All Other Specialty Food Retailers
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing miscellaneous specialty foods (except fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, confections, nuts, popcorn, and baked goods) not for immediate consumption and not made on the premises. Illustrative Examples: Coffee and tea (i.e., packaged) retailers Soft drink (i.e., bottled) retailers Dairy product retailers Spice retailers Gourmet food retailers Water (i.e., bottled) retailers
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. |
| 4452 | Specialty Food Retailers 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing specialized lines of food not for immediate consumption. |
| 44529 | Other Specialty Food Retailers 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing specialty foods (except fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and seafood) not for immediate consumption and not made on the premises. Illustrative Examples: Baked goods (not made on premises) retailers Dairy product retailers Coffee and tea (i.e., packaged) retailers Gourmet food retailers Confectionery (i.e., packaged) retailers Nut (i.e., packaged) retailers |
| 445298 | All Other Specialty Food Retailers 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing miscellaneous specialty foods (except fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, confections, nuts, popcorn, and baked goods) not for immediate consumption and not made on the premises. Illustrative Examples: Coffee and tea (i.e., packaged) retailers Soft drink (i.e., bottled) retailers Dairy product retailers Spice retailers Gourmet food retailers Water (i.e., bottled) retailers |
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Classification References
- 01Preparing and/or serving snack foods (e.g., doughnuts, bagels, ice cream, popcorn) for immediate consumption on or near the premises--are classified in U.S. Industry 722515, Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars;
- 02Retailing fresh fruits and vegetables--are classified in Industry 445230, Fruit and Vegetable Retailers;
- 03Retailing fresh, frozen, or cured meats and poultry--are classified in Industry 445240, Meat Retailers;
- 04Retailing fresh, frozen, or cured fish and seafood products--are classified in Industry 445250, Fish and Seafood Retailers;
- 05Retailing baked goods not for immediate consumption and not made on the premises--are classified in U.S. Industry 445291, Baked Goods Retailers;
- 06Retailing candy and other confections, nuts, and popcorn not for immediate consumption and not made on the premises--are classified in U.S. Industry 445292, Confectionery and Nut Retailers;
- 07Retailing fruit baskets and bouquets--are classified in Industry 459420, Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers; and
- 08Dairy farming, making dairy products, and selling them at roadside stands or market stalls--are classified in Industry 112120, Dairy Cattle and Milk Production.
Index Items
Bottled water providers, direct selling
Coffee and tea (i.e., packaged) stores
Dairy product stores
Fix-and-freeze meal stores
Frozen food and freezer meal plan providers, direct selling
Gourmet food stores
Ice cream (i.e., packaged) stores
Meal assembly retailers
Soft drink stores, bottled
Specialty food stores
Spice stores
Take-and-bake meal stores
Take-and-bake pizza shops
Tea and coffee (i.e., packaged) stores
Water stores, bottled
How Item Can Help
Warehouse Management Systems optimize inventory for perishable items by tracking shelf life and automating restocking schedules, which minimizes food waste and ensures fresh products reach customers quickly.
Transportation Management Systems ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations by optimizing cold chain logistics and monitoring temperature data in real-time throughout the delivery journey.
Data Intelligence tools analyze purchase patterns and seasonal trends to predict demand fluctuations, allowing retailers to align procurement and marketing strategies with high-demand specialty food products.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 445298.
National Caterers Association
Leading trade association representing the specialty food retail and catering industry.
USDA Economic Research Service - Specialty Food Retailers
Government page providing detailed statistical data on the specialty food retail sector.
SBA Small Business Directory
U.S. government resource offering industry classification definitions and guidance for specialty food retailers.
