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 Dealrs110,070
5211Lumber and Other Building Materials38,317
5231Paint, Glass, and Wallpaper Stores27,023
5251Hardware Stores22,087
5261Retail Nurseries and Garden Stores18,565
5271Mobile Home Dealers4,078
53General Merchandise Stores61,968
5311Department Stores19,235
5331Variety Stores26,107
5399Miscellaneous General Merchandise16,626
54Food Stores279,823
5411Grocery Stores142,740
5421Meat and Fish Markets11,862
5431Fruit and Vegetable Markets7,457
5441Candy, Nut, and Confectionery Stores11,015
5451Dairy Products Stores2,946
5461Retail Bakeries60,570
5499Miscellaneous Food Stores43,233
55Automotive Dealers and Gasoline Service Stations292,688
5511New and Used Car Dealers67,838
5521Used Car Dealers39,882
5531Auto and Home Supply Stores74,842
5541Gasoline Service Stations64,257
5551Boat Dealers11,928
5561Recreational Vehicle Dealers4,544
5571Motorcycle Dealers10,166
5599Automotive Dealers, Nec19,231
56Apparel and Accessory Stores207,032
5611Men's and Boys' Clothing Stores16,085
5621Women's Clothing Stores99,133
5632Women's Accessory and Specialty Stores10,379
5641Children's and Infants' Wear Stores7,080
5651Family Clothing Stores24,472
5661Shoe Stores19,064
5699Miscellaneous Apparel and Accessories30,819
57Home Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment Stores195,939
5712Furniture Stores49,662
5713Floor Covering Stores48,854
5714Drapery and Upholstery Stores2,646
5719Miscellaneous Homefurnishings23,056
5722Household Appliance Stores11,028
5731Radio, Television, and Electronic Stores14,008
5734Computer and Software Stores27,723
5735Record and Prerecorded Tape Stores8,806
5736Musical Instrument Stores10,156
58Eating and Drinking Places766,861
5812Eating Places688,633
5813Drinking Places78,228
59Miscellaneous Retail744,970
Total US Business Entities4,573,732

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.