Retail employment was up by a net of 18,200 in November, as the 39,300-person gain in general merchandise stores was largely offset by declines at building material stores (-10,900) and sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (-14,100). It being November, one has to be careful using the first version of the retail employment numbers. While the BLS does try to seasonally adjust these numbers, it is not uncommon to see them move around as the revision process takes place.
Over the past eleven months this sector has added 49,600 jobs, which is 2.2% of the gain in total private employment over the same period.
