Industry Codes: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
At the start of your research, it may not be clear what specific industry you should be examining. A good strategy is to find out if your business idea is classified in an industrial classification system. These systems organize industries by assigning them a numeric code. The most commonly used system is the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Once you know your Industry Classification Code you can use this number to:
- Find industry-specific statistics on government websites or in library databases
- Generate lists of competitors in company directories
Another common classification system is the Standard Industry Code (SIC). NAICS have mostly replaced the SIC, but the SIC is still used by some commercial databases. Finding and using these classification systems to effectively search can be tricky, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help.
Start With These Suggestions
|
Type |
Code |
Description |
|
NAICS |
445 - Food and beverage stores |
Includes establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general or specialized line of food or beverage products. |
|
NAICS |
4453 - Beer, wine, and liquor stores |
Includes establishments primarily engaged in retailing packaged alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine and liquor. |
|
NAICS |
44531 - Beer, wine and liquor stores |
Includes establishments primarily engaged in retailing packaged alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine and liquor. |
|
NAICS |
445310 - Beer, wine, and liquor stores |
Includes Canadian establishments primarily engaged in retailing packaged alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine and liquor. |
|
NAICS |
453992 - Beer and wine-making supplies stores |
Includes Canadian establishments primarily engaged in retailing beer and wine-making supplies and equipment. |
|
NAICS |
31213 - Wineries |
Includes establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing wine or brandy, from grapes or other fruit. Establishments primarily engaged in growing grapes and manufacturing wine; manufacturing wine from purchased grapes and other fruit; blending wines; or distilling brandy are included. |
|
NAICS |
312130 - Wineries |
Includes Canadian establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing wine or brandy, from grapes or other fruit. |
|
NAICS |
413220 - Alcoholic beverage merchant wholesalers |
Includes Canadian establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling alcoholic beverages. |
|
NAICS |
722410 - Drinking places (alcoholic beverages) |
Includes Canadian establishments, known as bars, taverns or drinking places, primarily engaged in preparing and serving alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption. |
Search or browse all NAICS or SIC codes on the NAICS Association website. Some NAICS codes are different in Canada — you can search by keyword or browse Canadian NAICS codes at Statistics Canada or Canadian Industry Statistics. To search for a SIC code using a NAICS code and vice versa, use the NAICS & SIC Crosswalks.
For more information about planning your industry research, including identifying your industry codes, check out the video tutorial for Module 3: Planning Your Industry Research.