Slow retail hiring crimps Houston employment figures
Area gained nearly 60,000 jobs through 2007 despite late slowdown
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
More conservative holiday hiring by retailers last month slowed overall job growth in the Houston area, according to data released today by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Retailers added only 700 jobs between December 2006 and December 2007. One year earlier, retailers put on 4,000 jobs.
Usually there is a surge in year-end retail hiring, said Joel Wagher, labor market analyst for The WorkSource, which manages employment services, education and training for the Houston area.
But retail isn't growing like it had been because people aren't buying as much, he said. They're having to devote more of their income to cover the higher prices for gasoline and food.
Overall, employers added 59,800 jobs during the past 12 months, a 2.4 percent gain, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
Houston's unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in December, up from 4 percent in November. Local jobless data is not seasonally adjusted.
The statewide unemployment rate rose to 4.5 percent in December, its highest level in 10 months and a sign of slowing in the regional economy.
Figures showed that the number of job hunters swamped a modest increase in hiring in Texas, pushing unemployment up from 4.2 percent in November.
Initial claims for unemployment benefits in Texas declined 4.3 percent, to 57,364 from 59,943 in November.
Labels: Houston, Texas, unemployment
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