The outlook for the 2008 holiday shopping season is bleak. Despite more shoppers in the stores, looking for steep discounts, profits are down. And corporate owners aren't the only ones getting hurt. The retail sector has long been an important part of the local economy - and is more critical than ever given the ongoing retrenchment of the financial sector. But jobs in retail too often fail to support the American dream, as shown by demographic information about retail workers in the city's five boroughs.

Full report (PDF) - December 22, 2008.

SUPPLEMENTAL - Information by borough:

• Employment
• Wages, general merchandise stores
• Wages, health and personal care stores
• Wages, clothing and clothing accessory stores.

RELATED - Testimony before the Bronx Community Board 7's public hearing on the Kingsbridge Armory Project, June 24, 2009: Retail Wages in New York City.