PPI introduces industries to complete coverage of the retail trade sector

PPI Detailed Report, Jan, 2004

NAICS 451, Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores

Industries in the Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores subsector are engaged in retailing and providing expertise on the use of sporting equipment or other products used for specific leisure activities. Four industries within this subsector were previously introduced into the PPI in June 2000--NAICS 4511 I0, Sporting Goods Stores; NAICS 451120, Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores; NAICS 451130, Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Stores; and NAICS 451211, Book Stores. One additional industry was introduced into the PPI in January 2004, with historical data back to June 2003: NAICS 451220, Prerecorded Tape, Compact Disc, and Record Stores. This industry comprises establishments that retail new prerecorded audio and video tapes, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), and phonograph records. For further information relating to NAICS 451220, contact Cliff Baker at baker.clifton@bls.gov or (202) 691-7880.

NAICS 452, General Merchandise Stores

A large part of the retail trade sector is accounted for by General Merchandise Stores, industry subsector 452. These stores retail new general merchandise from fixed point-of-sale locations. Subsector 452 comprises the following NAICS industries: 452111, Department Stores (except Discount Department Stores); 452112, Discount Department Stores; and 452900, Other General Merchandise Stores. Establishments in subsector 452 are unique in that they maintain a wide variety of display equipment and trained staff capable of retailing a large assortment of goods from a single location. Seasonal and fashion merchandise make up a major part of merchandise sold in the NAICS 452 subsector, but, despite seasonal and fashion shifts, the services associated with NAICS 452 generally do not change.

NAICS 452111 includes 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.

Establishments in NAICS 452112, Discount Department Stores, also are commonly referred to as department stores. However, these establishments usually have central customer checkout areas, generally in the front of the store, although they 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).

NAICS 452900, Other General Merchandise Stores, includes establishments such as warehouse clubs and supercenters that typically are engaged in retailing a general line of groceries in combination with general lines of new merchandise, such as apparel, furniture, and appliances. This industry also includes variety-type stores that retail a general line of new merchandise in limited amounts, with none of the lines predominating. For further information pertaining to NAICS 452, contact Olga Berman at berman.olga@bls.gov or (202) 691-7878.