For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Thursday, July 28, 2022 USDL-22-1552

Technical Information: (202) 691-5606 • productivity@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/productivity

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PRODUCTIVITY AND COSTS BY INDUSTRY

WHOLESALE TRADE AND RETAIL TRADE INDUSTRIES – 2021

Labor productivity rose 5.7 percent in wholesale trade and 6.6 percent in retail trade in 2021, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Unit labor costs, which reflect the total labor costs required 

to produce a unit of output, rose in both wholesale trade and retail trade.

Annual productivity growth for retail trade slowed from its peak growth in 2020, with hours worked and 

output both increasing at the fastest rates since measurement began in 1987. For wholesale trade, output

growth was the second highest since 1987, and productivity and hours rose at the fastest rates since 2010

and 2011, respectively.

Chart 1. Largest changes in productivity in four-digit NAICS wholesale and retail trade industries, 2021

26.2

22.5

17.6

26.9

34.9

29.9

-3.5

-2.3 -1.9 -10.2

-4.8

-10.5

Clothing stores

Electronics and appliance 

stores

Office supplies, stationery, and 

gift stores

Jewelry, luggage, and leather 

goods stores

Shoe stores

Vending machine operators

Misc. nondurable goods 

merchant wholesalers

Specialty food 

stores

Lawn and garden equipment 

and supplies stores Paper and paper product 

merchant wholesalers

Petroleum merchant 

wholesalers

Farm product raw material 

merch. whls.

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25

Output Percent Change

Hours Worked Percent Change

Note: Bubble size represents industry 

employment. Value in the bubble 

indicates percent change in labor 

productivity.
Chart 1 shows the percent changes in output and hours worked for industries with the largest increases 

and decreases in productivity in 2021. Change in productivity is approximately equal to the change in 

output minus the change in hours worked. Industries above the diagonal line grew in productivity while 

industries below the diagonal line declined. 

Among the 6 four-digit NAICS industries with the highest productivity growth, all reported growth in 

output while two showed declines in hours worked. Productivity growth was greatest in shoe stores 

(+34.9 percent) where there was a significant growth in output and a small decline in hours worked. 

Of the 6 four-digit NAICS industries with the largest declines in productivity, hours worked increased in 

all six and output decreased in three. The two industries with the greatest decreases in productivity were

farm product raw material merchant wholesalers (−10.5 percent) and lawn and garden equipment and 

supplies stores (−10.2 percent). 

Labor Productivity Rose in Nearly Every Industry in 2021 

Productivity increased in 14 of the 15 three-digit NAICS industries studied in 2021. (See table 1.) Ten

industries had productivity gains of at least 6.8 percent; among these, the largest changes occurred in 

clothing and clothing accessories stores (+28.0 percent) and electronics and appliance stores (+22.5 

percent). The only industry with a productivity decline, building material and garden supply stores, 

dropped 1.7 percent. (See chart 2). 

Chart 2. Productivity change in three-digit NAICS wholesale and retail trade industries, 2021 

-1.7

0.9

1.1

2.5

4.4

6.8

6.8

7.6

9.0

9.6

10.8

11.7

14.3

22.5

28.0

-10 0 10 20 30 40 50

Building material and garden supply stores

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods

Food and beverage stores

Health and personal care stores

General merchandise stores

Electronic markets and agents and brokers

Gasoline stations

Motor vehicle and parts dealers

Nonstore retailers

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods

Miscellaneous store retailers

Furniture and home furnishings stores

Sports, hobby, music instrument, book stores

Electronics and appliance stores

Clothing and clothing accessories stores

Percent Change

3.9

4.4

-0.9

8.4

2.7

1.1

1.6

2.6

5.6

2.0

11.1

5.9

8.1

0.3

10.9

2.1

5.4

0.2

11.0

7.2

8.0

8.5

10.4

15.2

11.8

23.0

18.3

23.5

22.8

41.9

-10 0 10 20 30 40 50

Percent Change

2
In wholesale trade, productivity rose 5.7 percent as output growth (+8.7 percent) surpassed growth in 

hours worked (+2.8 percent).

• Productivity increased in 14 of the 19 four-digit NAICS wholesale trade industries while output

rose in 16 industries and hours worked grew in all 19.

• Productivity rose 9.6 percent in durable goods wholesalers and 0.9 percent in nondurable goods

wholesalers.

• The highest increase in productivity occurred in miscellaneous durable goods merchant

wholesalers (+17.3 percent) as output rose at a much faster rate (+21.2 percent) than hours

worked (+3.4 percent).

In retail trade, productivity increased by 6.6 percent as output growth (+10.4 percent) exceeded growth 

in hours worked (+3.6 percent). 

• Productivity increased in 23 of the 27 four-digit NAICS retail trade industries while output grew

in 26 industries and hours worked rose in 22.

