NRF: Retailers added 24,000 jobs in February

Washington, D.C. -- Despite harsh winter weather throughout the country, retail industry employment in February increased by 24,000 jobs and has increased 218,000 on a year-over-year basis as retailers and merchants again added strength in numbers to the overall economy, according to the National Retail Federation.



Strong monthly gains were witnessed in apparel, building material and supplies, sporting goods and home and home furnishing sectors. Job gains as calculated by NRF do not include auto dealerships, restaurants or gas stations.



The U.S. Department of Labor reported that there was a gain of 295,000 jobs in February, above expectations of 240,000. The unemployment rate fell to 5.5% from 5.6%, while hourly wages ticked up 0.1%.



“Payrolls came in much stronger than expected especially given the issues seen over the past several weeks with the west coast port delays and severe winter weather in the Northeast and Midwest," said NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz. "The strength in the February jobs report bodes well for the next few months in terms of expectations for retail sales and even more job growth in the industry.