3Retail Trade
The retail trade (44 and 45) sector comprises establishments engaged in retailing
merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to
the sale of merchandise. The retailing process is the final step in the distribution of
merchandise; retailers are, therefore, organized to sell merchandise in small quan-
tities to the general public. This sector comprises two main types of retailers: store
and nonstore retailers. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
includes the following industries under the retail trade sector:
Retail trade (44 and 45)
Motor vehicle and part dealers (441000)
Automobile dealers (441100)
Automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores (441300)
Furniture and home furnishing stores (442000)
Furniture stores (442100)
Home furnishing stores (442200)
Electronic and appliance stores (443000)
Electronic and appliance stores (443100)
Computer and software stores (443120)
Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (444000)
Building material and supplies dealers (444100)
Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores (444200)
Food and beverage stores (445000)
Retailers provide the public access to the goods and materials they need for everyday living.
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Grocery stores (445100)
Specialty food stores (445200)
Beer, wine, and liquor stores (445300)
Health and personal care stores (446000)
Health and personal care stores (446100)
Pharmacies and drug stores (446110)
Gasoline stations (447000)
Gasoline stations (447100)
Clothing and clothing accessories stores (448000)
Clothing stores (448100)
Shoe stores (448200)
Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores (448300)
Sports goods, hobby, book, musical instrument stores (451100)
Sporting goods stores (451110)
Book, periodical, and music stores (451120)
General merchandise stores (452000)
Department stores (452100)
Other general merchandise stores (452900)
Miscellaneous store retailers (453000)
Florist (453100)
Office supplies, stationery, and gift stores (453200)
Used merchandise stores (453300)
Other miscellaneous store retailers (453900)
Nonstore retailers (454000)
Electronic shopping and mail order houses (454100)
Vending machine operators (454200)
Direct selling establishments (454300)
3.1 RETAIL TRADE
Wholesale and retail trades make up a large part of the nation’s employment and
business establishments. In the economy as a whole, retail trade is about 11.6% of all
employment and 12.4% of all establishments. Retail trade employment averaged
15,254,900 in 2005.
In the retail sector, the three most representative subsectors are motor vehicle and
part dealers; clothing, accessory, and general merchandise stores; and grocery stores.
These three are used to describe the general nature and working conditions of the
retail trade sector.
3.1.1 MOTOR VEHICLE AND PART DEALERS
It is interesting to note that about half of all workers in this industry have no formal
education beyond high school. Employment is expected to grow, but will remain
sensitive to downturns in the economy. Opportunities should be plentiful in vehicle
maintenance and repair occupations, especially for persons who complete formal
automotive service technician training.
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Automobile dealers are the bridge between automobile manufacturers and the
U.S. consumers. New car dealers are primarily engaged in retailing new cars, sport
utility vehicles (SUVs), and passenger and cargo vans. New car dealers employ 9 out
of 10 workers in the industry. Most new car dealers combine vehicle sales with other
activities, such as providing repair services, retailing used cars, and selling replace-
ment parts and accessories. These dealers offer one-stop shopping for customers who
wish to buy, finance, and service their next vehicle. On the other hand, stand-alone
used car dealers specialize in used vehicle sales and account for only 1 out of 10 jobs
in the industry. By putting new vehicles on the road, dealers can count on aftermar-
ket additions, new repair and service customers, and future trade-ins of used vehicles
(Figure 3.1).
The aftermarket sales department in a new car dealer sells additional services and
merchandise after the vehicle salesperson has closed a deal. Aftermarket sales
workers sell service contracts and insurance to buyers of new and used cars and
arrange financing for their purchases. Representatives offer extended warranties and
additional services, such as undercoat sealant and environmental paint protection
packages, to increase the revenue generated for each vehicle sold.
3.1.2 CLOTHING,ACCESSORY,AND GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES
Clothing, accessory, and general merchandise stores are represented by sales and
administrative support jobs that account for 83% of employment in this subsector.
Most jobs do not require formal education; many people get their first jobs in this
industry. Clothing, accessory, and general merchandise stores offer many part-time
FIGURE 3.1 A typical automotive dealership.
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jobs, but earnings are relatively low. Despite relatively slow employment growth,
turnover will produce numerous job openings in this large industry.
Clothing, accessory, and general merchandise stores are some of the most visited
establishments in the country. Whether shopping for an item of clothing, a piece of
jewelry, a household appliance, or even food, you will likely go to one of these stores
to make your purchase or compare selections with other retail outlets. Composed of
department stores (including discount department stores), supercenters, and ware-
house club stores, general merchandise stores in particular sell a large assortment of
items. Also included among general merchandise stores are dollar stores that sell a
wide variety of inexpensive merchandise.
