the unemployment rate remained at 4.1 per cent in December,
unchanged from November. NRF believes the rise in employment and wages should
bolster income and subsequently spending. Preliminary reports indicate that retailers hired
565,000 seasonal employees during November and December, added, NRF, the
world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and
specialty stores, main street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain
restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45
countries.
Source: Daily Freeman, U.S.A Saturday, 13 January 2018