Industries in the General Merchandise Stores subsector retail new general merchandise from fixed point-of-sale locations. Establishments in this subsector are unique in that they have the equipment and staff capable of retailing a large variety of goods from a single location. This includes a variety of display equipment and staff trained to provide information on many lines of products.
45211 Department Stores
This industry comprises establishments known as department stores primarily engaged in retailing
a wide range of the following new products with no one merchandise line predominating: apparel,
furniture, appliances and home furnishings; and selected additional items, such as paint,
hardware, toiletries, cosmetics, photographic equipment, jewelry, toys, and sporting goods.
Merchandise lines are normally arranged in separate departments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Retailing packaged grocery items in combination with general lines of merchandise with no one merchandise line predominating - classified in Industry 45291, Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters;
- Retailing apparel without a significant amount of housewares or general merchandise - classified in Subsector 448, Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores;
- Retailing general lines of merchandise via electronic home shopping, mail-order, or direct sale - classified in Subsector 454, Nonstore Retailers; and
- Retailing used merchandise - classified in Industry 45331, Used Merchandise Stores.
452111 Department Stores (except Discount Department Stores)
This U.S. industry comprises establishments known as department stores that have separate
departments for various merchandise lines, such as apparel, jewelry, home furnishings, and
linens, each with separate cash registers and sales associates. Department stores in this
industry generally do not have central customer checkout and cash register facilities.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Retailing apparel without a significant amount of housewares or general merchandise - classified in Subsector 448, Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores;
- Retailing a wide variety of general merchandise in department stores with central customer checkout and cash register facilities - classified in U.S. Industry 452112, Discount Department Stores; and
- Retailing a wide variety of general merchandise in combination with a general line of perishable groceries, such as fresh meat, vegetable, and dairy products - classified in Industry 452910, Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters.
452112 Discount Department Stores
This U.S. industry comprises establishments known as department stores that have central customer
checkout areas, generally in the front of the store, and that may have additional cash registers
located in one or more individual departments. Department stores in this industry sell a wide
range of general merchandise (except fresh, perishable foods).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Retailing apparel without a significant amount of housewares or general merchandise - classified in Subsector 448, Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores;
- Retailing a wide variety of general merchandise in department stores with separate cash registers and sales associates for each department - classified in U.S. Industry 452111, Department Stores (except Discount Department Stores); and
- Retailing a wide variety of general merchandise in combination with a general line of perishable groceries, such as fresh meat, vegetable, and dairy products - classified in Industry 452910, Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters.
4529 Other General Merchandise Stores
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new goods in general
merchandise stores (except department stores).
45291 Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters
See industry description for 452910 below.
452910 Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters
This industry comprises establishments known as warehouse clubs, superstores or supercenters
primarily engaged in retailing a general line of groceries in combination with general lines of
new merchandise, such as apparel, furniture, and appliances.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Retailing general lines of merchandise via electronic home shopping, mail-order, or direct sale - classified in Subsector 454, Nonstore Retailers;
- Retailing a general line of food, generally known as supermarkets and grocery stores - classified in Industry 445110, Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores;
- Retailing general lines of new merchandise with little grocery item sales - classified in Industry 452990, All Other General Merchandise Stores;
- Retailing new merchandise in discount department stores - classified in U.S. Industry 452112, Discount Department Stores; and
- Retailing new merchandise in department stores other than discount department stores - classified in U.S. Industry 452111, Department Stores (except Discount Department Stores); and
- Retailing used merchandise - classified in Industry 453310, Used Merchandise Stores.
45299 All Other General Merchandise Stores
See industry description for 452990 below.
452990 All Other General Merchandise Stores
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new goods in general
merchandise stores (except department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores, and supercenters).
These establishments retail a general line of new merchandise, such as apparel, automotive parts,
dry goods, hardware, groceries, housewares or home furnishings, and other lines in limited
amounts, with none of the lines predominating.
Illustrative Examples:
Dollar stores; General stores; General merchandise catalog showrooms
(except catalog mail-order); General merchandise trading posts; Home and auto supply stores;
Variety stores.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Retailing general lines of merchandise via electronic home shopping, mail-order, or direct sale - classified in Subsector 454, Nonstore Retailers;
- Retailing automotive parts - classified in Industry 441310, Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores;
- Retailing merchandise in department stores - classified in U.S. Industry 45211, Department Stores (except Discount Department Stores);
- Retailing merchandise in warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters - classified in Industry 452910, Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters;
- Retailing merchandise in catalogue showrooms of mail-order houses - classified in U.S. Industry 454113, Mail-Order Houses;
- Retailing a general line of new hardware items, known as hardware stores - classified in Industry 444130, Hardware Stores;
- Retailing a general line of new home repair and improvement materials and supplies, known as home centers - classified in Industry 444110, Home Centers; and
- Retailing used merchandise - classified in Industry 453310, Used Merchandise Stores.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
