6-digit U.S. detail
455211
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments generally known as warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters, primarily engaged in retailing a general line of groceries, including a significant amount and variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and other perishable groceries, in combination with a general line of new merchandise, such as apparel, furniture, and appliances.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | 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. |
| 455 | General Merchandise Retailers 3-digit subsector | Industries in the General Merchandise Retailers subsector retail new general merchandise. This subsector includes new and used general merchandise auction retailers and establishments generally known as department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters. |
| 4552 | Warehouse Clubs, Supercenters, and Other General Merchandise Retailers 4-digit industry group | Industries in the General Merchandise Retailers subsector retail new general merchandise. This subsector includes new and used general merchandise auction retailers and establishments generally known as department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters. |
| 45521 | Warehouse Clubs, Supercenters, and Other General Merchandise Retailers 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new general merchandise (except department stores). These establishments retail a general line of new merchandise, such as apparel, automotive parts, dry goods, hardware, groceries, housewares, and home furnishings, with no one merchandise line predominating. Establishments generally known as warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters, and retailing a general line of merchandise in combination with a significant amount and variety of perishable groceries, are included in this industry. This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of new and used merchandise on an auction basis. Illustrative Examples: Dollar stores General merchandise (new and used) auction houses General merchandise showrooms General merchandise trading posts General stores Home and auto supply stores Superstores (i.e., food and general merchandise) Variety stores Warehouse clubs (i.e., food and general merchandise) |
| 455211 | Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments generally known as warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters, primarily engaged in retailing a general line of groceries, including a significant amount and variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and other perishable groceries, in combination with a general line of new merchandise, such as apparel, furniture, and appliances. |
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Classification References
- 01Retailing a general line of groceries, such as supermarkets and grocery stores--are classified in Industry 445110, Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers);
- 02Retailing a general line of new merchandise, generally known as department stores--are classified in Industry 455110, Department Stores;
- 03Retailing a general line of new merchandise, except department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores, and supercenters--are classified in U.S. Industry 455219, All Other General Merchandise Retailers;
- 04Retailing a general line of new home repair and improvement materials and supplies, generally known as home centers--are classified in Industry 444110, Home Centers; and
- 05Retailing used merchandise--are classified in Industry 459510, Used Merchandise Retailers.
Index Items
Internet supercenter sites
Internet warehouse club sites
Supercenters
Superstores (i.e., food and general merchandise)
Warehouse clubs (i.e., food and general merchandise)
How Item Can Help
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External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 455211.
American Business Development Company (ABDC)
A trade association dedicated to wholesale retailers and supercenters providing resources and advocacy.
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
A government page displaying official NAICS code 455211 statistics on employment and demographics for warehouse clubs and supercenters.
Business Data Services
An industry directory offering data and resources specifically focused on the supercenter market sector.
