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.

July 2025 REPORT

Main Street cools as summer slowdown dampens hiring and activity

Key findings:

  • Employee participation and hours worked fell -0.7% and -0.3%, reflecting typical mid-summer slowdowns, though declines were softer than July 2024.
  • Business openings dropped across all regions; the Southwest and Southeast lagged, while only the Northeast posted gains in employee activity.
  • Entertainment led job growth with a +2.7% increase, supported by hospitality; personal services and retail continued to decline.
  • Wages rose modestly despite a -11.7% drop in hiring, as businesses focused on retention; turnover held steady.

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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.