
Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers)
Description
This industry comprises establishments generally known as supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food, such as canned and frozen foods; fresh fruits and vegetables; and fresh and prepared meats, fish, and poultry. Included in this industry are delicatessen-type establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food.
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. |
| 445 | Food and Beverage Retailers 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Food and Beverage Retailers subsector primarily retail general or specialized lines of food and beverage products. Establishments in this subsector with fixed point-of-sale locations have special equipment (e.g., freezers, refrigerated display cases, refrigerators) for displaying food and beverage products and have staff trained in the processing of food products to guarantee the proper storage and sanitary conditions required by regulatory authority. Vending machine operators are also included in this subsector. |
| 4451 | Grocery and Convenience Retailers 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food products. This industry group also includes vending machine operators. |
| 44511 | Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 445110. |
| 445110 | Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments generally known as supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food, such as canned and frozen foods; fresh fruits and vegetables; and fresh and prepared meats, fish, and poultry. Included in this industry are delicatessen-type establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food. |
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Classification References
- 01Retailing automotive fuels in combination with a convenience store or food mart--are classified in Industry 457110, Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores;
- 02Retailing a limited line of groceries, such as convenience stores or food marts (except those operating fuel pumps)--are classified in U.S. Industry 445131, Convenience Retailers;
- 03Providing food services in delicatessen-type establishments--are classified in U.S. Industry 722513, Limited-Service Restaurants;
- 04Retailing fresh meat in delicatessen-type establishments--are classified in Industry 445240, Meat Retailers; and
- 05Grocery order and delivery services on behalf of grocery retailers--are classified in Industry 492210, Local Messengers and Local Delivery.
Index Items
Commissaries, primarily groceries
Delicatessens primarily retailing a range of grocery items and meats
Food (i.e., groceries) stores
Grocery stores
Supermarkets
How Item Can Help
Advanced analytics tools identify regional buying trends and expiration risks, allowing retailers to adjust purchasing strategies in real time to reduce food spoilage and improve profit margins.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 445110.
Association of Grocery Supermarkets of America
The largest trade association for grocery retailers in North America.
U.S. Census Bureau
Official government resource for NAICS code definitions and industry statistics.
Business.com
An industry directory providing insights, news, and profiles for supermarket businesses.