Oregon Wholesale Trade Suffers Biggest Job Losses as Unemployment Ticks Up to 5%

The Oregon wholesale trade suffered the most job losses in August, shedding 1,100 positions.

This was likely caused by factors such as softer consumer demand and increased cost pressures from tariffs.

The Wholesale Sector Has Been on the Decline for a Year

Overall, the wholesale trade has declined rapidly over the past 12 months, shedding 4,300 jobs, or -5.5%.

All three wholesale component industries shrank substantially in that time: merchant wholesalers, non-durable goods (-1,500 jobs, or -4.9%); merchant wholesalers, durable goods (-1,000 jobs, or -2.5%); and wholesale trade agents and brokers (-900 jobs, or -13.0%).

Unemployment in Oregon Creeps Up to 5%

Painting another bleak scenario, Oregon’s unemployment rate once again rose from 4.9% to 5% in August. Unemployment has been st