Retailers added 22,000 jobs in April
The retail industry added nearly 22,000 jobs in April, accounting for almost one-fifth of total job growth. This increase brings the total number of employees in the retail industry to nearly 15.5 million, the most since July 2024.
Retailers are ramping up hiring despite economic concerns, as consumers continue to shop. Warehouse clubs and supercenters drove sector hiring in April, while department stores and sellers of electronics and appliances saw payrolls shrink.
The labor market also gained 38,000 courier and messenger jobs in April, partly compensating for jobs lost earlier this year due to weather. This growth in retail and transportation helped total job growth come in far ahead of economists’ expectations for April.