NAICS 444140 Quarterly Industry Report
Hardware Retailers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 444140Sector: 44Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 444140 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and Small Business Administration[5] to profile the hardware retail sector. Our research team analyzes independent store economics, cooperative buying group dynamics, and competitive positioning against home center chains to provide accurate market intelligence for business valuation purposes. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and product mix considerations specific to general-line hardware retailing. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 444140 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and industry developments.
Industry Definition & Overview
Hardware Retailers (NAICS 444140) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of new hardware items, including hand and power tools, builders' hardware, locks, keys, hinges, fasteners, and related products. These stores stock broad assortments of hardware merchandise that serve both do-it-yourself homeowners and professional contractors. Product lines typically span plumbing supplies, electrical fittings, garden hand tools, paint sundries, and seasonal items, though stores in this classification carry narrower inventories than full-service home centers classified under NAICS 444110.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau[4], roughly 13,405 establishments operate under this classification. Independent hardware stores compete against large home center chains by offering localized product selection, knowledgeable staff, and convenient neighborhood locations. Many operate as members of cooperative buying groups such as Ace Hardware, True Value, or Do it Best, which provide centralized purchasing power, private-label products, and national advertising support while preserving independent ownership. Cooperative membership allows small operators to match pricing on high-volume items.
The SBA[5] sets the size standard at $16.5 million in average annual receipts for this industry. Revenue per store varies widely based on location, square footage, and cooperative affiliation. Stores in rural communities often serve as the primary source for building supplies and household repair items, while urban locations compete more directly with big-box retailers. Seasonal demand for lawn and garden supplies, snow removal products, and holiday items creates inventory management challenges that independent operators handle through cooperative distribution networks.
What's Included in This Industry
- Retail sale of hand tools and power tools
- Retail sale of builders' hardware including hinges and locks
- Retail sale of fasteners, screws, nails, and bolts
- Retail sale of plumbing supplies and fittings
- Retail sale of electrical supplies and wiring accessories
- Retail sale of keys, key cutting, and locksmith supplies
- Retail sale of paint sundries and applicators
- Retail sale of garden hand tools and accessories
- General line hardware store operations
- Cooperative-affiliated independent hardware retailing
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers | 444 |
| Industry Group | Building Material and Supplies Dealers | 4441 |
| NAICS Industry | Hardware Retailers | 44414 |
| National Industry | Hardware Retailers | 444140 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 444110 | Home Centers | Operates home centers retailing broad lines of home improvement materials and supplies, carrying wider product assortments than hardware-focused stores |
| 444120 | Paint and Wallpaper Retailers | Retails paint, wallpaper, and decorating supplies as a specialty store, overlapping with hardware store paint sundry departments |
| 444180 | Other Building Material Dealers | Retails specialized building materials such as lumber, glass, and plumbing fixtures, distinguished from general-line hardware by product specialization |
| 444230 | Outdoor Power Equipment Retailers | Retails outdoor power equipment including lawn mowers and chainsaws, products also stocked by some hardware retailers as secondary lines |
| 444240 | Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers | Retails nursery, garden center, and farm supply products, sharing seasonal garden tool and supply overlap with hardware store inventories |
| 459510 | Used Merchandise Retailers | Retails used merchandise including secondhand tools and hardware items, distinguished from this code which covers new hardware products exclusively |
SBA Lending Summary
1,056
Total SBA Loans
$828.8M
Total Loan Volume
$785K
Average Loan Size
12 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.59%
Average Interest Rate
13,328
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: The SBA[5] classifies NAICS 444140 under hardware retailers with a size standard of $16.5 million in average annual receipts. Businesses at or below this revenue threshold qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Hardware retailers can access SBA 7(a) loans[7] for inventory purchases, store improvements, and working capital needs. Firms purchasing retail or warehouse properties may qualify for 504 loans[8]. Cooperative buying group membership fees and technology upgrades for point-of-sale systems represent common financing purposes for hardware retailers seeking SBA-backed capital.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking Company | 240 | $366.1M | $1.5M |
| 2 | Northeast Bank | 104 | $41.7M | $401K |
| 3 | Enterprise Bank & Trust | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 4 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 8 | $37.6M | $4.7M |
| 5 | National Cooperative Bank, National Association | 8 | $34.8M | $4.3M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 444140?
NAICS 444140 covers retailers selling a general line of new hardware items including hand tools, power tools, builders' hardware, fasteners, plumbing supplies, and electrical fittings. This includes independent hardware stores and cooperative-affiliated retailers. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[4]
How is NAICS 444140 structured?
The industry includes independent owner-operated stores, cooperative members affiliated with groups like Ace Hardware or True Value, and regional chain operators. Many stores serve dual customer bases of homeowners and professional contractors from relatively small retail footprints.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 444140?
The SBA sets the size standard at $16.5 million in average annual receipts for hardware retailers. Businesses at or below this revenue level qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Source: SBA Size Standards[5]
What NAICS codes are related to hardware retailers?
Related retail codes include 444110 (home centers), 444120 (paint and wallpaper), 444180 (other building materials), 444230 (outdoor power equipment), and 444240 (nursery and garden centers). Source: Census NAICS[4]
What industries are related to hardware retailing?
Key supplier industries include 332510 (hardware manufacturing) and 332999 (miscellaneous fabricated metal products). Customer industries include 238990 (specialty trade contractors) and 561730 (landscaping services). Source: Census NAICS[4]
What activities are included in NAICS 444140?
Activities include retailing hand tools, power tools, builders' hardware, fasteners, plumbing supplies, electrical fittings, keys and locksmith supplies, paint sundries, and garden hand tools. Key cutting and general hardware store operations are also included.
Can hardware retailers get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 444140 can access SBA 7(a) loans for inventory, store improvements, and working capital. Firms purchasing retail properties may qualify for 504 loans. Cooperative membership fees and POS system upgrades are common financing purposes. Source: SBA Loan Programs[9]
Where are hardware retailers concentrated in the United States?
Hardware retailers operate across all 50 states, with concentrations following population density and housing stock patterns. Rural communities often support independent hardware stores as primary building supply sources, while suburban and urban areas feature more cooperative-affiliated stores competing with home center chains.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]SBA sba.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [8]504 loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA Loan Programs sba.gov
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