Labor productivity -defined as output per hour -increased in wholesale in 2007 by 2.1% from 2006 to 2007, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Output per hour and unit labor costs increased as well.
 
Between 1987 and 2007, labor productivity in wholesale trade increased at a 3.3% average annual rate.
 
Output per hour grew in 12 of 19 detailed wholesale trade industries in 2007. Commercial equipment wholesalers experienced the largest productivity gain, 13.7 percent. Unit labor costs fell in seven of the 19 detailed industries, but rose 1.9 percent in wholesale trade overall.
 
From 1987 to 2007, labor productivity rose 3.3% per year in wholesale trade, on average. Output increased 4.1% per year and hours grew 0.7% per year. Labor productivity rose in 17 of the 19 detailed industries. The fastest growth in output per hour occurred in commercial equipment wholesalers and electric goods wholesalers, 15.6% and 8.9% per year, respectively. Unit labor costs rose in all but two of the wholesale trade industries over the period, and increased 0.9% per year overall in the wholesale trade sector.