Because income fuels consumption, here are some employment issues worth considering

Observation:   Today’s USA Today features an enlightening story about job prospects for 2012, including which categories and regions are most likely to hire.  Click here to see the story.

Implications:   I’m getting excited about the prospects for job growth in a lot of categories… and in regions that include those hardest hit by the real estate meltdown.

As these employment levels rise, are you monitoring the progress in your own market?  Timing is no less critical in a recovery than it was when we were headed into the recession back in 2007 and 2008.  Are you poised to speak with consumers who are seeing their spending power return?

Mike Anderson, for the Elm Street Economics consumer trends blog. A service of The Center for Sales Strategy, Inc.