The following report is from the Trends Journal:
In April, about 649,000 retail employees quit their jobs, the U.S. labor department reported, the largest one-month exodus since the department began keeping records more than 20 years ago.
Stores’ ex-workers are finding higher pay and better benefits at insurance agencies, fitness centers, government offices, and even marijuana dispensaries, Business Insider reported; others are returning to school or trying their hands as writers or artists.
The economic lockdown worsened already-dismal working conditions, including poor pay, understaffed stores, long hours, and rude customers, many of the former retail workers told BI.
We’re seeing a wider understanding that these were never good jobs and they were never livable jobs.
In many cases, the pay is below a living wage and the hours are inconsistent and insufficient. If anything, the pandemic has made retail jobs even less sustainable than they already were.
Rebecca Givan, a Rutgers University professor of labor studies, said in comments quoted by BI.
Now the economic revival has opened new doors for those workers, with companies offering higher pay and perks that include everything from free snacks and help with child care to subsidized college tuition.
In a tight labor market, we often see big shifts among workers with low earnings. If you’re making $12 an hour and there’s a job down the street offering $12.50, why not jump? There’s no reason not to — which is what’s happening now.
Zip Recruiter labor economist Julia Pollack said to BI.
In April, U.S. retailers had about one million jobs open, twice as many as at the start of 2020’s lockdown, BI reported.
To compete, retailers will not only need to offer higher pay but also correct structural problems in the retail industry by offering more consistent schedules and better benefits, many analysts have been suggesting.
TREND FORECAST: The retail industry is undergoing a long-term transformation. Everyday commodities such as clothing, electronics, and even groceries are being ordered online, erasing front-end retail jobs.
There will always be mega hardware stores, supermarkets, and other retail sites where people can drop in to pick up necessities.
However, sustainable retail stores increasingly will be those that specialize in meeting the needs of specific groups of shoppers and provide personal service surrounding those interests.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
As discussed in this report, the reasons for these workers leaving are many. Plus, stimmies from the government does not help the problem either. On top of that, you have to factor that many people from my generation, Gen Z and the Millennials, are now making boo-koo bags of cash by starting an OnlyFans account, per just one example.
Because of this, the ‘perfect’ opportunity for automation and robots to takeover is now being made possible. This is one of the reasons I suspect the minimum wage has not been raised because the elites want more people to leave these types of jobs, so the transition to AI systems will be better welcomed.
Walmart Utilizes “Deep Learning” AI To Influence Shopper’s Purchasing Habits
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AI Farming Robot Sells Out As It Replaces Farmers
[25] The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. [26] He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.Proverbs 21:25-26
I know in my area, the only businesses that I see that have ‘For Hire’ signs are these retail and grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, bars, and hotels.
This report also demonstrates that economy continues to weaken. The media keeps trying to hype up job creation. But these “created” jobs are just former workers returning to their old low-paying jobs. And now many of these people are leaving their jobs; but you will not hear mainstream media talking about this very often.
Additionally, I would personally advise not getting into the art world, as mentioned in the report. I am not discouraging art in general, or selling it, but do not depend on that for some sort of sustainable income, especially for the future.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Jacob, so far I work at the mall cleaning and sweeping the parking lots and dumpster areas as well as helping the landscaper. What are your thoughts on that?