Retail Trade Paces U.S. Virgin Islands’ Economy.

The retail trade sector of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ economy recorded the most sales and receipts for goods and services ($1.2 billion), employed the most people (6,400) and had the largest annual payroll ($123 million) of all sectors covered in the 2002 Economic Census.

The report 2002 Economic Census of Island Areas: Virgin Islands, said clothing and clothing accessory stores led the retail sector with sales of $387 million, 1,700 employees and an annual payroll of $42 million.

Other highlights:

Overall, 2,483 business establishments in the Virgin Islands were covered in the census. These businesses had sales of $3.9 billion, employed 27,000 people and had an annual payroll of $636 million.

After retail trade, the next largest sectors in employment were accommodation and food services (5,200) and construction (2,900).

After retail trade, the next largest sector in sales, with $348 million, was professional, scientific and technical services.
The report contains the first economic census information for the Virgin Islands based on the North American Industry Classification System. Previous censuses were based on Standard Industrial Classification System codes, so 2002 information for most industries is not directly comparable to data from previous economic censuses.

To view Island Area reports CLICK below:

http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/guide/islandareas.htm