Employers added 169,000 jobs in August. Retailers added 44,000 jobs, one of the highest growth industries to close out the summer on a positive hiring trend.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the industry's number of employed workers at approximately 15.2 million, the highest in five years. Retail employment is nearly 500,000 workers more than a year ago at this time.
Retailers shift gears in the coming months, adding part-time and seasonal help to meet holiday demands. Last year, nearly 700,000 seasonal employees were hired. Slight economic improvement should translate to similar opportunities in the coming months.