• Shoe stores saw the largest productivity increase (+34.9 percent) as output increased 32.2 percent

while hours fell 2.0 percent.

• Seven of the top ten employers in retail experienced productivity increases in which output

growth outpaced growth in hours.

• In the largest retail employer, grocery stores, hours worked fell faster (−1.4 percent) than output

(−0.3 percent) leading to a productivity increase of 1.2 percent.

Unit Labor Costs Decline in Half of Four-digit NAICS Industries in 2021 

When productivity gains outpace hourly compensation, unit labor costs decline. 

• Unit labor costs fell in 8 of 15 three-digit NAICS wholesale and retail trade industries in 2021.

Productivity rose in all the industries where unit labor costs declined. (See chart 3).

• The largest decrease in unit labor costs occurred in clothing and clothing accessories stores

(−16.3 percent) in which hourly compensation growth (+7.1 percent) trailed productivity growth

(+28.0 percent).

• Unit labor costs declined in 10 of 19 four-digit NAICS wholesale trade industries. In retail trade,

13 of 27 four-digit NAICS industries had declines in unit labor costs.

• Hourly compensation rose in 39 of the 46 four-digit NAICS industries.

3
Chart 3. Unit labor costs, productivity, and hourly compensation in three-digit NAICS wholesale and retail 

trade industries, 2021 

2019 to 2021 Trends

Although 42 of the 46 four-digit trade industries increased output in 2021, not all of these industries saw 

their output return to pre-pandemic levels. (See table 3.) Six of these 42 industries had levels of output 

that were lower in 2021 than in 2019. The two industries with the steepest average annual declines in 

output from 2019 to 2021 were vending machine operators (−7.7 percent) and book stores and news 

dealers (−6.2 percent).

The recovery in hours worked was not as widespread. Of the 41 four-digit trade industries where hours 

worked increased in 2021, 28 remained below their 2019 levels. The two industries with the largest 

average annual decreases in hours worked from 2019 to 2021 were office supplies, stationery, and gift 

stores (−10.6 percent) and clothing stores (−6.6 percent).

Long-term Labor Productivity Increases in All but One Industry

From 1987 to 2021, labor productivity increased at an average annual rate of 2.8 percent in wholesale 

trade and 3.1 percent in retail trade. (See table 2.)

• Among the 46 four-digit NAICS industries, productivity rose in all but one industry, metal and

mineral merchant wholesalers, from 1987 to 2021.

• Of the 45 four-digit NAICS industries with increasing productivity growth, 39 experienced rising

output while 21 had an increase in hours worked.

• Median productivity among four-digit NAICS industries grew at an average annual rate of 2.0

percent.

12.1

5.7

2.7

2.6

2.5

1.8

0.0

-0.3

-1.8

-3.1

-3.2

-3.9

-6.5

-9.5

-16.3

-20 -10 0 10 20 30

Motor vehicle and parts dealers

Building material and garden supply stores

Food and beverage stores

General merchandise stores

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods

Nonstore retailers

Electronic markets and agents and brokers

Gasoline stations

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods

Health and personal care stores

Furniture and home furnishings stores

Miscellaneous store retailers

Sports, hobby, music instrument, book stores

Electronics and appliance stores

Clothing and clothing accessories stores

Percent Change

Unit Labor Costs

-20 -10 0 10 20 30

Percent Change

Productivity Hourly Compensation

4
• The 2007 to 2021 productivity growth in durable wholesale, nondurable wholesale, and retail 

trade industries was slower than during the 1987-2000 and 2000-2007 periods. (See chart 4). 

• Productivity grew in 43 of the 46 four-digit NAICS industries during the 1987-2000 period. The 

number of industries fell to 42 from 2000-2007 and then to 40 from 2007-2021. 

Long-term Trends in Unit Labor Costs Vary by Sector

From 1987 to 2021, unit labor costs increased at an average annual rate of 1.1 percent in wholesale 

trade and 0.1 percent in retail trade. (See table 2.)

• Among the 46 four-digit NAICS industries, unit labor costs rose in 17 of 19 wholesale trade and 

14 of 27 retail trade industries from 1987 to 2021. 

• Unit labor costs rose in 27 industries in 1987-2000, 25 in 2000-2007, and 31 industries in 2007-

2021. 

• In all three periods, unit labor costs for wholesale nondurable goods remained positive. Unit 

labor costs were negative for wholesale durable goods in the periods prior to 2007. In retail trade, 

unit labor costs hovered above zero in the 1987-2000 and 2007-2021 periods yet fell during 

2000-2007.

