Analysis
NAICS 45521 is the 2022 NAICS industry for warehouse clubs, supercenters, and other general merchandise retailers, part of 4552 (Warehouse Clubs, Supercenters, and Other General Merchandise Retailers). Census lists 16 example activities under it in the official index.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 56199, 44511, 44133 and 45511. 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.
Across its national industries Census lists 16 index entries; typical ones are internet supercenter sites and auctions, general merchandise (new and used), Internet….
For example, auctioning on the location of others as independent auctioneers are classified in 56199 (All Other Support Services) 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 primarily engaged in retailing new general merchandise (except department stores). These establishments retail a general line of new merchandise, such as apparel, automotive parts, dry goods, hardware, groceries, housewares, and home furnishings, with no one merchandise line predominating. Establishments generally known as warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters, and retailing a general line of merchandise in combination with a significant amount and variety of perishable groceries, are included in this industry. This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of new and used merchandise on an auction basis.
Illustrative Examples:
Dollar stores General merchandise (new and used) auction houses General merchandise showrooms General merchandise trading posts General stores Home and auto supply stores Superstores (i.e., food and general merchandise) Variety stores Warehouse clubs (i.e., food and general merchandise)
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Auctioning on the location of others as independent auctioneers | 56199 All Other Support Services |
| Retailing a general line of groceries, such as supermarkets and grocery stores | 44511 Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) |
| Retailing automotive parts | 44133 Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers |
| Retailing a general line of new merchandise, generally known as department stores | 45511 Department Stores |
| Retailing farm supplies | 44424 Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers |
| Retailing a general line of new home repair and improvement materials and supplies, generally known as home centers | 44411 Home Centers |
| Retailing used merchandise, including by auction | 45951 Used Merchandise Retailers |
| Providing warehousing services for goods owned by others | 4931 Warehousing and Storage |
Index entries (16)
- Internet supercenter sites
- Auctions, general merchandise (new and used), Internet retail