There are plenty of options and growth potential for those seeking Baltimore retail jobs.
The retail sector is made up of establishments that engage in retailing merchandise and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. The sector is essentially the final step in the distribution of goods to consumers. Some retailers engage in after-sales services, such as repair and installation. New automobile dealers, electronic and appliance stores and musical instrument stores are just a few examples.
Industries within the retail sector are grouped into five categories, including: food and beverage stores; merchandise stores; motor vehicles and related; building material, garden equipment and supplies dealers; and clothing and accessories stores.
According to the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, there were more than 18,600 establishments in Maryland’s retail sector as of Q4 2005, with about eight out of every 10 business employing fewer than 20 workers.
At that time, sales and related accounted for the majority of retail employment, at 55.6 percent. That was followed by office and administrative support at 15.2 percent; all other at 7.9 percent; transportation and material moving at 6.9 percent; service at 6 percent; installation, maintenance and repair at 5.7 percent; and production at 2.7 percent.
As of 2005, retail employees in Baltimore earned an average $479 per week, while those in Baltimore County earned $508 per week and those throughout Maryland earned $506 per week. Retail workers in Montgomery earned the highest weekly salary, at $563 per week, while those in Western Maryland received the lowest weekly salary, at $406 per week.
Performance in the retail sector was relatively slow during the early part of the decade. A slowdown between 2001 and 2003, as well as the reorganization and closing of many retailers, slowed the pace of job growth in the sector.
Overall, growth in the sector was limited to less than 1 percent through 2003, accounting for a gain of only 429 jobs. However, the pace of job creation increased during the latter part of 2003 through 2005, when more than 7,500 jobs were added to the sector.
Tags: Baltimore retail jobs