This sector is composed of establishments organized to sell merchandise in small quantities to the general public. The two main types of retailers are store and nonstore. Stores are located and designed to attract large volumes of customers through extensive merchandise displays and mass-media advertisement. Customers include businesses and institutional clients as well as the general public. Office supply stores, building materials dealers, plumbing and electrical supply stores, gasoline service stations, automotive dealers, and mobile home dealers are all classified as store retailers. Stores that provide after-sales services such as repair and installation are generally considered retail. Non-store retailers also serve the general public through "infomercials", mail-order catalogs, door-to-door solicitation, in-home demonstration, portable carts, and vending machines.

Ninety-five percent of the Rhode Island employment classified in the Retail Trade sector was previously classified in the Retail Trade division under SIC. A small portion of the sector employment is from the Wholesale Trade (2%) division. Restaurants are no longer classified in Retail Trade under NAICS but in the new Accommodation and Food Services sector.

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Labor Market Information
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920-4407
Sandra M. Powell, Director

Phone: (401) 462-8740
Fax: (401) 462-8766
TDD: (401) 462-8006
E-mail LMI