This U.S. industry comprises establishments known as department stores that have separate departments for various merchandise lines, such as apparel, jewelry, home furnishings, and linens, each with separate cash registers and sales associates. Department stores in this industry generally do not have central customer checkout and cash register facilities.

Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

Retailing apparel without a significant amount of housewares or general merchandise--are classified in Subsector 448, Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores;

Retailing a wide variety of general merchandise in department stores with central customer checkout and cash register facilities--are classified in U.S. Industry 452112, Discount Department Stores; and

Retailing a wide variety of general merchandise in combination with a general line of perishable groceries, such as fresh meat, vegetables, and dairy products--are classified in Industry 452910, Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters.

For the 2007 Economic Census and the 2007 Survey of Business Owners, total sales exclude the sales from leased departments owned by another company and operating within the department store.