This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of nondurable goods, such as farm supplies; books, periodicals, and newspapers; flowers, nursery stock, and florists' supplies; tobacco and tobacco products; paint, varnish, and supplies; and other miscellaneous nondurable goods.

For the 2012 and 2007 Commodity Flow Surveys, the wholesale establishments exclude any manufacturers sales offices and own brand importers.