HOMEBASE DATA REPORTS

Main Street Health Report

Each month, we report on key trends in small business data—like how weather, the economy, and seasonality impact owners and managers across America.

August 2025 REPORT

Main Street reshuffles as seasonal slowdown meets elevated turnover

Key findings:

  • Employee participation and hours worked both declined -3.0%, in line with August trends seen in 2023–2024, reflecting typical end-of-summer softening.
  • Business activity contracted across all regions, led by the Southeast (-4.1% in Employees Working); losses were steepest in Entertainment, Caregiving, and Home & Repair.
  • Turnover surged +17%, the strongest August since 2023, driven by seasonal exits and staffing resets.
  • Hiring rose ~10% from July as businesses backfilled some of the vacated positions.

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Employee activity declined in July amid typical mid-summer slowdown, though losses were milder than in 2024. Entertainment and hospitality led industry gains, while personal services and retail continued to lag. Wage growth persisted despite sharp hiring cuts, as businesses prioritized retention.

Employee activity rose in June but remained below prior-year levels, reflecting a slower seasonal ramp. Entertainment and Home & Repair led industry gains, though momentum softened from past summers.

Workforce engagement and employee activity held steady in April, following seasonal hiring trends seen in past years.

Workforce engagement held steady, Entertainment and Home & Repair led hiring, and Midwest/Northeast saw business growth. Wages rose modestly as labor costs increased.

Employee activity rose above previous years, with strong growth in Entertainment and Home & Repair. Midwest and Northeast led regional gains. Wages stabilized, with retail seeing a slight boost.

Employee activity dipped slightly, while retail and caregiving saw holiday boosts. Wages increased modestly. Turnover and hiring dropped as SMBs maintained steady rosters through season’s end.

Retail and Food & Drink drove wage growth. Holiday staffing drove upticks in hiring and turnover. Beauty & Wellness and Medical & Veterinary led industry growth amid Southeast’s rebound.

Employee activity slowed across most regions. Hurricanes hurt the Southeast, while Entertainment saw a sharper decline than usual. Hospitality posted a small gain. Wages and rosters stayed flat.

Workforce activity softened but was stronger than last year. Midwest and Northeast experienced weather-related dips. Hourly wages rose steadily, while hiring and turnover flattened after August.

Employee activity and hours worked declined across all regions. Entertainment saw the sharpest drop as schools reopened. Meanwhile, wages rose across all sectors, driving up labor costs.

Employee activity hit a three-year low, with the Southwest hardest hit. Entertainment and Hospitality performed best among slowing industries.