Used Merchandise Retailers
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing used merchandise, antiques, and secondhand goods (except motor vehicles, such as automobiles, RVs, motorcycles, and boats; motor vehicle parts; tires; and mobile homes). This industry includes establishments retailing used merchandise on an auction basis. Illustrative Examples: Antique retailers Used household appliance retailers Used book retailers Used merchandise thrift shops Used clothing retailers Used sporting goods 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. |
| 4595 | Used Merchandise Retailers 4-digit industry group | 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. |
| 45951 | Used Merchandise Retailers 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 459510. |
| 459510 | Used Merchandise Retailers 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing used merchandise, antiques, and secondhand goods (except motor vehicles, such as automobiles, RVs, motorcycles, and boats; motor vehicle parts; tires; and mobile homes). This industry includes establishments retailing used merchandise on an auction basis. Illustrative Examples: Antique retailers Used household appliance retailers Used book retailers Used merchandise thrift shops Used clothing retailers Used sporting goods retailers |
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Classification References
- 01Operating pawnshops--are classified in U.S. Industry 522299, International, Secondary Market, and All Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation;
- 02Retailing used automobiles--are classified in Industry 441120, Used Car Dealers;
- 03Retailing used automobile parts (except tires and tubes)--are classified in Industry 441330, Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers;
- 04Retailing used tires--are classified in Industry 441340, Tire Dealers;
- 05Retailing used mobile homes--are classified in Industry 459930, Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers;
- 06Retailing used recreational vehicles--are classified in Industry 441210, Recreational Vehicle Dealers;
- 07Retailing used boats--are classified in U.S. Industry 441222, Boat Dealers;
- 08Retailing used motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), aircraft, snowmobiles, and utility trailers--are classified in U.S. Industry 441227, Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor Vehicle Dealers; and
- 09Retailing a general line of new and used merchandise on an auction basis--are classified in U.S. Industry 455219, All Other General Merchandise Retailers.
Index Items
Antique dealers (except motor vehicles)
Antique shops
Apparel stores, used clothing
Appliance stores, household, used
Architectural salvage dealers
Auctions, general merchandise (used), Internet retail
Bicycle (except motorized) shops, used
Book clubs, not publishing, used books, mail-order
Book stores, used
Clothing stores, used
Computer software, prepackaged, used, mail-order houses
Consignment shops, used merchandise
Electronic auctions, general merchandise (used), retail
Flea markets, used merchandise, permanent
Furniture stores, used
General merchandise (used) auction houses
Internet auctions, general merchandise (used), retail
Internet retail sales sites, used general merchandise
Music stores (e.g., cassette, instrument, record, tape), used
Prerecorded tape, compact disc, and record, used, mail-order houses
Rare manuscript stores
Record stores, used
Secondhand merchandise stores
Sporting goods stores, used
Thrift shops, used merchandise
Used bicycle (except motorized) shops
Used merchandise dealers (except motor vehicles and parts)
Used merchandise stores
Used rare collectors' items (e.g., autograph, coin, card, stamps) shops
Used rare collectors' items (e.g., autograph, coin, card, stamps), mail-order houses
How Item Can Help
Data Intelligence platforms analyze sales trends and inventory patterns to predict demand for niche used items, enabling proactive restocking and reducing dead stock in a volatile market.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 459510.
International used clothing and secondhand goods trade association
The USI is the primary trade association representing secondhand retailers and suppliers in North America.
U.S. Department of Commerce Census of Governments
The U.S. Census Bureau provides official data definitions and maps for the NAICS 459510 industry code.
National Association of Secondhand Dealers (NASHD)
This organization serves as a key resource for independent used merchandise dealers and collectors across the United States.