Chart 4. Long-term changes in productivity and unit labor costs for wholesale trade durable and 

nondurable goods industry groups and retail trade industry 

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 2017

Index 

(1987=100)

Wholesale Durable Goods Retail Trade

Wholesale Nondurable Goods

4.1

5.7 5.6

1.8

1.2 1.2

2.1

0.9

3.1 3.0

3.8

2.9

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1987-2021 1987-2000 2000-2007 2007-2021

Average Annual 

Percent Change

Wholesale Durable Goods Wholesale Nondurable Goods Retail Trade

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 2017

Index 

(1987=100)

Wholesale Durable Goods

Retail Trade

Wholesale Nondurable Goods

-0.1 -0.8

-1.7

1.2

2.7

3.4

2.4 2.2

0.1 0.3

-0.7

0.2

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1987-2021 1987-2000 2000-2007 2007-2021

Average Annual 

Percent Change

Wholesale Durable Goods Wholesale Nondurable Goods Retail Trade

Labor Productivity

Unit Labor Costs

5
Additional Information

The trade measures in this release incorporate 2017 Economic Census data and benchmark data from the 

Census Bureau’s Annual Wholesale Trade Report (December 2021), Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey 

(May 2022), Annual Retail Trade Survey (January 2022), and Annual Revision of the Monthly Retail 

and Food Services: Sales and Inventories (April 2022). Accordingly, the labor productivity and output 

series for all industries have been revised for 2020 and earlier years. Additionally, the unit labor cost 

measures incorporate preliminary data from the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (June 

2022). 

More information about the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) can be found at 

www.census.gov/naics/. 

Access the productivity data dashboard at www.bls.gov/productivity/tables/labor-productivity-detailedindustries.xlsx for 

• Additional industries and sectors

• Detailed data series: indexes of productivity and related measures; rates of change; and levels of 

industry employment, hours worked, nominal value of production, and labor compensation 

• Additional years and long-term data

Subscribe to productivity news releases on the BLS website at 

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOLBLS/subscriber/new. 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access 

telecommunications relay services. 

6
Technical Note

Labor Productivity: Labor productivity describes the relationship between real output and the labor 

hours involved in its production. These measures show the changes from period to period in the amount 

of goods and services produced per hour worked. Although the labor productivity measures relate output 

in an industry to hours worked of all persons in that industry, they do not measure the specific 

contribution of labor to growth in output. Rather, they reflect the joint effects of many influences, 

including: changes in technology; capital investment; utilization of capacity, energy, and materials; the 

use of purchased services inputs, including contract employment services; the organization of 

production; the characteristics and effort of the workforce; and managerial skill. 

Unit Labor Costs: Unit labor costs represent the cost of labor required to produce one unit of output. 

The unit labor cost indexes are computed by dividing an index of nominal industry labor compensation 

by an index of real industry output. Unit labor costs also describe the relationship between compensation 

per hour worked (hourly compensation) and real output per hour worked (labor productivity). When 

hourly compensation growth outpaces productivity, unit labor costs increase. Alternatively, when 

productivity growth exceeds hourly compensation, unit labor costs decrease. 

Output: Industry output is measured as an annual-weighted index of the changes in the various products 

(in real terms) provided for sale outside the industry. Real industry output for data in this release is 

derived by deflating nominal sales or values of production using price indexes. Industry output measures 

are constructed primarily using data from the economic censuses and annual surveys of the U.S. Census 

Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce, together with information on price changes from BLS. 

Labor Hours: Labor hours are measured as annual hours worked by all employed persons in an 

industry. Data on industry employment and hours come primarily from the BLS Current Employment 

Statistics (CES) survey and Current Population Survey (CPS). CES data on the number of total and 

production worker jobs held by wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments are supplemented 

with CPS data on self-employed and unpaid family workers to estimate industry employment. Hours 

worked estimates are derived using CES and CPS employment, CES data on the average weekly hours 

paid of production workers, CPS data on hours of nonproduction, self-employed, and unpaid family 

workers, and ratios of hours worked to hours paid based on data from the National Compensation 

Survey (NCS). For some industries, employment and hours data are supplemented or further 

disaggregated using data from the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), the 

Census Bureau, or other sources. Hours worked are estimated separately for different types of workers 

and then are directly aggregated; no adjustments for labor composition are made.

Labor Compensation: Labor compensation, defined as payroll plus supplemental payments, is a 

measure of the cost to the employer of securing the services of labor. Payroll includes salaries, wages, 

commissions, dismissal pay, bonuses, vacation and sick leave pay, and compensation in kind. 

Supplemental payments include both legally required expenditures and payments for voluntary 

programs. The legally required portion consists primarily of federal old age and survivors’ insurance, 

unemployment compensation, and workers’ compensation. Payments for voluntary programs include all 

programs not specifically required by legislation, such as the employer portion of private health 

insurance and pension plans. Industry compensation measures are constructed primarily using data from 

the BLS QCEW and the economic censuses of the Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce.

