Retail jobs in Rhode Island climb

Posted on July 7, 2018

Retail jobs in Rhode Island are increasing, according to recent labor statistics.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2018 was 4.4 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the April rate of 4.5 percent. Over the year, the unemployment rate is unchanged from the May 2017 rate of 4.4 percent.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in May 2018, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous month and down half of a percentage point over the year.

The number of Rhode Island-based jobs are up 7,500 from May 2017.  This is the first time in the state’s history where the number of jobs exceeded a half million.

Retail Trade continued its upward trend, adding 800 jobs in May. Retail Trade has added employment for four consecutive months totaling 1,600 jobs. Over the year, the number of jobs in the Retail Trade sector is up 900.

Employment in the Construction sector rose by 600 in May, ending two consecutive months of job declines. The number of jobs within this sector is up 900 from May 2017.

The number of jobs in the Accommodation & Food Services sector is up 300 in May and up 600 from May 2017.

The Health Care & Social Assistance and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation sectors each added 200 jobs in May. Employment in Health Care & Social Assistance is up 1,900 from a year ago, while Arts, Entertainment & Recreation employment is up 200 from a year ago.

Lastly, an increase of 100 jobs each was reported in the Transportation & Utilities and Government sectors. Employment in both sectors is up 300 and 100, respectively, over the year.

Employment in the Educational Services sector continued its downward trend, shedding 600 jobs in May. This sector has reported job losses in four of the five months of 2018. Overall, the number of jobs is down 1,400 from May 2017.

Financial Activities sector employment fell by 200 in May, however, jobs are up 500 from a year ago.

Finally, the Manufacturing, Other Services and Wholesale Trade sectors all reported a loss of 100 jobs in May. The number of jobs in Manufacturing and Other Services is up 1,000 and 800, respectively, over the year, while being down by 400 in Wholesale Trade.