July job numbers offer glimmer of hope

Following the announcement that the U.S. added a better-than-expected 117,000 jobs in July, National Retail Federation president and CEO Matthew Shay issued the following statement on the positive jobs news:

“Americans are breathing a sigh of relief that unemployment numbers are taking a step in the right direction. As an industry that provides jobs to more than 40 million Americans, consumer confidence in our economy and our government could not be more crucial as retailers inch closer to the holiday season. Now that the first chapter of the debt ceiling debate is behind us, retailers need Congress and the Administration to advance a strong jobs agenda that includes corporate tax reform, visa reform and passing the pending free trade agreements.”

According to the report, retailers added 26,000 jobs in July, second only to the health care industry.

“While positive retail jobs growth in July is another indicator that retailers are pulling their weight in this economic recovery, a strong jobs agenda would allow retailers to increase hiring on an even larger scale.”