Analysis
NAICS 4243 is the 2022 industry group for apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers, part of 424 (Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods). Census lists 96 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 13,318 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 172,343 people at an average annual payroll of $75,316 per employee (62nd percentile of national industries). 62% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 11% and employment fell 13%. 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.
Across its national industries Census lists 96 index entries; typical ones are apparel trimmings merchant wholesalers, athletic footwear (except specialty athletic footwear)… and accessories, clothing, men's and boy's, merchant wholesalers.
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 42431 (Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods Merchant Wholesalers) with 2,844.
Its more detailed codes are 42431 Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods Merchant Wholesalers (2,844 establishments), 42434 Footwear Merchant Wholesalers (1,153 establishments) and 42435 Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers.
Official definition
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of piece goods, notions, and other dry goods; footwear; and clothing and clothing accessories.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (96)
- Apparel trimmings merchant wholesalers
- Athletic footwear (except specialty athletic footwear) merchant wholesalers
- Accessories, clothing, men's and boy's, merchant wholesalers