Content about Unemployment

May 3, 2013
Retail industry showed significant job growth in April; unemployment falls by 0.1%

The retail industry added nearly 30,000 jobs last month amid a general uptick in hiring that brought unemployment down to 7.5%, according to the Department of Labor.

WASHINGTON — The retail industry added nearly 30,000 jobs last month amid a general uptick in hiring that brought unemployment down to 7.5%, according to the Department of Labor.

The department's monthly jobs report showed the economy added 165,000 jobs, including 29,000 in the retail industry, which accounts for the largest number of private sector jobs. In addition, the March jobs report, which initially showed that the economy added only 88,000 jobs, was revised upward to 138,000, while the February report was revised upward to 332,000.

May 16, 2012
Retailers more concerned over impact of rising gas prices versus unemployment

Concern over rising fuel prices has eclipsed unemployment — the leading worry since 2009 — as the No. 1 factor that keeps retailers up at night, according to a study released by BDO USA on Monday, though the current uptick in consumer spending somewhat alleviates that concern.

CHICAGO — Concern over rising fuel prices has eclipsed unemployment — the leading worry since 2009 — as the No. 1 factor that keeps retailers up at night, according to a study released by BDO USA on Monday, though the current uptick in consumer spending somewhat alleviates that concern. "Despite a dip in April, consumer spending has been improving, and retail executives feel that their strategy adjustments are on point," stated Doug Hart, partner in the Retail and Consumer Products Practice at BDO USA.

April 20, 2012
Generics among fastest-growing industries this decade, report finds

According to the latest numbers, the country's economy is slowly growing, while unemployment has been slowly declining. But while growth has been somewhat less than stellar, 10 industries have outpaced the rest of the economy, including generic drugs.

NEW YORK — According to the latest numbers, the country's economy is slowly growing, while unemployment has been slowly declining. But while growth has been somewhat less than stellar, 10 industries have outpaced the rest of the economy, including generic drugs.

February 10, 2012
2012 not looking good for consumer spending

The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index continued on a downward trend in January, and consumer spending will face additional economic headwinds in 2012, according to Deloitte.

NEW YORK — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index continued on a downward trend in January, and consumer spending will face additional economic headwinds in 2012, according to Deloitte. The index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

December 13, 2011
Jobless and underemployed scrimping on health care

The unemployed and underemployed have limited access to health care and, in many cases, are putting off seeking medical care, according to the "Long-Term Unemployed Survey" released on Monday by NPR News and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

MENLO PARK, Calif. — The unemployed and underemployed have limited access to health care and, in many cases, are putting off seeking medical care, according to the "Long-Term Unemployed Survey" released on Monday by NPR News and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

When they are sick or need medical advice, the long‐term unemployed and underemployed are much more likely than those with full‐time jobs to say they rely on a hospital emergency room or that they have no usual place to go for care (39% compared with 15% of full‐time employees).

August 8, 2011
July job growth up slightly; recovery still on pace

The U.S. economy still has a pulse, as evidenced in the slight increase of jobs in July as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy still has a pulse, as evidenced in the slight increase of jobs in July as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. According to the latest employment figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday, 117,000 jobs were added in July, with the greatest job gains coming in health care (31,000), retail (26,000) and the manufacture of durable goods (more than 24,000). The unemployment was little changed, dropping to 9.1%, the BLS reported.

The question is whether that pulse is strengthening or weakening.

June 14, 2011
Consumer spending continues to take a hit, Deloitte Consumer Spending Index finds

Rising unemployment claims, coupled with rising food and energy prices, prompted a decline in consumer spending outlook for May, according to Deloitte.

NEW YORK — Rising unemployment claims, coupled with rising food and energy prices, prompted a decline in consumer spending outlook for May, according to Deloitte.

The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index, which is comprised of four components — tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices — fell to 2.66%, from an upwardly revised gain of 3.29% a month ago.

March 15, 2011
Deloitte reports rise in spending index for February

The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index rose to more than 4% during the month of February, thanks to slight improvements in two sectors.

NEW YORK — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index rose to more than 4% during the month of February, thanks to slight improvements in two sectors.

The index attempts to track consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending and is comprised of four components: unemployment claims, tax burden, real wages and real home prices. It rose to 4.02% from 3.92% in January.

January 25, 2011
Consumer confidence receives boost

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

WASHINGTON — The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

The index climbed to 60.6 this month, up from 53.3 in December. While that reading surpassed expectations, it still fell short of the 90 level that indicates a healthy consumer mindset.

The January figure was the highest since last May's 62.7. The index has not risen above 90 since the recession began in December 2007.

January 12, 2010
Deloitte reports inflation of prices, drop in spending index

The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index dipped slightly in December primarily due to a decline in...