As the year begins, the U.S. labor market continues to evolve, with measured job growth and modest wage gains that are shaping staffing strategies for retailers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ January 2026 jobs report, total nonfarm employment increased by an estimated 130,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate steady at 4.3%. Average hourly earnings also rose 0.4% in January and about 3.7% over the past 12 months, highlighting gradual wage growth even as hiring remains selective across industries. The report notes that sectors such as health care and social assistance led job gains, while others including retail trade saw little change compared with the prior month.
For mattress retailers who rely on showroom staffing and customer service teams, this can mean a few things. Moderate wage growth suggests that compensation pressures persist but aren’t growing rapidly, allowing retailers to plan staffing budgets with more predictability. At the same time, slower overall job growth means competition for quality staff may remain uneven, particularly in markets where alternative employers are expanding.
In this environment, retailers may benefit from focusing on stable scheduling practices, outlining clear career growth paths, and localized hiring initiatives to attract and retain front-line talent without overly compressing their operating margins.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
