Retail jobs in Rhode Island decline
Posted on April 4, 2019
The number of retail jobs in Rhode Island has decreased, according to recent labor statistics.
In January, the number of Rhode Island-based jobs totaled 496,000, a decrease of 1,700 jobs from the revised December job count of 497,700. Since January 2018, jobs in the state are up 2,400.
In January, a loss of 1,300 jobs was reported in the Professional & Business Services sector, stemming from large job declines reported among landscaping companies. The number of jobs in the Professional & Business Services sector is unchanged from a year ago.
The Retail Trade sector lost 400 jobs in January, the first job loss within this sector since September. Over the year, the number of jobs in Retail Trade is up 500.
Both the Construction and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation sectors lost 200 jobs in January. The Construction employment level in January was 19,300, the highest January employment level since 2008 (21,100). The number of jobs in the Construction sector is up 900 from January 2018, while the number of jobs in Arts, Entertainment & Recreations is down 1,100 during this period.
Lastly, a loss of 100 jobs was reported in of the Educational Services, Government, Financial Activities and Other Services sectors.
Wholesale Trade reported the largest job gain in January, adding 400 jobs from December. Employment within this sector is up 100 from a year ago.
The number of jobs in the Accommodation & Food Services rose by 200 in January, ending four consecutive months of job declines. Over the year, Accommodation & Food Services employment is down 300.
The Transportation & Utilities and Manufacturing sectors each added 100 jobs in January, with the number of jobs in Transportation & Utilities being up 400 from a year ago while Manufacturing jobs are down 800 from January 2018.
Employment in the Health Care & Social Assistance, Information and Mining & Logging sectors remained unchanged in January. Employment in all three sectors is up from last January. Health Care & Social Assistance employment is up 900 from last year, while employment in Information and Mining & Logging are up 100 each.
