SIC Codes and Counts by Division

Division: G — Retail Trade

*Click for Detailed Description of This Industry*

Code Industry TitleNumber of
US Entities
52Building Matrials, Hrdwr, Garden Supply & Mobile Home Dealrs110,786
5211Lumber and Other Building Materials38,426
5231Paint, Glass, and Wallpaper Stores27,180
5251Hardware Stores22,326
5261Retail Nurseries and Garden Stores18,735
5271Mobile Home Dealers4,119
53General Merchandise Stores62,619
5311Department Stores19,315
5331Variety Stores26,340
5399Miscellaneous General Merchandise16,964
54Food Stores282,460
5411Grocery Stores143,448
5421Meat and Fish Markets11,983
5431Fruit and Vegetable Markets7,506
5441Candy, Nut, and Confectionery Stores11,135
5451Dairy Products Stores2,952
5461Retail Bakeries61,532
5499Miscellaneous Food Stores43,904
55Automotive Dealers and Gasoline Service Stations295,024
5511New and Used Car Dealers68,236
5521Used Car Dealers40,421
5531Auto and Home Supply Stores75,324
5541Gasoline Service Stations64,718
5551Boat Dealers12,020
5561Recreational Vehicle Dealers4,611
5571Motorcycle Dealers10,317
5599Automotive Dealers, Nec19,377
56Apparel and Accessory Stores212,051
5611Men's and Boys' Clothing Stores16,371
5621Women's Clothing Stores102,211
5632Women's Accessory and Specialty Stores10,501
5641Children's and Infants' Wear Stores7,141
5651Family Clothing Stores25,112
5661Shoe Stores19,257
5699Miscellaneous Apparel and Accessories31,458
57Home Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment Stores197,512
5712Furniture Stores50,061
5713Floor Covering Stores49,227
5714Drapery and Upholstery Stores2,648
5719Miscellaneous Homefurnishings23,186
5722Household Appliance Stores11,050
5731Radio, Television, and Electronic Stores14,108
5734Computer and Software Stores28,009
5735Record and Prerecorded Tape Stores8,954
5736Musical Instrument Stores10,269
58Eating and Drinking Places775,123
5812Eating Places696,319
5813Drinking Places78,804
59Miscellaneous Retail753,909
Total US Business Entities4,625,059

Division: G — Retail Trade

This division includes establishments engaged in selling merchandise for personal or household consumption and rendering services incidental to the sale of the goods. In general, retail establishments are classified by kind of business according to the principal lines of commodities sold (groceries, hardware, etc.), or the usual trade designation (drug store, cigar store, etc.). Some of the important characteristics of retail trade establishments are: the establishment is usually a place of business and is engaged in activities to attract the general public to buy; the establishment buys or receives merchandise as well as sells; the establishment may process its products, but such processing is incidental or subordinate to selling; the establishment is considered as retail in the trade; and the establishment sells to customers for personal or household use. Not all of these characteristics need be present and some are modified by trade practice.

For the most part, establishments engaged in retail trade sell merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption. Exceptions to this general rule are lumber yards; paint, glass, and wallpaper stores; typewriter stores; stationery stores; and gasoline service stations which sell to both the general public for personal or household consumption and to businesses. These types of stores are classified in Retail Trade even if a higher proportion of their sales is made to other than individuals for personal or household consumption.

However, establishments that sell these products only to institutional or industrial users and to other wholesalers and establishments that sell similar merchandise for use exclusively by business establishments are classified in Wholesale Trade.

Establishments primarily engaged in selling such merchandise as plumbing equipment; electrical supplies; used automobile parts; and office furniture are classified in Wholesale Trade, even if a higher proportion of their sales is made to individuals for personal or household consumption.

Buying of goods for resale to the consumer is a characteristic of retail trade establishments that particularly distinguishes them from the agricultural and extractive industries. For example, farmers who sell only their own produce at or from the point of production are not classified as retailers.

Processing incidental or subordinate to selling often is conducted at retail stores. For example, restaurants prepare meals, and meat markets cut meat. Separate establishments selling merchandise for personal or household consumption which has been manufactured by other establishments of the same company are classified in Retail Trade.

Chain store warehouses are considered auxiliary to the retail establishment served and are classified on the basis of the activity carried on by such retail stores.

Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of used motor vehicles, trailers, and boats are classified in Major Group 55; those selling used mobile homes are classified in Industry 5271; those selling used automobile parts are classified in Wholesale Trade, Industry 5015; and those selling all other used merchandise are classified in Industry Group 593. Establishments primarily engaged in non-store retailing are classified in Industry Group 596.