NAICS 445110 Quarterly Industry Report
Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 445110Sector: 44Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 445110 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and Small Business Administration[6] to profile the supermarket and grocery retail sector. Our research team analyzes store format economics, fresh department performance, and margin structures to provide accurate market intelligence for business valuation purposes. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and the competitive dynamics between conventional supermarkets, discount formats, and specialty grocers. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 445110 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and industry developments.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers, except Convenience Retailers (NAICS 445110) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in retailing a general line of food products, including canned and frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh and prepared meats, fish and poultry, dairy products, baked goods, and snack items. Delicatessen-type establishments that retail a general food line also fall within this classification. Stores range from small independent grocers and ethnic specialty markets to large-format supermarkets and warehouse clubs operating under this code.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], this classification contains one of the largest establishment counts in retail trade, reflecting the essential nature of food distribution to consumers. Supermarkets typically operate on thin net profit margins of 1 to 3 percent, relying on high sales volume and rapid inventory turnover to generate returns. Private-label product programs, loyalty card data analytics, and fresh department execution have become key differentiation strategies among competing operators. Labor represents the largest operating expense category, with stores employing cashiers, stockers, butchers, bakers, and department managers across multiple shifts.
The SBA[6] sets the size standard at $40 million in average annual receipts for this industry. Store format evolution continues to reshape the sector, with traditional supermarkets facing competition from discount grocers, natural and organic specialty formats, and online grocery delivery platforms. Fresh-format stores emphasizing produce, prepared foods, and specialty items command higher margins than conventional supermarkets focused primarily on center-store packaged goods.
What's Included in This Industry
- Supermarket and grocery store operations
- Independent grocer and neighborhood food market retailing
- Ethnic and specialty food store operations
- Delicatessen retailing of general food lines
- Natural and organic grocery retailing
- Discount grocery store operations
- Retail sale of fresh produce, meats, and dairy products
- Retail sale of frozen foods and packaged groceries
- In-store bakery and prepared food departments
- Online grocery ordering with in-store pickup or delivery
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Food and Beverage Retailers | 445 |
| Industry Group | Grocery and Convenience Retailers | 4451 |
| NAICS Industry | Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) | 44511 |
| National Industry | Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) | 445110 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 445131 | Convenience Retailers | Operates convenience retailers selling limited grocery lines including milk, bread, and snacks, distinguished from supermarkets by narrower product assortment and smaller store format |
| 445132 | Vending Machine Operators | Operates vending machine routes dispensing food, beverages, and snacks through automated equipment rather than staffed retail store locations |
| 445230 | Fruit and Vegetable Retailers | Retails fruit, vegetable, and produce items as a specialty store format, carrying deeper produce selections than typical supermarket produce departments |
| 445291 | Baked Goods Retailers | Retails baked goods through specialty bakery stores, overlapping with supermarket in-store bakery operations but operating as dedicated standalone retail locations |
| 445292 | Confectionery and Nut Retailers | Retails confectionery and nut products through specialty stores, carrying narrower product lines than the candy and snack aisles in full-service supermarkets |
| 445320 | Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers | Retails beer, wine, and liquor through package stores, operating under different licensing requirements than supermarkets with beer and wine departments |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 13.5% | 8,436 |
| 2 | California | 12.8% | 8,033 |
| 3 | Florida | 6.1% | 3,821 |
| 4 | Texas | 5.8% | 3,657 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 4.1% | 2,570 |
| 6 | Illinois | 4.0% | 2,478 |
| 7 | New Jersey | 3.9% | 2,421 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 3.1% | 1,963 |
| 9 | Ohio | 3.0% | 1,912 |
| 10 | Georgia | 2.8% | 1,755 |
% Of Establishments
0%
13%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
3,432
Total SBA Loans
$2.8B
Total Loan Volume
$824K
Average Loan Size
12 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.14%
Average Interest Rate
49,072
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[6] classifies NAICS 445110 under supermarkets and other grocery retailers with a size standard of $40 million in average annual receipts. Businesses at or below this revenue threshold qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Grocery retailers can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for store build-outs, refrigeration equipment, inventory financing, and working capital. Firms purchasing grocery store real estate may qualify for 504 loans[9]. The relatively high size standard reflects the capital-intensive nature of grocery retailing, where even small-format stores require substantial investment in refrigeration, shelving, and point-of-sale systems.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 264 | $213.0M | $807K |
| 2 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 176 | $171.3M | $973K |
| 3 | Commonwealth Business Bank | 56 | $152.2M | $2.7M |
| 4 | Bank of Hope | 96 | $130.8M | $1.4M |
| 5 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 32 | $92.2M | $2.9M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 445110?
NAICS 445110 covers supermarkets, grocery stores, independent grocers, ethnic food markets, natural and organic grocers, discount grocers, and delicatessen retailers selling a general line of food products. Convenience stores are excluded and classified separately. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
How is NAICS 445110 structured?
Store formats range from small independent grocers under 10,000 square feet to large-format supermarkets exceeding 50,000 square feet. Major segments include conventional supermarkets, discount grocers, natural and organic formats, ethnic specialty markets, and fresh-focused stores emphasizing prepared foods and produce departments.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 445110?
The SBA sets the size standard at $40 million in average annual receipts for supermarkets and other grocery retailers. Even single-location supermarkets can approach this threshold given high per-store revenue volumes typical in grocery retailing. Source: SBA Size Standards[6]
What NAICS codes are related to supermarkets?
Related retail codes include 445131 (convenience retailers), 445132 (vending machine operators), 445230 (fruit and vegetable markets), 445291 (baked goods retailers), 445292 (confectionery retailers), and 445320 (beer, wine, and liquor stores). Source: Census NAICS[5]
What industries are related to grocery retailing?
Key supplier industries include 424410 (grocery wholesalers), 424420 (frozen food wholesalers), 424430 (dairy wholesalers), and 424470 (meat wholesalers). Competing industries include 722513 (limited-service restaurants) for prepared meal occasions.
What activities are included in NAICS 445110?
Activities include retailing canned, frozen, and packaged groceries; fresh produce, meats, dairy, and baked goods; operating in-store delis and bakeries; natural and organic grocery retailing; discount grocery operations; and online grocery ordering with pickup or delivery.
Can supermarkets and grocery stores get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 445110 can access SBA 7(a) loans for store build-outs, refrigeration equipment, inventory, and working capital. Firms purchasing grocery store real estate may qualify for 504 loans. The $40 million size standard accommodates the high revenue volumes typical of grocery operations. Source: SBA Loan Programs[10]
Where are supermarkets concentrated in the United States?
Supermarkets operate across all 50 states, with store density following population patterns. Urban and suburban markets support the highest concentrations. Rural communities often rely on a single grocery store, creating localized monopoly conditions. Food desert areas in low-income urban neighborhoods have fewer grocery store options per capita.
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. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]SBA sba.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
- [10]SBA Loan Programs sba.gov
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