Growth of Mail Order Business

Starting in the mid-90's, the Bureau of Labor Statistics added miscellaneous general merchandise stores - which includes warehouse clubs and catalog and mail-order houses - to its productivity measurement program.

Output increased in miscellaneous general merchandise stores by 6.0 percent per year and 8.6 percent per year in mail order.

Total employment in miscellaneous general merchandise stores fell at an average annual rate of 1.0 percent. Total employment in catalog and mail-order houses increased 5.2 percent per year.

Keep in mind this is before Internet sales added significantly to the merchandise delivered by mail. Internet sales have increased the volume of goods delivered by mail and made mail delivery more efficient, with more options.

The Wall Street Journal estimates total annual revenue from mail order at 55-65 billion, a figure that is expected to double in the next decade.

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