Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers
Description
NAICS sector 445320 encompasses businesses that primarily sell packaged alcoholic beverages directly to consumers without further processing or manufacturing these products. These establishments specialize in retailing a wide variety of ale, beer, wine, liquor, and spirits, often stocking an extensive selection of national and imported brands. Typical operations involve purchasing inventory from wholesalers, maintaining secure storage facilities to comply with strict licensing laws, and managing point-of-sale systems for transactions. Most businesses in this category are licensed to serve customers and may provide additional services such as food sales, drink mixtures, or barista coffee options to enhance the shopping experience. The types of operators include independent liquor stores, chain retailers, convenience stores with alcohol sections, and dedicated beer and wine shops. These businesses serve distinct markets ranging from casual neighborhood buyers to enthusiasts seeking specific vintage wines or rare spirits. In terms of scale and scope, operations vary significantly in size, from small family-owned local shops with limited square footage to large regional chains with multiple locations. Despite varying sizes, all establishments within this classification adhere to federal and state regulations regarding age verification and responsible sales. Their economic activity remains focused on the direct sale of finished beverages, distinguishing them from wholesalers or distributors who handle bulk orders for other 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. |
| 4453 | Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers 4-digit industry group | 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. |
| 44532 | Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 445320. |
| 445320 | Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers 6-digit U.S. detail | NAICS sector 445320 encompasses businesses that primarily sell packaged alcoholic beverages directly to consumers without further processing or manufacturing these products. These establishments specialize in retailing a wide variety of ale, beer, wine, liquor, and spirits, often stocking an extensive selection of national and imported brands. Typical operations involve purchasing inventory from wholesalers, maintaining secure storage facilities to comply with strict licensing laws, and managing point-of-sale systems for transactions. Most businesses in this category are licensed to serve customers and may provide additional services such as food sales, drink mixtures, or barista coffee options to enhance the shopping experience. The types of operators include independent liquor stores, chain retailers, convenience stores with alcohol sections, and dedicated beer and wine shops. These businesses serve distinct markets ranging from casual neighborhood buyers to enthusiasts seeking specific vintage wines or rare spirits. In terms of scale and scope, operations vary significantly in size, from small family-owned local shops with limited square footage to large regional chains with multiple locations. Despite varying sizes, all establishments within this classification adhere to federal and state regulations regarding age verification and responsible sales. Their economic activity remains focused on the direct sale of finished beverages, distinguishing them from wholesalers or distributors who handle bulk orders for other retailers. |
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Classification References
- 01Retailing packaged liquor in combination with providing prepared drinks for immediate consumption on the premises--are classified in Industry 722410, Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages);
- 02Manufacturing brewery, winery, and distillery products for consumption off the premises--are classified in Industry Group 3121, Beverage Manufacturing; and
- 03Manufacturing brewery, winery, and distillery products in combination with providing prepared food and drinks for immediate consumption on the premises--are classified in Subsector 722, Food Services and Drinking Places.
Index Items
Beer stores, packaged
Duty free liquor shops
Liquor stores, package
Package stores (i.e., liquor)
Wine shops, packaged
How Item Can Help
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