The presence of such industry powerhouses as Polaris, Arctic Cat and New Flyer make Northwest Minnesota a hub of transportation equipment manufacturing.
From wheat and potatoes to soybeans and sugar beets, the region is a major producer and processor of food staples and specialty agricultural products.
Want the freshest data delivered by email? Subscribe to our regional newsletters.
12/6/2021 9:00:00 AM
Cameron Macht
As Black Friday deals rolled out again, retail wasn't just offering a huge number of deals; retailers were also providing a huge number of jobs. In the second quarter of 2021, there were more than 2,350 Retail establishments providing just under 27,500 jobs in Northwest Minnesota. That was down about 800 jobs from pre-pandemic employment peaks, but up by almost 1,600 jobs compared to the second quarter of 2020.
This job recovery is also reflected in the surging number of job vacancies in the region. Retail Trade employers in Northwest Minnesota reported nearly 4,000 job vacancies in Q2 2021, easily the highest number on record, and up more than 900 compared to the previous peak (see Figure 1).
The increasing number of vacancies is due in part to the job rebound in retail trade employment, and also to the tight labor market. Many of these jobs have remained open as retailers have struggled to fill vacancies in a strong economy where job seekers have access to many other opportunities. Retail Trade has responded by improving the quality of the jobs available – for example, median wage offers have climbed 41% in the past 5 years – from $10.29 per hour in 2016 to $14.49 in 2021 (see Figure 2).
The rising wages may help attract new workers, but many jobseekers also value the flexibility that comes with retail employment. However, the percentage of jobs that are part-time was also changing –only about one-third of retail vacancies were part-time in 2021, compared to more than 50% from 2016 to 2019. Many retail jobs are also seasonal, allowing jobseekers to work during the busy times to earn extra money.
In addition to the cash, most retail jobs also teach valuable job skills including customer service, teamwork, and problem solving. These skills come in handy in almost every job and career path. With a multitude of vacancies, jobseekers might like to see what's in store for them in retail.
Contact Cameron Macht at 320-441-6596.
