6-digit U.S. detail
459140
Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new musical instruments, sheet music, and related supplies; or retailing these new products in combination with musical instrument repair, rental, or music instruction. Illustrative Examples: Musical instrument retailers Sheet music retailers Piano 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. |
| 45914 | Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 459140. |
| 459140 | Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new musical instruments, sheet music, and related supplies; or retailing these new products in combination with musical instrument repair, rental, or music instruction. Illustrative Examples: Musical instrument retailers Sheet music retailers Piano retailers |
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Classification References
- 01Retailing new musical recordings, including downloadable music (without publishing)--are classified in Industry 449210, Electronics and Appliance Retailers;
- 02Streaming music without publishing--are classified in Industry 516210, Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers;
- 03Retailing used musical instruments (including used rare musical instruments), sheet music, and related supplies--are classified in Industry 459510, Used Merchandise Retailers;
- 04Repairing musical instruments without retailing new instruments--are classified in Industry 811490, Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance;
- 05Renting musical instruments without retailing new instruments--are classified in U.S. Industry 532289, All Other Consumer Goods Rental; and
- 06Providing musical instruction without retailing new instruments--are classified in Industry 611610, Fine Arts Schools.
Index Items
Music stores (i.e., instrument)
Musical instrument stores
Piano stores
Sheet music stores
How Item Can Help
Manages complex inventory levels by tracking high-value, variable-weight instruments across warehouses and coordinating precise stock allocation for seasonal demand.
Optimizes order routing to local suppliers for niche parts and large orders, reducing shipping times while maintaining accurate fulfillment status for all products.
Enables cost-effective transportation of oversized musical equipment like pianos and amplifiers by integrating multiple carrier options and providing real-time tracking for fragile goods.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 459140.
Music Row Association
A trade association representing musical instrument retailers and manufacturers in Nashville, Tennessee.
Census Bureau NAICS Classification
An official U.S. government page detailing the definition and scope of NAICS code 459140.
Music Trades Magazine
An industry directory and news source covering the retail sector for musical instruments and accessories.
