North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2017 Version 3.0

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44-45 - Retail trade

This 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, 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 businesses and institutions. 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. They 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.

Non-store retailers also include establishments engaged in the home delivery of products such as home heating oil dealers and newspaper delivery companies.

442 - Furniture and home furnishings storesUS

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new furniture and home furnishings. These establishments usually operate from showrooms and many offer interior decorating services in addition to the sale of products.

  • Exclusion(s)

    • retailing furniture and home furnishings by means of electronic shopping, mail-order or direct sale (See 454 Non-store retailers)
    • retailing used furniture and home furnishings (See 453310 Used merchandise stores)

4422 - Home furnishings storesUS

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing home furnishings, such as floor coverings, window treatments, kitchen and tableware, bedding and linens, lamps and shades, bathroom accessories, and print and picture frames.

44229 - Other home furnishings stores

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in retailing new home furnishings, such as window treatments, kitchen and tableware, bedding and linens, brooms and brushes, lamps and shades, and prints and picture frames.

  • Exclusion(s)

    • providing interior decorating services, but not retailing home furnishings (See 541410 Interior design services)
    • retailing floor coverings (See 442210 Floor covering stores)
    • retailing new furniture (See 442110 Furniture stores)
442291 - Window treatment storesUS

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing ready-made and custom draperies, blinds and shades.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • vertical blinds, retail
    • window treatment stores (e.g., curtains, draperies), retail

    All examples

442292 - Print and picture frame storesCAN

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing posters, prints and ready-made frames, and in custom framing, mounting and laminating.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • custom framing, mounting, and laminating pictures, retail store
    • picture frames, retail
    • posters and prints, retail

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • retailing of a limited number of original works of art
  • Exclusion(s)

    • retailing original and limited edition art works, including Aboriginal art (See 453920 Art dealers)
442298 - All other home furnishings storesCAN

This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in retailing new home furnishings.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • bedding (e.g., sheets, blankets, spreads, cushions, pillows), retail
    • china and glassware stores, retail
    • fireplace stores, retail
    • houseware stores, retail
    • lamps and lighting fixtures, electric, retail
    • linen shops, retail
    • pottery stores, retail

    All examples

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