alaska economic trends october 2004 13 source department of labor and workforce development research analysis section retail trade is state s largest private sector industry 1 by neal fried economist 20 8 10 2 16 7 11 34 25 425 23 6 9 29 14 4 transportation utilities natural resources construction manufacturing health care social assistance professional business services wholesale government information leisure hospitality financial other 3 27 5 etail has been one the more dynamic industries in over past decade both its large small markets are constant flux a regular part lives most people nearly everyone daily or at least weekly encounter with this for necessities life be it gallon milk fishing pole prescription underwear convenient supplier residents communities that have few no local options access via internet catalog telephone all shopping adds up to
