Analysis
NAICS 423210 is the 2022 national industry for furniture merchant wholesalers, part of 42321 (Furniture Merchant Wholesalers). Census lists 18 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 5,023 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 67,517 people at an average annual payroll of $79,838 per employee (69th percentile of national industries). 52% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 12% and employment fell 6%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include antique furniture merchant wholesalers, baby furniture merchant wholesalers, beds (except hospital) merchant wholesalers and box springs merchant wholesalers, among 18 in all.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 423440, 423450 and 423490. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, merchant wholesale distribution of partitions, shelving, lockers, and store fixtures are classified in 423440 (Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of furniture (except hospital beds, medical furniture, and drafting tables).
Illustrative Examples:
Household-type furniture merchant wholesalers Outdoor furniture merchant wholesalers Mattresses merchant wholesalers Public building furniture merchant wholesalers Office furniture merchant wholesalers Religious furniture merchant wholesalers
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Merchant wholesale distribution of partitions, shelving, lockers, and store fixtures | 423440 Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of hospital beds and medical furniture | 423450 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of drafting tables | 423490 Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
Index entries (18)
- Antique furniture merchant wholesalers
- Baby furniture merchant wholesalers
- Beds (except hospital) merchant wholesalers
- Box springs merchant wholesalers
- Cabinets, kitchen, freestanding, merchant wholesalers
- Furniture (except drafting tables, hospital beds, medical furniture) merchant wholesalers
- Furniture parts merchant wholesalers
- Hotel furniture merchant wholesalers
- Household-type furniture merchant wholesalers
- Mattresses merchant wholesalers
- Office furniture merchant wholesalers
- Outdoor furniture merchant wholesalers
- Public building furniture merchant wholesalers
- Religious furniture merchant wholesalers
- Restaurant furniture merchant wholesalers
- School furniture merchant wholesalers
- Store furniture merchant wholesalers
- Theater seats merchant wholesalers