With the April employment report in the rear-view mirror, the financial world will turns its attention to the next key data point on jobs-- the JOLTS report on turnover rates being released Tuesday.

Yahoo Finance Columnist Rick Newman notes it's important to the recovery that we see gains in the so-called "quits rate" -- people voluntarily leaving their job.

“That number is really low during recessions-- everyone’s afraid to leave because there are no other jobs,” he points out. “When that number goes up, people are a lot more confident about getting another job, they’re finding opportunities. Economists are saying we need to see the quits rate go much higher before we are really comfortable that the job market looks really strong.”

Get the Latest Market Data and News with the Yahoo Finance App

Another important read on the health of the economy comes Wednesday when the Commerce Department reports on April retail sales. And Yahoo Finance’s Jen Rogers notes some very big players in that industry will be releasing their quarterly results as well next week.

“We’ve got Macy’s (M), Kohl’s (KSS) and JCPenney (JCP),” she says. “And we want to see what the consumer is up to since we haven’t seen them spend all that gas money.”

Yahoo Finance Senior Columnist Michael Santoli is a bit cynical about what the retailers will likely be saying  if their numbers aren’t so great.

“A lot of people had to buy the late-season coats this year, so they shouldn’t be able to blame the weather,” he argues. “But then they’re going to say they couldn’t buy spring stuff until late.”

Rogers says she resembles that remark.

“I did buy a coat at a discount that I’m just going to put away,” she laughs.

And Rogers adds another factor may be affecting demand.

“Do people not care about buying stuff for their closet anymore,” she asks. “Do they want ‘experiences’ now?’”

An experience Yahoo Finance Editor in Chief Andy Serwer will be having is “May Madness”-- the start of the NCAA men’s lacrosse championship. And Santoli points out the sport has a real Wall Street connection.

“A disproportionate number of these guys will end up on Wall Street if history holds,” he explains. “There’s a real big subculture on Wall Street of lacrosse guys. And those battles get fought out across trading desks after these guys get out of school.”

However, don’t expect Santoli to be following the action too closely…it’s another sport’s postseason that brings him back to his college days.

“I’m looking at the Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference baseball tournament,” the Wesleyan University grad says.