Analysis
NAICS 455110 is the 2022 national industry for department stores, part of 45511 (Department Stores). Census lists 2 example activities under it in the official index.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include department stores and internet department store sites.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 458110, 455211, 455219 and 459510. 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, retailing apparel without a significant amount of housewares or general merchandise are classified in 458110 (Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers) instead.
County Business Patterns publishes no national count for it, either because the code is out of the survey's scope or because the figures are suppressed to protect individual businesses.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments generally known as department stores that have separate departments for general lines of new merchandise, such as apparel, jewelry, home furnishings, and toys, with no one merchandise line predominating. Department stores may sell perishable groceries, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, but such sales are insignificant. Department stores with fixed point-of-sale locations may have separate customer checkout areas in each department, central customer checkout areas, or both.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Retailing apparel without a significant amount of housewares or general merchandise | 458110 Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers |
| Retailing a general line of merchandise in combination with a significant amount and variety of perishable groceries, generally known as warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters | 455211 Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
| Retailing a general line of merchandise and not generally known as department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters | 455219 All Other General Merchandise Retailers |
| Retailing used merchandise | 459510 Used Merchandise Retailers |
Index entries (2)
- Department stores
- Internet department store sites