7
Table 1. Recent labor productivity, unit labor costs, and related data

Labor 

productivity

Unit 

labor 

costs

Output Hours 

worked

Labor 

compensation

Hourly 

compensation

Wholesale trade................................................................ 42 5,832.5 5.7 0.3 8.7 2.8 9.0 6.1

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods........................... 423 3,190.0 9.6 -1.8 11.8 2.0 9.8 7.6

Motor vehicles and parts............................................. 4231 347.1 9.0 -0.7 10.1 1.0 9.3 8.3

Furniture and furnishings............................................. 4232 115.2 2.2 -1.0 11.1 8.6 9.9 1.2

Lumber and construction supplies.............................. 4233 249.2 4.3 8.2 5.5 1.2 14.2 12.8

Commercial equipment............................................... 4234 695.7 9.5 -3.2 11.6 1.9 8.0 5.9

Metals and minerals.................................................... 4235 126.8 6.7 4.4 7.7 1.0 12.5 11.4

Appliances and electric goods.................................... 4236 352.6 14.1 -4.9 17.5 3.0 11.8 8.6

Hardware and plumbing.............................................. 4237 293.5 2.7 6.8 4.7 1.9 11.8 9.6

Machinery and supplies............................................... 4238 700.7 9.7 -4.0 11.0 1.2 6.5 5.3

Miscellaneous durable goods...................................... 4239 309.2 17.3 -3.8 21.2 3.4 16.6 12.8

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods..................... 424 2,155.3 0.9 2.5 5.4 4.4 8.0 3.4

Paper and paper products........................................... 4241 117.5 -1.9 -1.9 5.3 7.3 3.3 -3.7

Druggists' goods......................................................... 4242 246.5 -1.0 1.0 7.5 8.6 8.6 0.0

Apparel and piece goods............................................ 4243 144.1 7.9 -3.4 25.5 16.3 21.2 4.2

Grocery and related products...................................... 4244 783.9 5.0 -1.3 8.5 3.3 7.0 3.6

Farm product raw materials......................................... 4245 71.2 -10.5 11.4 -8.3 2.5 2.3 -0.3

Chemicals.................................................................... 4246 150.0 4.1 3.7 5.3 1.1 9.2 8.0

Petroleum.................................................................... 4247 101.2 -4.8 0.4 -0.1 5.0 0.3 -4.4

Alcoholic beverages.................................................... 4248 199.7 9.1 -4.3 9.4 0.2 4.6 4.4

Miscellaneous nondurable goods................................ 4249 341.2 -3.5 12.5 -0.5 3.1 11.9 8.6

Electronic markets and agents and brokers................... 425 487.2 6.8 0.0 8.0 1.1 8.0 6.8

Electronic markets and agents and brokers................ 4251 487.2 6.8 0.0 8.0 1.1 8.0 6.8

Retail trade........................................................................ 44-45 16,208.4 6.6 2.2 10.4 3.6 12.8 8.9

Motor vehicle and parts dealers..................................... 441 1,998.8 7.6 12.1 10.4 2.6 23.7 20.6

Automobile dealers...................................................... 4411 1,255.9 5.7 15.8 9.9 3.9 27.3 22.4

Other motor vehicle dealers........................................ 4412 174.3 13.3 2.4 16.6 2.9 19.4 16.0

Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores...................... 4413 568.6 10.7 2.0 10.2 -0.4 12.4 12.9

Furniture and home furnishings stores........................... 442 469.3 11.7 -3.2 18.3 5.9 14.6 8.2

Furniture stores........................................................... 4421 224.6 8.9 1.3 16.2 6.7 17.7 10.3

Home furnishings stores.............................................. 4422 244.7 15.2 -8.3 21.0 5.1 11.0 5.6

Electronics and appliance stores................................... 443 447.2 22.5 -9.5 22.8 0.3 11.2 10.8

Electronics and appliance stores................................. 4431 447.2 22.5 -9.5 22.8 0.3 11.2 10.8

Building material and garden supply stores................... 444 1,453.3 -1.7 5.7 2.1 3.9 7.9 3.9

Building material and supplies dealers........................ 4441 1,251.6 -0.5 5.1 1.6 2.0 6.8 4.7

Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores....... 4442 201.7 -10.2 10.3 5.6 17.7 16.5 -1.0

Food and beverage stores............................................. 445 3,214.0 1.1 2.7 0.2 -0.9 2.9 3.9

Grocery stores............................................................. 4451 2,794.1 1.2 2.2 -0.3 -1.4 1.9 3.4

Specialty food stores................................................... 4452 240.7 -2.3 7.1 6.7 9.3 14.4 4.6

