Analysis
NAICS 455211 is the 2022 national industry for warehouse clubs and supercenters, part of 45521 (Warehouse Clubs, Supercenters, and Other General Merchandise Retailers). Census lists 5 example activities under it in the official index.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 445110, 455110, 455219 and 444110. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include internet supercenter sites, internet warehouse club sites, supercenters and superstores (i.e., food and general merchandise), among 5 in all.
For example, retailing a general line of groceries, such as supermarkets and grocery stores are classified in 445110 (Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience 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 U.S. industry comprises establishments generally known as warehouse clubs, superstores, or supercenters, primarily engaged in retailing a general line of groceries, including a significant amount and variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and other perishable groceries, in combination with a general line of new merchandise, such as apparel, furniture, and appliances.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Retailing a general line of groceries, such as supermarkets and grocery stores | 445110 Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) |
| Retailing a general line of new merchandise, generally known as department stores | 455110 Department Stores |
| Retailing a general line of new merchandise, except department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores, and supercenters | 455219 All Other General Merchandise Retailers |
| Retailing a general line of new home repair and improvement materials and supplies, generally known as home centers | 444110 Home Centers |
| Retailing used merchandise | 459510 Used Merchandise Retailers |
Index entries (5)
- Internet supercenter sites
- Internet warehouse club sites
- Supercenters
- Superstores (i.e., food and general merchandise)
- Warehouse clubs (i.e., food and general merchandise)