North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2007 - Labour Force Survey

8.2 - Service-Producing Industries

This special aggregation comprises establishments coded to 'Wholesale Trade' (NAICS 41), 'Retail Trade' (NAICS 44-45), 'Transportation and storage' (NAICS 48-49), 'Information and Cultural Industries' (NAICS 51), 'Finance and Insurance' (NAICS 52), 'Real Estate and Rental and Leasing' (NAICS 53), 'Professional, Scientific and Technical Services' (NAICS 54), 'Management of Companies and Enterprises' (NAICS 55), 'Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services' (NAICS 56), 'Educational Services' (NAICS 61), 'Health Care and Social Assistance' (NAICS 62), 'Arts, Entertainment and Recreation' (NAICS 71), 'Accommodation and Food Services' (NAICS 72), 'Other Services (except Public Administration)' (NAICS 81) and to 'Public Administration (NAICS 91)

8.2.1 - Trade

This special aggregation comprises establishments coded to 'Wholesale Trade' (NAICS 41) and to 'Retail Trade' (NAICS 44-45)

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.

452 - General Merchandise Stores^US

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of merchandise that may, or may not, include a general line of grocery items.

• Exclusion(s):

  Establishments primarily engaged in:

  • retailing a general line of building and home improvement materials (See 44411 Home Centres)
  • retailing a general line of grocery items (See 44511 Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores)
  • retailing a general line of used goods (See 45331 Used Merchandise Stores)
  • retailing a general line of goods by means of electronic shopping, mail-order, or direct sale (See 454 Non-Store Retailers)

4521 - Department Stores

This industry group comprises establishments, known as department stores, primarily engaged in retailing a wide range of products, with each merchandise line constituting a separate department within the store. Selected departments may be operated by separate establishments, on a concession basis.

45211 - Department Stores^US

This industry comprises establishments, known as department stores, primarily engaged in retailing a wide range of products, with each merchandise line constituting a separate department within the store. Selected departments may be operated by separate establishments, on a concession basis.

• Exclusion(s):

  • warehouse-style stores engaged in retailing a general line of grocery items in combination with a general line of non-grocery items (See 45291 Warehouse Clubs and Superstores)