Sporting Goods Retailers
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new sporting goods, such as bicycles and bicycle parts; camping equipment; exercise and fitness equipment; athletic uniforms; specialty sports footwear; and other sporting goods, equipment, and accessories. Illustrative Examples: Athletic uniform supply retailers Fishing supply retailers Bicycle (except motorized) retailers Golf pro shops Bowling equipment and supply retailers Tack shops Diving equipment retailers Sporting goods (e.g., scuba, skiing, ball sports) retailers Exercise equipment retailers Sporting gun and hunting equipment retailers Camping and hiking equipment retailers
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. |
| 459 | Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers subsector retail new sporting goods; new toys, games, and hobby supplies; new sewing supplies and needlework accessories; new musical instruments; new books, newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals; and other specialized lines of merchandise, such as cut flowers and floral arrangements, new office supplies and stationery, new gifts, novelty merchandise, and souvenirs, used merchandise, pets and pet supplies, art, new or used manufactured (mobile) homes, and tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and other smoking supplies. |
| 4591 | Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new sporting goods, toys, games, hobby supplies, sewing supplies, needlework accessories, and musical instruments. |
| 45911 | Sporting Goods Retailers 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 459110. |
| 459110 | Sporting Goods Retailers 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new sporting goods, such as bicycles and bicycle parts; camping equipment; exercise and fitness equipment; athletic uniforms; specialty sports footwear; and other sporting goods, equipment, and accessories. Illustrative Examples: Athletic uniform supply retailers Fishing supply retailers Bicycle (except motorized) retailers Golf pro shops Bowling equipment and supply retailers Tack shops Diving equipment retailers Sporting goods (e.g., scuba, skiing, ball sports) retailers Exercise equipment retailers Sporting gun and hunting equipment retailers Camping and hiking equipment retailers |
Need a supply chain stack that maps to this industry?
Use this NAICS classification as the starting point, then connect it to Item workflows across inventory, warehousing, order management, fulfillment, and transportation.
Classification References
- 01Retailing new or used truck campers and camping trailers--are classified in Industry 441210, Recreational Vehicle Dealers;
- 02Retailing new or used snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, motorized bicycles, utility trailers, personal watercraft, and motorized golf carts--are classified in U.S. Industry 441227, Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor Vehicle Dealers;
- 03Retailing new or used boats, outboard motors, and boat trailers--are classified in U.S. Industry 441222, Boat Dealers;
- 04Retailing new shoes (except specialty sports footwear, such as golf shoes, bowling shoes, and cleated shoes)--are classified in Industry 458210, Shoe Retailers;
- 05Repairing or servicing sporting goods--are classified in Industry 811490, Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance;
- 06Retailing used sporting goods and used bicycles (except motorized)--are classified in Industry 459510, Used Merchandise Retailers;
- 07Operating marinas--are classified in Industry 713930, Marinas;
- 08Operating shooting ranges--are classified in Industry 713990, All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries; and
- 09Operating golf courses (except miniature)--are classified in Industry 713910, Golf Courses and Country Clubs.
Index Items
Athletic equipment and supply stores (including uniforms)
Bicycle (except motorized) shops
Bowling equipment and supply stores
Camping and hiking equipment stores
Diving equipment stores
Exercise equipment stores
Fishing supply stores (e.g., bait)
Footwear (e.g., bowling, golf, cleated), specialty sports, stores
Golf pro shops
Gun shops
Hunting equipment stores
Outdoor sporting equipment stores
Pro shops (e.g., golf, skiing, tennis)
Saddlery stores
Shoe stores, specialty sports footwear (e.g., bowling, golf, cleated)
Sporting goods stores
Sports gear stores (e.g., outdoors, scuba, skiing)
Tack (e.g., harnesses, saddlery) shops
Tackle shops (i.e., fishing)
Uniform stores, athletic
How Item Can Help
Our Order Management System enables real-time coordination of multi-channel orders from e-commerce, social media, and brick-and-mortar locations for sporting goods retailers.
The Transportation Management System reduces last-mile delivery costs for heavy equipment like bikes or boats by selecting the most efficient carrier routes.
Data Intelligence platforms analyze purchasing trends and seasonal demand surges to forecast stock levels for specific sports categories and prevent inventory stockouts.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 459110.
Sporting Goods Manufacturers' Association
Leading trade association representing manufacturers and retailers of outdoor and sporting equipment in the US.
Bureau of Labor Statistics Industry Profile
Official US government page providing wage data and job outlook details for the Sporting Goods Retailers industry.
Sporting Goods Show Directory
Industry directory offering resources, news, and directory listings for the sporting goods retail and manufacturing sector.
