NAICS 445298 Quarterly Industry Report
All Other Specialty Food Retailers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 445298Sector: 44Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 445298 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and Small Business Administration[5] to profile the miscellaneous specialty food retail sector. Our research team analyzes product niche economics, sourcing strategies, and the diverse business models captured within this catchall classification to provide accurate market intelligence for business valuation purposes. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and the specialty retail positioning strategies that differentiate these stores from conventional grocery competitors. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 445298 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and industry developments.
Industry Definition & Overview
All Other Specialty Food Retailers (NAICS 445298) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in retailing miscellaneous specialty foods not classified in more specific food retail categories. Products sold are not for immediate consumption and are not made on the premises. Covered products include packaged coffee and tea, bottled soft drinks and water, dairy products, spices, gourmet and specialty foods, ethnic food items, health food products, and dietary supplements sold as food items. This residual classification captures specialty food retailers that fall outside the more specific codes for produce, meat, seafood, baked goods, confectionery, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau[4], roughly 15,150 establishments operate under this classification. Gourmet food shops, ethnic grocery boutiques, and health food retailers represent significant segments within this catchall code. Coffee and tea specialty shops that retail packaged products without on-premises brewing operations also fall within this classification. Dairy stores selling milk, cheese, and yogurt products as their primary retail focus operate here rather than under supermarket codes.
The SBA[5] sets the size standard at $10 million in average annual receipts for this industry. Product mix diversity creates highly varied business models within a single NAICS code. A specialty olive oil shop operates under entirely different sourcing, inventory, and customer dynamics than a bottled water retailer or a health food store. Curated product selection, sourcing exclusivity, and expert staff knowledge provide differentiation against supermarkets that stock similar products without the specialty retail experience.
What's Included in This Industry
- Packaged coffee and tea specialty retailing
- Bottled soft drink and water retailing
- Dairy product specialty store operations
- Spice and seasoning specialty retailing
- Gourmet and specialty food store operations
- Ethnic and imported food specialty retailing
- Health food and natural product retailing
- Specialty olive oil and vinegar retailing
- Packaged dietary supplement retailing as food items
- Bottled juice and specialty beverage retailing
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Food and Beverage Retailers | 445 |
| Industry Group | Specialty Food Retailers | 4452 |
| NAICS Industry | Other Specialty Food Retailers | 44529 |
| National Industry | All Other Specialty Food Retailers | 445298 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 445110 | Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) | Operates supermarkets retailing general food lines, carrying broader product assortments that include many specialty food items stocked at lower price points |
| 445230 | Fruit and Vegetable Retailers | Retails fresh fruits and vegetables through specialty stores, representing another specialty food format excluded from this catchall classification of miscellaneous specialty foods |
| 445240 | Meat Retailers | Retails fresh meat products through butcher shops, representing another specific specialty food format excluded from this residual specialty food retail classification |
| 445250 | Fish and Seafood Retailers | Retails fish and seafood through specialty stores, representing another specific perishable specialty format excluded from this miscellaneous specialty food code |
| 445291 | Baked Goods Retailers | Retails baked goods not made on premises through specialty stores, representing another specific specialty food format excluded from this catchall retail classification |
| 445292 | Confectionery and Nut Retailers | Retails confectionery and nut products through specialty stores, representing another specific specialty food format excluded from this residual food retail code |
SBA Lending Summary
1,576
Total SBA Loans
$620.4M
Total Loan Volume
$394K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.13%
Average Interest Rate
21,888
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: The SBA[5] classifies NAICS 445298 under all other specialty food retailers with a size standard of $10 million in average annual receipts. Businesses at or below this revenue threshold qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Specialty food retailers can access SBA 7(a) loans[7] for store build-outs, inventory purchases, and working capital. Firms purchasing retail properties may qualify for 504 loans[8]. Import logistics costs and specialty product sourcing from international suppliers represent unique financing considerations for gourmet and ethnic food retailers in this classification.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 224 | $44.3M | $198K |
| 2 | Capital One, National Association | 16 | $40.0M | $2.5M |
| 3 | Pathward National Association | 8 | $35.6M | $4.5M |
| 4 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 64 | $34.8M | $544K |
| 5 | Truliant FCU | 16 | $31.8M | $2.0M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 445298?
NAICS 445298 covers specialty food retailers selling packaged coffee, tea, dairy products, spices, gourmet foods, ethnic imports, health foods, bottled beverages, and other specialty food items not made on premises. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[4]
How is NAICS 445298 structured?
This catchall classification covers diverse formats including gourmet food shops, health food stores, ethnic grocery boutiques, packaged coffee retailers, dairy stores, and specialty beverage retailers. Each niche operates with distinct sourcing, customer demographics, and seasonal patterns.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 445298?
The SBA sets the size standard at $10 million in average annual receipts for all other specialty food 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 specialty food retailers?
Related retail codes include 445110 (supermarkets), 445230 (produce markets), 445240 (meat retailers), 445250 (seafood retailers), 445291 (baked goods stores), and 445292 (confectionery stores). Source: Census NAICS[4]
What industries are related to specialty food retailing?
Key supplier industries include 311920 (coffee and tea manufacturing), 311514 (dairy products), 311930 (flavoring syrups), and 424490 (grocery wholesalers). Competing format 722515 (snack bars) sells similar products for immediate consumption.
What activities are included in NAICS 445298?
Activities include retailing packaged coffee, tea, dairy, spices, gourmet foods, ethnic imports, health foods, dietary supplements, bottled beverages, olive oils, vinegars, and other specialty food items not for immediate consumption and not produced on site.
Can specialty food retailers get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 445298 can access SBA 7(a) loans for store build-outs, inventory, and working capital. Firms purchasing retail properties may qualify for 504 loans. Import logistics and specialty sourcing create unique financing needs for gourmet retailers. Source: SBA Loan Programs[9]
Where are specialty food retailers concentrated in the United States?
Specialty food stores concentrate in affluent urban and suburban markets with educated, food-conscious consumer demographics. Cities with diverse immigrant populations support ethnic food specialty shops. Health food retailers cluster in wellness-oriented communities. Major metropolitan areas including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago support the highest specialty food retail density.
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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