Beer, wine and liquor stores........................................ 4453 179.2 8.3 2.4 3.1 -4.8 5.6 10.9

Health and personal care stores.................................... 446 1,070.3 2.5 -3.1 11.0 8.4 7.6 -0.8

Health and personal care stores.................................. 4461 1,070.3 2.5 -3.1 11.0 8.4 7.6 -0.8

Gasoline stations............................................................ 447 949.0 6.8 -0.3 8.5 1.6 8.2 6.5

Gasoline stations......................................................... 4471 949.0 6.8 -0.3 8.5 1.6 8.2 6.5

Clothing and clothing accessories stores...................... 448 1,135.9 28.0 -16.3 41.9 10.9 18.8 7.1

Clothing stores............................................................ 4481 805.2 26.2 -20.7 41.1 11.7 11.9 0.2

Shoe stores................................................................. 4482 164.8 34.9 -12.9 32.2 -2.0 15.1 17.5

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores................ 4483 165.9 26.9 -5.8 53.5 21.0 44.6 19.5

Sports, hobby, music instruments, book stores............ 451 574.3 14.3 -6.5 23.5 8.1 15.5 6.9

Sporting goods and musical instrument stores........... 4511 505.9 16.3 -6.0 23.2 6.0 15.8 9.3

Book stores and news dealers.................................... 4512 68.4 -1.5 -11.3 27.6 29.6 13.2 -12.7

Industry

2017 

NAICS 

code

2021 

Employment 

(thousands)

Percent change, 2020-2021

8
Table 1. Recent labor productivity, unit labor costs, and related data – Continued

Labor 

productivity

Unit 

labor 

costs

Output Hours 

worked

Labor 

compensation

Hourly 

compensation

General merchandise stores.......................................... 452 3,099.8 4.4 2.6 7.2 2.7 10.0 7.1

Department stores....................................................... 4522 937.0 14.3 -1.3 16.1 1.6 14.6 12.7

Other general merchandise stores............................... 4523 2,162.8 2.4 2.6 5.6 3.1 8.3 5.1

Miscellaneous store retailers.......................................... 453 959.5 10.8 -3.9 23.0 11.1 18.2 6.4

Florists......................................................................... 4531 79.0 1.7 22.7 22.4 20.4 50.3 24.8

Office supplies, stationery and gift stores................... 4532 207.8 17.6 -10.0 21.3 3.1 9.2 5.9

Used merchandise stores............................................ 4533 231.8 1.7 0.5 25.3 23.3 25.9 2.2

Other miscellaneous store retailers............................. 4539 440.9 14.3 -5.8 23.1 7.7 15.9 7.6

Nonstore retailers........................................................... 454 837.0 9.0 1.8 15.2 5.6 17.3 11.0

Electronic shopping and mail-order houses................ 4541 588.7 6.9 2.2 15.8 8.3 18.3 9.3

Vending machine operators......................................... 4542 33.4 29.9 -10.5 15.5 -11.1 3.4 16.3

Direct selling establishments....................................... 4543 214.9 7.8 4.7 8.9 1.0 14.0 12.9

Industry

2017 

NAICS 

code

2021 

Employment 

(thousands)

Percent change, 2020-2021

9
Table 2. Long run labor productivity, unit labor costs, and related data

Labor 

productivity

Unit 

labor 

costs

Output Hours 

worked

Labor 

compensation

Hourly 

compensation

Wholesale trade................................................................ 42 5,832.5 2.8 1.1 2.9 0.2 4.1 3.9

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods........................... 423 3,190.0 4.1 -0.1 4.2 0.1 4.1 4.0

Motor vehicles and parts............................................. 4231 347.1 3.2 0.7 2.9 -0.3 3.6 3.9

Furniture and furnishings............................................. 4232 115.2 1.9 2.0 1.8 0.0 3.8 3.8

Lumber and construction supplies.............................. 4233 249.2 0.7 2.2 1.4 0.7 3.6 2.9

Commercial equipment............................................... 4234 695.7 10.8 -6.0 11.1 0.2 4.4 4.2

Metals and minerals.................................................... 4235 126.8 -0.2 3.9 -0.2 -0.1 3.6 3.7

Appliances and electric goods.................................... 4236 352.6 6.8 -2.4 6.5 -0.3 4.0 4.3

Hardware and plumbing.............................................. 4237 293.5 1.6 2.1 2.5 0.9 4.6 3.7

Machinery and supplies............................................... 4238 700.7 1.8 2.1 1.8 0.0 3.9 3.9

Miscellaneous durable goods...................................... 4239 309.2 1.8 2.2 2.2 0.3 4.4 4.0

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods..................... 424 2,155.3 1.2 2.7 1.3 0.1 4.1 4.0

