Variant of NAICS 1997 - 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.

444 - Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing a specialized or general line of building and home improvement materials, lawn and garden equipment and supplies, outdoor power equipment, and nursery and garden products.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • retailing used building and home improvement materials, and lawn, garden and outdoor power equipment (See 45331 Used Merchandise Stores)
  • retailing building and home improvement materials, and lawn, garden and outdoor power equipment by means of electronic shopping, mail-order or direct sale (See 454 Non-Store Retailers)

4441 - Building Material and Supplies Dealers

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing building materials, hardware, paint, wallpaper and related supplies.

• Example Activities:

  • Building materials dealers, retail

44419 - Other Building Material Dealers

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing specialized lines of building materials. These establishments may provide installation services in addition to retailing.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • retailing a general line of home repair and improvement materials and supplies (See 44411 Home Centres)
  • paint and wallpaper retailing (See 44412 Paint and Wallpaper Stores)
  • retailing a general line of hardware items (See 44413 Hardware Stores)

444190 - Other Building Material Dealers

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing specialized lines of building materials. These establishments may provide installation services in addition to retailing.

• Example Activities:

  • Aluminum doors and screens, retail
  • Brick and tile dealers, retail
  • Cabinets, kitchen (to be installed), retail
  • Concrete and cinder block dealers, retail
  • Electrical supplies stores selling primarily to other business but also selling to household consumers
  • Electrical supplies, retail
  • Fencing dealers, retail
  • Garage doors, retail (wood)
  • Glass stores, retail
  • Lumber and planing mill product dealers, retail
  • Plumbing supplies stores selling primarily to other businesses but also selling to household consumers
  • Plumbing supplies, retail
  • Prefabricated house and building dealers, retail
  • Retailers of ceramic floor and wall tiles
  • Roofing material dealers, retail
  • Sales of aluminum doors and installation
  • Tile and brick dealers, retail