Unit Labor Costs for Retail Trade: General Merchandise Stores, Including Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters (NAICS 4523) in the United States

IPUHN4523U100000000 • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Latest Value

113.10

Year-over-Year Change

24.88%

Date Range

1/1/1987 - 1/1/2024

Summary

The 'Unit Labor Costs for Retail Trade: General Merchandise Stores, Including Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters (NAICS 4523) in the United States' measures the cost of labor per unit of output in this retail sector. It is an important indicator of productivity and inflationary pressures.

Analysis & Context

This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.

Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.

About This Dataset

This series represents the ratio of labor compensation to real output in the general merchandise retail subsector. It helps assess trends in labor efficiency and input costs, which influence business profitability and consumer prices.

Methodology

The data is calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics using payroll and production metrics from the retail industry.

Historical Context

Analysts and policymakers monitor this metric to understand the state of the retail labor market and its potential impact on the broader economy.

Key Facts

  • Measures labor cost per unit of output in the general merchandise retail sector.
  • Reflects trends in labor efficiency and input cost pressures for retailers.
  • Provides insights into the state of the retail labor market and its broader economic implications.

FAQs

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: This metric measures the unit labor costs, or the cost of labor per unit of output, in the general merchandise retail subsector of the U.S. economy.

Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?

A: This trend is important for understanding labor productivity and inflationary pressures in the retail industry, which can have broader implications for consumer prices and the overall economy.

Q: How is this data collected or calculated?

A: The data is calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics using payroll and production metrics from the retail industry.

Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?

A: Analysts and policymakers monitor this metric to assess the state of the retail labor market and its potential impact on the broader economy, informing decisions related to monetary and fiscal policy.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

A: The data is published quarterly by the U.S. Federal Reserve and may be subject to revisions and delays typical of government statistical releases.

Related Trends

Citation

U.S. Federal Reserve, Unit Labor Costs for Retail Trade: General Merchandise Stores, Including Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters (NAICS 4523) in the United States (IPUHN4523U100000000), retrieved from FRED.