Paper and paper products........................................... 4241 117.5 1.4 2.0 0.5 -0.9 2.5 3.4

Druggists' goods......................................................... 4242 246.5 1.8 4.0 3.0 1.2 7.2 5.9

Apparel and piece goods............................................ 4243 144.1 1.8 1.7 1.2 -0.6 3.0 3.6

Grocery and related products...................................... 4244 783.9 1.3 2.2 1.8 0.5 4.0 3.5

Farm product raw materials......................................... 4245 71.2 0.8 3.7 -0.6 -1.5 3.0 4.6

Chemicals.................................................................... 4246 150.0 0.5 3.2 0.8 0.3 4.0 3.7

Petroleum.................................................................... 4247 101.2 2.2 2.2 0.9 -1.3 3.1 4.4

Alcoholic beverages.................................................... 4248 199.7 1.0 2.3 2.5 1.5 4.8 3.3

Miscellaneous nondurable goods................................ 4249 341.2 0.4 3.2 -0.1 -0.5 3.1 3.6

Electronic markets and agents and brokers................... 425 487.2 2.0 0.4 3.3 1.3 3.8 2.5

Electronic markets and agents and brokers................ 4251 487.2 2.0 0.4 3.3 1.3 3.8 2.5

Retail trade........................................................................ 44-45 16,208.4 3.1 0.1 3.5 0.4 3.6 3.2

Motor vehicle and parts dealers..................................... 441 1,998.8 2.4 1.1 3.0 0.6 4.1 3.5

Automobile dealers...................................................... 4411 1,255.9 2.5 1.1 3.0 0.5 4.2 3.6

Other motor vehicle dealers........................................ 4412 174.3 3.0 1.1 4.1 1.2 5.3 4.1

Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores...................... 4413 568.6 1.4 1.3 2.0 0.5 3.3 2.8

Furniture and home furnishings stores........................... 442 469.3 4.0 -0.8 3.8 -0.2 2.9 3.1

Furniture stores........................................................... 4421 224.6 3.6 -0.5 3.3 -0.2 2.8 3.0

Home furnishings stores.............................................. 4422 244.7 4.5 -1.2 4.3 -0.2 3.1 3.3

Electronics and appliance stores................................... 443 447.2 10.4 -6.5 10.2 -0.2 3.0 3.3

Electronics and appliance stores................................. 4431 447.2 10.4 -6.5 10.2 -0.2 3.0 3.3

Building material and garden supply stores................... 444 1,453.3 2.1 0.4 3.3 1.1 3.6 2.5

Building material and supplies dealers........................ 4441 1,251.6 2.0 0.4 3.3 1.3 3.7 2.5

Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores....... 4442 201.7 2.9 -0.2 3.3 0.4 3.0 2.6

Food and beverage stores............................................. 445 3,214.0 0.9 2.2 0.8 0.0 3.0 3.1

Grocery stores............................................................. 4451 2,794.1 0.7 2.4 0.8 0.1 3.2 3.1

Specialty food stores................................................... 4452 240.7 0.7 1.8 0.0 -0.7 1.8 2.6

Beer, wine and liquor stores........................................ 4453 179.2 2.5 0.7 1.8 -0.6 2.5 3.1

Health and personal care stores.................................... 446 1,070.3 2.0 1.3 2.8 0.8 4.2 3.3

Health and personal care stores.................................. 4461 1,070.3 2.0 1.3 2.8 0.8 4.2 3.3

Gasoline stations............................................................ 447 949.0 1.3 1.8 1.1 -0.2 3.0 3.2

Gasoline stations......................................................... 4471 949.0 1.3 1.8 1.1 -0.2 3.0 3.2

Clothing and clothing accessories stores...................... 448 1,135.9 4.6 -1.4 3.7 -0.8 2.3 3.1

Clothing stores............................................................ 4481 805.2 4.7 -1.7 4.0 -0.7 2.2 2.9

Shoe stores................................................................. 4482 164.8 3.7 -0.7 2.5 -1.2 1.8 3.0

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores................ 4483 165.9 4.5 -0.6 3.6 -0.9 2.9 3.8

Sports, hobby, music instruments, book stores............ 451 574.3 4.2 -1.0 4.2 0.0 3.1 3.1

Sporting goods and musical instrument stores........... 4511 505.9 4.9 -1.6 5.2 0.3 3.5 3.2

Book stores and news dealers.................................... 4512 68.4 1.0 1.5 -0.7 -1.6 0.9 2.5

Industry

2017 

NAICS 

code

2021 

Employment 

(thousands)

Average annual percent change, 1987-2021

10
Table 2. Long run labor productivity, unit labor costs, and related data – Continued

Labor 

productivity

Unit 

labor 

costs

Output Hours 

worked

Labor 

compensation

Hourly 

compensation

General merchandise stores.......................................... 452 3,099.8 3.0 -0.5 4.2 1.1 3.6 2.5

