Job growth in the small business sector is a positive sign, despite uncertainty in the market

Xero data shows jobs rose seven percent year on year in the March quarter -- more than double the long-term average.

Sales were down 0.6 percent year-on-year -- and are well below the long-term average.

Xero Country Manager Bridget Snelling says small businesses are attracting and retaining talent -- even though sales aren't where they want them.

She says there were green shoots for sales at the beginning of the year -- but March was impacted negatively, probably because of Easter.