Home Centers
Description
This industry comprises establishments generally known as home centers primarily engaged in retailing a general line of new home repair and improvement materials and supplies, such as lumber, plumbing goods, electrical goods, tools, housewares, hardware, and lawn and garden supplies, with no one merchandise line predominating.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Retail Trade 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Retail Trade sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. The retailing process is the final step in the distribution of merchandise; retailers are, therefore, organized to sell merchandise in small quantities to the general public. Retail stores are fixed point-of-sale locations, located and designed to attract a high volume of walk-in customers. In general, retail stores have extensive displays of merchandise and use mass-media advertising to attract customers. Retailers often reach customers and market merchandise with methods other than, or in addition to, physical stores, such as Internet websites, the broadcasting of "infomercials," the broadcasting and publishing of direct-response advertising, the publishing of paper and electronic catalogs, door-to-door solicitation, in-home demonstration, selling from portable stalls (street vendors, except food), and distribution through vending machines. Establishments engaged in the direct sale and home delivery of products, such as home heating oil dealers and home delivery newspaper routes, are included here. Retail establishments typically sell merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption, but some also serve business and institutional clients. These include office supply retailers, computer and software retailers, building materials dealers, plumbing supply retailers, and electrical supply retailers. In addition to retailing merchandise, some retailers are also engaged in the provision of after-sales services, such as repair and installation. For example, new automobile dealers, electronics and appliance retailers, and musical instrument and supplies retailers often provide repair services. As a general rule, establishments engaged in retailing merchandise and providing after-sales services are classified in this sector. Retail trade establishments are grouped into industries and industry groups typically based on one or more of the following criteria: (a) The merchandise line or lines carried; for example, specialty retailers are distinguished from general-line retailers. (b) The usual trade designation of the establishments. This criterion applies in cases where a retailer is well recognized by the industry and the public, but difficult to define strictly in terms of merchandise lines carried; for example, pharmacies and department stores. (c) Human resource requirements in terms of expertise; for example, the staff of an automobile dealer requires knowledge in financing, registering, and licensing issues that are not necessary in other retail industries. The buying of goods for resale is a characteristic of retail trade establishments that particularly distinguishes them from establishments in the agriculture, manufacturing, and construction industries. For example, farms that sell their products at or from the point of production are not classified in retail, but rather in agriculture. Similarly, establishments that both manufacture and sell their products to the general public are not classified in retail, but rather in manufacturing. However, establishments that engage in processing activities incidental to retailing are classified in retail. This includes optical goods retailers that grind lenses, and meat and seafood retailers that process carcasses into cuts. Wholesalers also engage in the buying of goods for resale, but they are not usually organized to serve the general public. They typically operate from a warehouse or office, and neither the design nor the location of these premises is intended to solicit a high volume of walk-in traffic. Wholesalers supply institutional, industrial, wholesale, and retail clients; their operations are, therefore, generally organized to purchase, sell, and deliver merchandise in larger quantities. However, dealers of durable nonconsumer goods, such as farm machinery and heavy-duty trucks, are included in wholesale trade even if they often sell these products in single units. |
| 444 | Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers subsector retail new building materials, hardware, paint, and garden and outdoor power equipment and supplies. Establishments in this subsector with fixed point-of-sale locations, including home centers and retail lumber yards, may display merchandise either indoors or outdoors under covered areas. The staff is usually knowledgeable in the use of the specific products being retailed in the construction, repair, and maintenance of the home and associated grounds. |
| 4441 | Building Material and Supplies Dealers 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new building materials and supplies. |
| 44411 | Home Centers 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 444110. |
| 444110 | Home Centers 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments generally known as home centers primarily engaged in retailing a general line of new home repair and improvement materials and supplies, such as lumber, plumbing goods, electrical goods, tools, housewares, hardware, and lawn and garden supplies, with no one merchandise line predominating. |
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Classification References
- 01Establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of new hardware items, such as tools and builders' hardware, are classified in Industry 444140, Hardware Retailers.
Index Items
Home centers, building materials
Home improvement centers
How Item Can Help
The Order Management System unifies orders from retail stores and online channels, allowing home centers to automate restocking and fulfill customer requests with a single view of inventory status.
The Transportation Management System optimizes the routing of bulky shipments, lowering freight costs and delivery times for heavy goods often found in home centers.
Advanced data intelligence tools analyze purchase trends and seasonality to predict demand for specific categories, enabling home centers to optimize inventory allocation and reduce markdowns on slow-moving stock.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 444110.
National Association of Home Builders
The primary trade association representing home builders and suppliers including home centers.
U.S. Census Bureau NAICS Lookup
Official government page detailing the definition and classification for NAICS code 444110.
Mintel Industry Profile
Industry analysis directory covering market trends and key companies in the home centers sector.
