Variant of NAICS 2007 - Labour Force Survey (LFS) Industries

7 - Services-Producing Sector

8 - Trade

44-45 - Retail Trade

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. This sector comprises two main types of retailers, that is, store and non-store retailers. Their main characteristics are described below.

Store Retailers

Store retailers operate 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. They typically sell merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption, but some also serve business and institutional clients. These include establishments such as office supplies stores, computer and software stores, gasoline stations, building material dealers, plumbing supplies stores and electrical supplies stores.

In addition to selling merchandise, some types of store retailers are also engaged in the provision of after-sales services, such as repair and installation. For example, new automobile dealers, electronic and appliance stores and musical instrument and supplies stores often provide repair services, while floor covering stores and window treatment stores often provide installation services. As a general rule, establishments engaged in retailing merchandise and providing after sales services are classified in this sector.

Catalogue sales showrooms, gasoline service stations, and mobile home dealers are treated as store retailers.

Non-Store Retailers

Non-store retailers, like store retailers, are organized to serve the general public, but their retailing methods differ. The establishments of this subsector reach customers and market merchandise with methods such as the broadcasting of infomercials, the broadcasting and publishing of direct-response advertising, the publishing of traditional and electronic catalogues, door-to-door solicitation, in-home demonstration, temporary displaying of merchandise (stalls) and distribution by vending machines.

The methods of transaction and delivery of merchandise vary by type of non-store retailers. For example, non-store retailers that reach their customers using information technologies can receive payment at the time of purchase or at the time of delivery, and the delivery of the merchandise may be done by the retailer or by a third party, such as the post office or a courier. In contrast, non-store retailers that reach their customers by door-to-door solicitation, in-home demonstration, temporary displaying of merchandise (stalls) and vending machines typically receive payment and deliver the merchandise to the customer at the time of the purchase.

The non-store retailers subsector also includes establishments engaged in the home delivery of products. This includes home heating oil dealers and newspaper delivery companies.

454 - Non-Store Retailers^US

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing merchandise by non-store retail methods. The establishments of this subsector employ methods, such as broadcasting infomercials, broadcasting and publishing direct-response advertising, publishing traditional and electronic catalogues, door-to-door solicitation, in-home demonstration, temporary displaying of merchandise (temporary stands or stalls), distribution by vending machines, and using the Internet to reach their customers and market their merchandise. Establishments primarily engaged in the direct sale (i.e. non-store) of products such as home heating fuels and in newspaper delivery are also included.

4541 - Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses^US

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing all types of merchandise using the electronic and print media to induce direct response by the customer. These establishments can employ methods, such as broadcasting infomercials, broadcasting and publishing direct-response advertising and publishing traditional or electronic catalogues, to display their merchandise and reach their customers. They can also provide sites facilitating consumer-to-consumer or business-to-consumer trade in new and used goods, on an auction basis, using the Internet. Transactions between these retailers and their customers typically require the use of information technology (telephone or computer network) and the delivery of merchandise is typically done by mail or courier. Establishments primarily engaged in retailing from catalogue showrooms, without stock, are also included.

45411 - Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing all types of merchandise using the electronic and print media to induce direct response by the customer. These establishments can employ methods, such as broadcasting infomercials, broadcasting and publishing direct-response advertising and publishing traditional or electronic catalogues, to display their merchandise and reach their customers. They can also provide sites facilitating consumer-to-consumer or business-to-consumer trade in new and used goods, on an auction basis, using the Internet. Transactions between these retailers and their customers typically require the use of information technology (telephone or computer network) and the delivery of merchandise is typically done by mail or courier. Establishments primarily engaged in retailing from catalogue showrooms, without stock, are also included.

454111 - Internet Shopping^US

This Canadian industry comprises establishments engaged in retailing all types of merchandise using the Internet.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • retailing all types of merchandise using mail-order catalogues or television to generate clients and display merchandise (See 454113 Mail-Order Houses)
  • store retailing or a combination of store retailing and Internet retailing of merchandise in the same establishment (classified to the store portion of the activity)

• Example Activities:

  • Merchandise retailing via Internet

454112 - Electronic Auctions^US

This Canadian industry comprises establishments engaged in providing sites for and facilitating consumer-to-consumer or business-to-consumer trade in new and used goods, on an auction basis, using the Internet. Establishments in this industry provide the electronic location for retail auctions, but do not take title to the goods being sold.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • facilitating business-to-business sales of new and used merchandise on an auction basis using the Internet (See 41911 Business-to-Business Electronic Markets)
  • retailing a general line of new and used merchandise on an auction basis from physical auction sites or a combination of Internet auction and auction house sales in the same establishment (See 453999 All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Beer and Wine-Making Supplies Stores))

• Example Activities:

  • Auction, Internet retailing

454113 - Mail-Order Houses^US

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing all types of merchandise using catalogues or television to display their merchandise and reach their clients. Included in this industry are establishments primarily engaged in retailing from catalogue showrooms of mail-order houses as well as establishments providing a combination of Internet and mail-order sales.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • call centres providing telemarketing services for others (See 56142 Telephone Call Centres)
  • retailing merchandise using store and non-store methods at the same establishment (classified to the store portion of the activity)

• Example Activities:

  • Book club, mail order
  • Catalog (order taking) offices of mail order houses, retail
  • Combined Internet and mail order sales
  • Computer and peripheral equipment, mail order, retail
  • Direct mail marketing operators, retail
  • Magazines, mail order, retail
  • Mail order houses, retail
  • Mail order offices of department stores, retail
  • Order taking offices of mail order houses, retail
  • Record clubs, mail order, retail
  • Television, mail order (home shopping), retail