PPI introduces industries to complete coverage of the retail trade sector

PPI Detailed Report, Jan, 2004

NAICS 444220 comprises establishments that retail nursery and garden products, such as trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, bulbs, and sod that are predominantly grown elsewhere. Any items that are grown or produced on the premises are tracked using retail selling prices, not margin prices, and are classified as other receipts, rather than primary services. For further information pertaining to NAICS 444, contact Sean Taylor at taylor.sean@bls.gov or (202) 691-7877.

NAICS 448, Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores

NAICS subsector 448 includes establishments that retail new clothing and clothing accessories merchandise from fixed point-of-sale locations. Two industries within NAICS 448--jewelry stores and luggage stores--have been in publication since June 2000, and four additional NAICS industries entered publication with the release of data for January 2004. NAICS 448110, Men's Clothing Stores, includes establishments that retail a general line of new men's and boys' clothing. NAICS 448120, Women's Clothing Stores, comprises establishments that retail a general line of new women's, misses', and juniors' clothing, including maternity wear. NAICS 448140, Family Clothing Stores, includes establishments that retail a general line of new clothing for men, women, and children, without specializing in sales for an individual gender or age group. NAICS 448210, Shoe Stores, comprises establishments that retail all types of new footwear (except hosiery and specialty sports footwear, such as golf shoes, bowling shoes, and spiked shoes). Establishments that retail new tennis shoes or sneakers are included in NAICS 448210. PPI data for the men's clothing stores industry and the shoe stores industry include historical information back to June 2002, while those for the industries for women's clothing stores and for family clothing stores include data back to June 2003.

Establishments in this subsector have similar display equipment and maintain staff that is generally knowledgeable regarding fashion trends and the proper match of styles, colors, and combinations of clothing and accessories to the characteristics and tastes of the customer.

Seasonal and fashion merchandise make up a substantial part of all merchandise sold in industry subsector 448. Apparel and footwear are very seasonal. Apparel can go through a 3- to 6-month cycle in which different items can come in and out of season at different times. Each season offers a different selection of clothing for the consumer. Like seasonality, fashion can play an important role in these industries, because the majority of the products that are being sold in this industry are clothing. Clothes that are in fashion this month may go out of style in 3 or 4 months, of it may take several years before certain clothes go out of fashion. Despite seasonal and fashion shifts, the services associated with NAICS 448 generally do not change.

Establishments in this subsector may provide basic alterations, such as hemming, taking in or letting out seams, or lengthening of shortening sleeves. The incidental lees for these services, separable from the sale of the good, are considered primary activities for industries in this subsector. For further information in connection with NAICS 448, contact Olga Berman at berman.olga@bls.gov or (202) 691-7878.