January 8, 2021
Good and bad news: The retail sector added 121,000 jobs in December but total employment in the U.S. declined by 140,000 throughout the month.
Close to half of the growth in retail occurred in general merchandise stores, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which released its December jobs report this morning. General merchandise stores include department stores and warehouse clubs.
Online-only retail gained 14,000 jobs last month, while clothing and accessories stores a category that includes jewelry stores added 7,700 jobs. Retail employment is still 411,000 lower than it was in February, a fact that “reflects the recent increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and efforts to contain the pandemic,” the agency notes.