Industry Description
Retail stores generally carrying a general line of apparel, such as suits, coats, dresses, and furnishings; home furnishings, such as furniture, floor coverings, curtains, draperies, linens, and major household appliances; and housewares, such as table and kitchen appliances, dishes, and utensils. These stores must carry men's and women's apparel and either major household appliances or other home furnishings. These and other merchandise lines are normally arranged in separate sections or departments with the accounting on a departmentalized basis. The departments and functions are integrated under a single management. The stores usually provide their own charge accounts, deliver merchandise, and maintain open stocks. These stores normally have 50 employees or more. Establishments which sell a similar range of merchandise with less than 50 employees are classified in Industry 5399. Establishments which do not carry these general lines of merchandise are classified according to their primary activity.
Business Examples
Common types of business activities within US SIC 5311 - Department Stores are:
- Department stores-retail
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Department Stores in the US (45211)
Revenue 2025
$224.1bn
Growth 2025
0.75%
Key Trends
Online companies are increasingly undercutting traditional department store prices
The number of industry establishments has declined due to external competition
Outlet and discount department stores will continue to capture a greater market share
Products and Services
US-SIC Hierarchy 5311 - Department Stores
US-SIC Code 5311 - Department Stores sits in the 2-digit Department Stores sector. US SIC codes can be 2 to 8 digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be.
Division: G
Division Title: Retail Trade
2 Digits 3 Digits 4 Digits
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521 Lumber and Other Building Materials Dealers
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523 Paint, Glass and Wallpaper Stores
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525 Hardware Stores
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526 Retail Nurseries, Lawn and Garden Supply Stores
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527 Mobile Home Dealers
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531 Department Stores
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533 Variety Stores
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539 Miscellaneous General Merchandise Stores
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541 Grocery Stores
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542 Meat and Fish (seafood) Markets, Including
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543 Fruit and Vegetable Markets
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544 Candy, Nut, and Confectionery Stores
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545 Dairy Products Stores
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546 Retail Bakeries
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549 Miscellaneous Food Stores
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551 Motor Vehicle Dealers (new and Used)
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552 Motor Vehicle Dealers (used Only)
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553 Auto and Home Supply Stores
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554 Gasoline Service Stations
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555 Boat Dealers
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556 Recreational Vehicle Dealers
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557 Motorcycle Dealers
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559 Automotive Dealers, Not Elsewhere Classified
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561 Men's and Boys' Clothing and Accessory Stores
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562 Women's Clothing Stores
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563 Women's Accessory and Specialty Stores
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564 Children's and Infants' Wear Stores
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565 Family Clothing Stores
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566 Shoe Stores
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569 Miscellaneous Apparel and Accessory Stores
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571 Home Furniture and Furnishings Stores
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572 Household Appliance Stores
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573 Radio, Television, Consumer Electronics, and Music Stores
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581 Eating and Drinking Places
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591 Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores
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592 Liquor Stores
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593 Used Merchandise Stores
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594 Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores
- 5941 Sporting Goods Stores and Bicycle Shops
- 5942 Book Stores
- 5943 Stationery Stores
- 5944 Jewelry Stores
- 5945 Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops
- 5946 Camera and Photographic Supply Stores
- 5947 Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Shops
- 5948 Luggage and Leather Goods Stores
- 5949 Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Stores
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596 Nonstore Retailers
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598 Fuel Dealers
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599 Retail Stores, Not Elsewhere Classified
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Extended US-SIC Hierarchy for 5311 - Department Stores
For business marketing and targeting, US SIC Codes have been extended to provide more specific classifications within US-SIC 5311 - Department Stores. Extended US SIC Codes are being continuously updated to reflect the current business environment.
6 Digit SIC Codes
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531101 Resident buyers
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531102 Department stores
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531104 Retail shops
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531108 Home & personal care products
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531109 Merchandise marts
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531110 Wholesale clubs
8 Digit SIC Codes
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53110000 Department stores
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53119900 Department stores, nec
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53119901 Department stores, discount
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53119902 Department stores, non-discount
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US SIC Code Directory
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