SIC 5999 Miscellaneous Retail Stores, Not Elsewhere Classified

SIC 5999

This category includes establishments primarily engaged in the retail trade of specialized lines of merchandise that are not included elsewhere, including art and architecture supplies; autographs, sets of coins, and related supplies; finished monuments and gravestones; cake decorating supplies; baby carriages; cosmetics; awnings and banners; candles; fireworks; rough gemstones and rock and stone specimens; home swimming pools (not installed); hearing aids; and trophy shops. It also includes ice dealers; hot tub and whirlpool bath dealers; orthopedic and artificial limbs stores; pet shops; rubber stamps stores; art dealers; auction rooms; typewriter stores; religious goods (other than books); telephone stores; and tent shops.

NAICS CODE(S)

446120

Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Stores

446199

All Other Health and Personal Care Stores

453910

Pet and Pet Supplies Stores

453920

Art Dealers

443111

Household Appliance Stores

443112

Radio, Television and Other Electronics Stores

448310

Jewelry Stores

453998

All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores)

The industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in selling a general line of their own or consigned merchandise at retail on an auction basis. Establishments primarily engaged in auctioning tangible personal property of others on a contract or fee basis are classified in SIC 7389: Business Services, Not Elsewhere Classified.

As part of the more than $3.4 trillion retailing business in the United States, these businesses are wide-ranging in size of operation and revenue generated. While many of the enterprises in this category can be classified as small business, their impact on the U.S. economy is substantial, accounting for as much as 30 percent of the gross domestic product. These businesses sell everything from light bulbs to sunscreen to mailing supplies to cat toys. The products are not always glamorous, but for many, they are necessities. In 2003, retailers in the miscellaneous store retailing industry, of which many of the businesses in this industry are a part, sales totaled $104.9 billion.

Depending on the segment of retailing being examined, the profit margin for these businesses hovers around 2 percent nationwide. In the early 2000s, some enterprises in this classification, such as typewriter stores and ice dealers, no longer enjoyed the same prominence or level of enterprise that they did 30 or more...