Analysis
NAICS 459140 is the 2022 national industry for musical instrument and supplies retailers, part of 45914 (Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers). Census lists 4 example activities under it in the official index.
Census lists 6 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 449210, 516210, 459510 and 811490. 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 music stores (i.e., instrument), musical instrument stores, piano stores and sheet music stores.
For example, retailing new musical recordings, including downloadable music (without publishing) are classified in 449210 (Electronics and Appliance 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 primarily engaged in retailing new musical instruments, sheet music, and related supplies; or retailing these new products in combination with musical instrument repair, rental, or music instruction.
Illustrative Examples:
Musical instrument retailers Sheet music retailers Piano retailers
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Retailing new musical recordings, including downloadable music (without publishing) | 449210 Electronics and Appliance Retailers |
| Streaming music without publishing | 516210 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers |
| Retailing used musical instruments (including used rare musical instruments), sheet music, and related supplies | 459510 Used Merchandise Retailers |
| Repairing musical instruments without retailing new instruments | 811490 Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance |
| Renting musical instruments without retailing new instruments | 532289 All Other Consumer Goods Rental |
| Providing musical instruction without retailing new instruments | 611610 Fine Arts Schools |
Index entries (4)
- Music stores (i.e., instrument)
- Musical instrument stores
- Piano stores
- Sheet music stores