Applications for retail work in the U.S. fell 10 percent between February and March, and hiring in the industry fell 11.6 percent, according to Chelmsford-based Kronos Inc.
The firm’s numbers, which are seasonally adjusted, show applications down about 20 percent from last March, when they hit a near-record high.
The Kronos Retail Labor Index, based on the ratio of hires to applications, was down slightly month-over-month in March to 4.3 percent. That’s only the third time since 2008 that it’s hit 4 percent or higher.