Department stores....................................................... 4522 937.0 1.0 1.0 0.3 -0.8 1.2 2.0

Other general merchandise stores............................... 4523 2,162.8 4.7 -1.4 7.1 2.3 5.6 3.2

Miscellaneous store retailers.......................................... 453 959.5 3.5 -0.7 3.3 -0.2 2.6 2.7

Florists......................................................................... 4531 79.0 2.7 1.0 -0.1 -2.6 1.0 3.7

Office supplies, stationery and gift stores................... 4532 207.8 5.7 -2.4 3.3 -2.3 0.9 3.2

Used merchandise stores............................................ 4533 231.8 4.4 -1.7 5.8 1.3 4.0 2.6

Other miscellaneous store retailers............................. 4539 440.9 1.4 0.5 2.9 1.5 3.5 2.0

Nonstore retailers........................................................... 454 837.0 8.6 -3.9 9.7 1.0 5.5 4.5

Electronic shopping and mail-order houses................ 4541 588.7 9.9 -4.6 14.6 4.2 9.3 4.9

Vending machine operators......................................... 4542 33.4 1.7 2.1 -1.8 -3.5 0.3 3.9

Direct selling establishments....................................... 4543 214.9 3.2 -0.2 1.6 -1.6 1.4 3.0

Industry

2017 

NAICS 

code

2021 

Employment 

(thousands)

Average annual percent change, 1987-2021

11
Table 3. Labor productivity, unit labor costs, and related data, 2019-2021

Labor 

productivity

Unit 

labor 

costs

Output Hours 

worked

Labor 

compensation

Hourly 

compensation

Wholesale trade................................................................ 42 5,832.5 4.6 1.8 2.8 -1.7 4.6 6.5

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods........................... 423 3,190.0 5.0 1.5 3.4 -1.5 4.9 6.5

Motor vehicles and parts............................................. 4231 347.1 3.8 4.4 -0.4 -4.0 4.0 8.3

Furniture and furnishings............................................. 4232 115.2 5.2 -1.7 3.4 -1.6 1.7 3.4

Lumber and construction supplies.............................. 4233 249.2 1.2 5.1 1.0 -0.2 6.2 6.4

Commercial equipment............................................... 4234 695.7 5.0 0.7 5.7 0.7 6.4 5.8

Metals and minerals.................................................... 4235 126.8 1.7 6.6 -4.1 -5.7 2.2 8.4

Appliances and electric goods.................................... 4236 352.6 10.7 -4.3 8.7 -1.8 4.0 5.9

Hardware and plumbing.............................................. 4237 293.5 2.7 4.7 2.2 -0.5 7.0 7.5

Machinery and supplies............................................... 4238 700.7 3.7 0.9 1.5 -2.1 2.4 4.6

Miscellaneous durable goods...................................... 4239 309.2 14.5 -3.8 12.6 -1.7 8.4 10.2

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods..................... 424 2,155.3 4.2 2.5 1.8 -2.3 4.4 6.8

Paper and paper products........................................... 4241 117.5 6.7 -1.8 0.9 -5.4 -0.9 4.8

Druggists' goods......................................................... 4242 246.5 4.3 2.3 5.6 1.3 8.0 6.6

Apparel and piece goods............................................ 4243 144.1 3.1 3.4 -0.4 -3.4 3.0 6.6

Grocery and related products...................................... 4244 783.9 6.3 0.8 3.4 -2.8 4.2 7.2

Farm product raw materials......................................... 4245 71.2 -4.6 6.9 -3.6 1.0 3.0 1.9

Chemicals.................................................................... 4246 150.0 4.7 2.8 0.7 -3.8 3.5 7.6

Petroleum.................................................................... 4247 101.2 -1.5 1.7 -2.9 -1.5 -1.3 0.2

Alcoholic beverages.................................................... 4248 199.7 11.8 -4.1 7.6 -3.7 3.2 7.2

Miscellaneous nondurable goods................................ 4249 341.2 1.2 7.0 0.0 -1.2 7.0 8.3

Electronic markets and agents and brokers................... 425 487.2 5.6 -0.9 4.5 -1.0 3.6 4.7

Electronic markets and agents and brokers................ 4251 487.2 5.6 -0.9 4.5 -1.0 3.6 4.7

Retail trade........................................................................ 44-45 16,208.4 7.0 0.9 7.0 0.0 7.9 7.9

Motor vehicle and parts dealers..................................... 441 1,998.8 6.1 8.3 3.0 -2.9 11.5 14.9

Automobile dealers...................................................... 4411 1,255.9 5.8 10.4 2.0 -3.6 12.5 16.7