Department stores sell an extensive selection of merchandise, with no one line
predominating. As the name suggests, these stores generally are arranged into
departments, each headed by a manager. The various departments can sell apparel,
furniture, appliances, home furnishings, cosmetics, jewelry, paint and hardware,
electronics, and sporting goods. They also may sell services such as optical, photo-
graphy, and pharmacy services. Discount department stores typically have fewer
sales workers, relying more on self-service features, and have centrally located
cashiers. Department stores that sell bulk items, like major appliances, usually
provide delivery and installation services. Upscale department stores may offer
tailoring for their clothing lines and more personal service.
Warehouse club stores and supercenters, the fastest growing segment of this
industry, sell an even more eclectic mix of products and services, in fixed quantities
and at low prices. These stores typically include an assortment of food items, often
sold in bulk, along with an array of household and automotive goods, clothing, and
services that may vary over time. Often, such stores require that shoppers purchase a
membership that entitles them to shop there. They offer very little service and usually
require the customer to take home the item.
Compared with department stores, clothing and accessory stores sell a much
narrower group of items that include apparel for all members of the family, as well
as shoes, luggage, leather goods, lingerie, jewelry, uniforms, and bridal gowns. Stores
in this sector may sell a relatively broad range of these items or concentrate on a few.
They often are staffed with knowledgeable salespersons who can help in the selection
of sizes, styles, and accessories. Many of these stores are located in shopping malls
across the country and have significantly fewer workers than department stores.
3.1.3 GROCERY STORES
Grocery stores have numerous job openings, many of them part time and relatively
low paying, and are usually available because of the industry’s large size and high
turnovers. Many grocery store workers are young (16–24 years) and hold 32% of the
jobs. Cashier, stock clerks, and order fillers account for 49% of all jobs. College
graduates fill most new management positions.
Grocery stores, also known as supermarkets, are familiar to everyone. They sell an
array of fresh and preserved foods, primarily for preparation and consumption at home.
They also often sell prepared food, such as hot entrées or salads, for takeout meals.
Stores range in size from supercenters—which may employ hundreds of workers,
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provide a variety of consumer services, and sell numerous food and nonfood items—to
traditional supermarkets to convenience stores with small staffs and limited selections.
Convenience stores, however, also often sell fuel, including gasoline, diesel,
kerosene, and propane. Recently, many convenience stores have expanded their
scope of services by providing ATMs, money orders, and a more comprehensive
selection of products, including food for immediate consumption and an assortment
of nonfood items.
Specialty grocery stores—meat and fish markets; fruit and vegetables markets;
candy, nut, and confectionery stores; dairy products stores; retail bakeries; and health
and dietetic food stores, for example—are not covered in this section. Food services
and drinking places that sell food and beverages for consumption on the premises are
also excluded.
Grocery stores are found everywhere, although the size of the establishment and
the range of goods and services offered vary. Traditionally, inner-city stores are
small and offer a limited selection, although larger stores, including specialty grocers
and a few supercenters, are now being built in many urban areas; suburban stores are
predominantly large supermarkets and supercenters with a more diverse stock. Most
supermarkets include several specialty departments that offer the products and
services of seafood stores, bakeries, delicatessens, pharmacies, or florist shops.
Household goods, health and beauty care items, automotive supplies, pet products,
greeting cards, and clothing also are among the nonfood items that can be found at
large supermarkets. Some of the largest supermarkets, including wholesale clubs,
even have cafeterias or food courts, and a few feature convenience stores, automotive
services, and full-service banks. In addition, most grocery stores offer basic banking
services and ATMs, postal services, on-site film processing, dry cleaning, video
rentals, and catering services.
Working conditions in most grocery stores are pleasant, with clean, well-lighted,
climate-controlled surroundings. Work can be hectic, and dealing with customers
can be stressful.
Grocery stores are open more hours and days than most work establishments, so
workers are needed for early morning, late night, weekend, and holiday work. With
employees working 30.8 h a week, on average, these jobs are particularly attractive
to workers who have family or school responsibilities or another job.
Most grocery store workers wear some sort of uniform, such as a jacket or an apron
that identifies them as store employees and keep their personal clothing clean. Health
and safety regulations require some workers, such as those who work in the delica-
tessen or meat department, to wear head coverings, safety glasses, or gloves.
3.2 PROFILE OF RETAIL WORKERS’DEATHS, INJURIES,
AND ILLNESSES
3.2.1 DEATHS
There were 397 occupationally related deaths to retail workers in 2005. The retail
sector accounted for 15% of the service industry deaths (2736). Table 3.1 shows the
percent of those deaths from each major category.
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