EVANS HAILS STRONG MAY RETAIL SALES GROWTH
MORE JOBS MEAN MORE CONSUMER SPENDING

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today praised the strong May retail sales growth number as proof the Bush Administration’s policies are working:

“More Americans are going on spending sprees at shopping malls as more people are finding well-paying jobs. Due to President Bush’s leadership, the economy is growing and consumers are spending more with their pocketbooks. The Bush Administration’s efforts to provide tax relief are creating more jobs, causing consumers to buy, and propelling the economy into expanded recovery.”

Retail Sales Background: According to the Commerce Department, May Retail Sales rose 1.2% to a seasonably adjusted annual rate of $335.8 billion. Most retailers experienced gains in sales including motor vehicle dealers, department stores and other general merchandise stores, grocery stores, health and personal care stores, and clothing and accessory stores.

Employment Background: New jobs are growing and the unemployment rate is dropping across the country. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment over the last year was up in 44 of the 50 states and the unemployment rate was down in all regions and in 47 of the 50 states.

Nationwide, more than a quarter of a million jobs per month have been created so far this year and more than 1.4 million jobs have been added since August, with 9 consecutive months of gains. The national employment rate stood at 5.6% in May – 0.7 percentage points below the peak of 6.3% in June 2003 and below the average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Manufacturing employment increased 32,000 in May, and was revised upward by 22,000 jobs for March and April. Manufacturing employment has risen for four consecutive months.