Other motor vehicle dealers........................................ 4412 174.3 17.1 -0.3 15.0 -1.8 14.6 16.7

Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores...................... 4413 568.6 6.5 1.5 4.6 -1.8 6.1 8.1

Furniture and home furnishings stores........................... 442 469.3 6.1 2.3 5.2 -0.8 7.7 8.6

Furniture stores........................................................... 4421 224.6 7.6 2.7 5.8 -1.6 8.6 10.4

Home furnishings stores.............................................. 4422 244.7 4.5 1.9 4.5 0.0 6.5 6.5

Electronics and appliance stores................................... 443 447.2 9.0 2.3 2.7 -5.7 5.1 11.5

Electronics and appliance stores................................. 4431 447.2 9.0 2.3 2.7 -5.7 5.1 11.5

Building material and garden supply stores................... 444 1,453.3 -2.1 4.5 6.0 8.4 10.8 2.3

Building material and supplies dealers........................ 4441 1,251.6 -2.3 4.7 5.5 8.0 10.5 2.3

Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores....... 4442 201.7 -0.8 3.1 10.1 11.0 13.4 2.2

Food and beverage stores............................................. 445 3,214.0 3.9 3.0 3.4 -0.4 6.6 7.0

Grocery stores............................................................. 4451 2,794.1 3.3 3.4 3.0 -0.3 6.6 6.9

Specialty food stores................................................... 4452 240.7 2.6 4.4 2.5 -0.1 7.0 7.1

Beer, wine and liquor stores........................................ 4453 179.2 12.3 -2.3 8.8 -3.1 6.4 9.8

Health and personal care stores.................................... 446 1,070.3 7.6 -2.6 6.2 -1.4 3.4 4.9

Health and personal care stores.................................. 4461 1,070.3 7.6 -2.6 6.2 -1.4 3.4 4.9

Gasoline stations............................................................ 447 949.0 0.5 6.0 0.9 0.4 7.0 6.6

Gasoline stations......................................................... 4471 949.0 0.5 6.0 0.9 0.4 7.0 6.6

Clothing and clothing accessories stores...................... 448 1,135.9 14.0 -6.4 5.6 -7.4 -1.1 6.8

Clothing stores............................................................ 4481 805.2 10.2 -7.4 2.9 -6.6 -4.8 2.0

Shoe stores................................................................. 4482 164.8 19.9 -2.6 3.0 -14.1 0.3 16.8

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores................ 4483 165.9 25.9 -9.5 21.3 -3.7 9.8 14.0

Sports, hobby, music instruments, book stores............ 451 574.3 14.9 -7.7 14.9 0.0 6.0 6.0

Sporting goods and musical instrument stores........... 4511 505.9 17.1 -8.3 17.5 0.3 7.8 7.5

Book stores and news dealers.................................... 4512 68.4 -3.9 -0.5 -6.2 -2.4 -6.6 -4.3

Industry

2017 

NAICS 

code

2021 

Employment 

(thousands)

Average annual percent change, 2019-2021

12
Table 3. Labor productivity, unit labor costs, and related data, 2019-2021 – Continued

Labor 

productivity

Unit 

labor 

costs

Output Hours 

worked

Labor 

compensation

Hourly 

compensation

General merchandise stores.......................................... 452 3,099.8 2.7 2.2 4.7 2.0 7.0 5.0

Department stores....................................................... 4522 937.0 5.9 0.2 0.3 -5.3 0.5 6.1

Other general merchandise stores............................... 4523 2,162.8 0.5 4.0 5.7 5.2 10.0 4.5

Miscellaneous store retailers.......................................... 453 959.5 9.5 -2.0 8.6 -0.8 6.4 7.2

Florists......................................................................... 4531 79.0 1.1 13.2 5.0 3.8 18.8 14.4

Office supplies, stationery and gift stores................... 4532 207.8 11.5 -4.5 -0.3 -10.6 -4.8 6.5

Used merchandise stores............................................ 4533 231.8 5.6 -0.4 8.1 2.4 7.7 5.1

Other miscellaneous store retailers............................. 4539 440.9 10.4 -2.2 12.1 1.6 9.7 8.0

Nonstore retailers........................................................... 454 837.0 18.1 -8.1 23.1 4.2 13.1 8.5

Electronic shopping and mail-order houses................ 4541 588.7 14.0 -7.4 25.6 10.2 16.3 5.6

Vending machine operators......................................... 4542 33.4 19.0 -7.9 -7.7 -22.4 -14.9 9.6

Direct selling establishments....................................... 4543 214.9 10.7 -1.1 5.5 -4.7 4.3 9.5

Industry

2017 

NAICS 

code

2021 

Employment 

(thousands)

Average annual percent change, 2019-2021

13