Division Description
This division includes establishments engaged in selling merchandise for personal or household consumption and rendering services incidental to the sale of the goods. In general, retail establishments are classified by kind of business according to the principal lines of commodities sold (groceries, hardware, etc.), or the usual trade designation (drug store, cigar store, etc.). Some of the important characteristics of retail trade establishments are: the establishment is usually a place of business and is engaged in activities to attract the general public to buy; the establishment buys or receives merchandise as well as sells; the establishment may process its products, but such processing is incidental or subordinate to selling; the establishment is considered as retail in the trade; and the establishment sells to customers for personal or household use. Not all of these characteristics need be present and some are modified by trade practice.
For the most part, establishments engaged in retail trade sell merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption. Exceptions to this general rule are lumber yards; paint, glass, and wallpaper stores; typewriter stores; stationery stores; and gasoline service stations which sell to both the general public for personal or household consumption and to businesses. These types of stores are classified in Retail Trade even if a higher proportion of their sales is made to other than individuals for personal or household consumption.
However, establishments that sell these products only to institutional or industrial users and to other wholesalers and establishments that sell similar merchandise for use exclusively by business establishments are classified in Wholesale Trade.
Establishments primarily engaged in selling such merchandise as plumbing equipment; electrical supplies; used automobile parts; and office furniture are classified in Wholesale Trade, even if a higher proportion of their sales is made to individuals for personal or household consumption.
Buying of goods for resale to the consumer is a characteristic of retail trade establishments that particularly distinguishes them from the agricultural and extractive industries. For example, farmers who sell only their own produce at or from the point of production are not classified as retailers.
Processing incidental or subordinate to selling often is conducted at retail stores. For example, restaurants prepare meals, and meat markets cut meat. Separate establishments selling merchandise for personal or household consumption which has been manufactured by other establishments of the same company are classified in Retail Trade.
Chain store warehouses are considered auxiliary to the retail establishment served and are classified on the basis of the activity carried on by such retail stores.
Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of used motor vehicles, trailers, and boats are classified in Major Group 55; those selling used mobile homes are classified in Industry 5271; those selling used automobile parts are classified in Wholesale Trade, Industry 5015; and those selling all other used merchandise are classified in Industry Group 593. Establishments primarily engaged in non-store retailing are classified in Industry Group 596.
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Retail Trade in the US (44-45)
Revenue 2025
$7414.7bn
Growth 2025
0.23%
Key Trends
Retail operators have benefited from increases in per capita disposable income
Disposable income and consumer spending growth have driven the sector's success
Consumers with high-incomes will continue to opt for high-end merchandise
Products and Services
US-SIC Hierarchy G - Retail Trade
US-SIC Code G - Retail Trade sits in the 2-digit Retail Trade 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 G - Retail Trade
For business marketing and targeting, US SIC Codes have been extended to provide more specific classifications within US-SIC G - Retail Trade. Extended US SIC Codes are being continuously updated to reflect the current business environment.
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