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.

448 - Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing clothing and clothing accessories.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • retailing used clothing and clothing accessories (See 45331 Used Merchandise Stores)
  • retailing clothing and clothing accessories by means of electronic shopping, mail-order or direct sale (See 454 Non-Store Retailers)

4481 - Clothing Stores

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new, ready-to-wear clothing.

44819 - Other Clothing Stores

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in retailing specialized lines of new clothing.

448191 - Fur Stores

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing ready-to-wear or custom-made fur apparel.

• Example Activities:

  • Fur apparel made to custom order, retail
  • Fur shops, retail

448199 - All Other Clothing Stores

This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in retailing specialized lines of new clothing.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • retailing custom clothing and accessories made on the premises (See 315 Clothing Manufacturing)
  • retailing a general line of men's and boys', ready-to-wear clothing (See 448110 Men's Clothing Stores)
  • maternity wear retailing (See 448120 Women's Clothing Stores)
  • retailing a general line of children's and infants' ready-to-wear clothing (See 448130 Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores)
  • retailing ready-to-wear clothing for both genders and all age groups (See 448140 Family Clothing Stores)
  • retailing athletic uniforms (See 451110 Sporting Goods Stores)

• Example Activities:

  • Athletic clothing (except uniforms), retail
  • Beachwear, men's and boys', retail
  • Bridal shops (except custom dressmakers), retail
  • Dress shops, retail
  • Foundation garments, retail
  • Jeans stores
  • Leather (including suede) clothing stores
  • Lingerie stores, retail
  • Maternity shops, retail
  • Raincoat stores, retail
  • Riding apparel stores, retail
  • Sports apparel stores, retail
  • Swimwear stores, retail
  • Tee shirts, custom printed, retail
  • Uniforms and work clothing, retail