Final answer:
The industry that employs the greatest number of people in small business is retail businesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The industry that employs the greatest number of people in small business is retail businesses. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in services have increased dramatically in the last few decades, and the majority of the workforce in well-developed economies like the United States is employed in service industries. This includes retail businesses, which provide a wide range of products and services to consumers.