September 29, 2005 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Productivity in retail trade, 2004

Productivity, as measured by output per hour, increased 6.1 percent in retail trade in 2004. Output rose by 6.5 percent while hours increased by 0.4 percent.

[Chart data—TXT]

Labor productivity rose in 21 of the 27 detailed retail trade industries in 2004. The largest increases were 18.1 percent in sporting goods and musical instrument stores and 17.2 percent in electronic shopping and mail order houses.

From 1987 to 2004, labor productivity in retail trade increased 3.4 percent per year, while output increased 4.3 percent, and hours increased 0.8 percent per year.

This information is from the BLS Productivity and Costs Program. Productivity data are subject to revision. Additional information is available from "Productivity and Costs by Industry: Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, and Food Services and Drinking Places, 2004" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 05-1820. 

 

Related TED article:

• Restaurant productivity growth in 2004