NAICS 449210 Quarterly Industry Report
Electronics and Appliance Retailers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 449210Sector: 44Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 449210 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and Small Business Administration[5] to profile the electronics and appliance retail sector. Our research team analyzes product lifecycle economics, e-commerce competitive dynamics, and service revenue opportunities to provide accurate market intelligence for business valuation purposes. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and the customer service strategies that help brick-and-mortar retailers compete against online electronics sellers. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 449210 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and industry developments.
Industry Definition & Overview
Electronics and Appliance Retailers (NAICS 449210) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in retailing new household-type appliances, consumer electronics, computers, tablets, cameras, and related products. Some retailers specialize in a single product line such as cellular phones, audio equipment, or major appliances, while others carry broad electronics and appliance assortments. Stores selling prepackaged computer software, prerecorded audio and video media, and downloadable digital content also fall within this classification when these activities represent the primary business focus.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau[4], roughly 76,522 establishments operate under this classification. Product life cycles in consumer electronics are short, with new models replacing existing inventory every 12 to 18 months. Rapid obsolescence creates markdown pressure on aging stock and drives frequent promotional activity. Retailers differentiate through product knowledge, in-store demonstration capabilities, and post-sale support services including extended warranties, installation, and technical assistance. Cellular phone retailers represent a large segment, operating carrier-branded stores, authorized dealer locations, and independent phone accessory shops.
The SBA[5] sets the size standard at $40 million in average annual receipts for this industry. E-commerce competition intensely pressures brick-and-mortar electronics retailers, as consumers commonly research products in stores before purchasing online at lower prices. Retailers that bundle installation, configuration, and ongoing support services create revenue streams less vulnerable to online price comparison. Major appliance retailing benefits from delivery and installation requirements that provide some protection against pure e-commerce competition.
What's Included in This Industry
- Consumer electronics retailing including televisions and audio systems
- Computer, laptop, and tablet retailing
- Cellular phone and smartphone retailing
- Camera and photography equipment retailing
- Household appliance retailing including washers and dryers
- Kitchen appliance retailing including refrigerators and ranges
- Video game console and software retailing
- Prepackaged computer software retailing
- Electronics repair and support combined with retail
- Cellular phone accessory and case retailing
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers | 449 |
| Industry Group | Electronics and Appliance Retailers | 4492 |
| NAICS Industry | Electronics and Appliance Retailers | 44921 |
| National Industry | Electronics and Appliance Retailers | 449210 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 449110 | Furniture Retailers | Retails new furniture sometimes in combination with appliances and electronics, sharing home furnishing and appliance customer overlap in combination store formats |
| 449129 | All Other Home Furnishings Retailers | Retails all other home furnishings including small kitchen appliances and electric lamps, sharing household product customer demographics with electronics and appliance stores |
| 455110 | Department Stores | Operates department stores selling general merchandise including electronics departments, carrying narrower electronics selections than dedicated electronics and appliance retailers |
| 455211 | Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters | Operates warehouse clubs and supercenters selling electronics alongside groceries and general merchandise, competing on price with dedicated electronics retail stores |
| 455219 | All Other General Merchandise Retailers | Operates all other general merchandise retailers including discount stores with electronics departments, sharing price-conscious consumer electronics customer segments |
| 459510 | Used Merchandise Retailers | Retails used merchandise including secondhand electronics and appliances, distinguished from this code which covers new consumer electronics and appliance retail sales |
SBA Lending Summary
1,120
Total SBA Loans
$400.7M
Total Loan Volume
$358K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.53%
Average Interest Rate
7,736
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: The SBA[5] classifies NAICS 449210 under electronics and appliance 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. Electronics retailers can access SBA 7(a) loans[7] for inventory purchases, store build-outs, and working capital. Firms purchasing retail or warehouse properties may qualify for 504 loans[8]. The high size standard reflects the capital-intensive inventory requirements of electronics retailing, where even small stores carry substantial product value on their sales floors and in back stock.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Bank | 176 | $36.2M | $206K |
| 2 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 96 | $33.3M | $347K |
| 3 | Fremont Bank | 8 | $25.3M | $3.2M |
| 4 | Platinum Bank | 24 | $21.1M | $879K |
| 5 | Brookline Bank, a Division of Beacon Bank and Trust | 16 | $20.3M | $1.3M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 449210?
NAICS 449210 covers retailers selling consumer electronics, computers, phones, cameras, household appliances, video games, and prepackaged software. Carrier-branded phone stores, appliance showrooms, and general electronics retailers are all included. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[4]
How is NAICS 449210 structured?
Stores range from single-brand cellular phone locations to large-format electronics superstores. Many retailers combine product sales with extended warranties, installation services, and technical support. Rapid product obsolescence and intense online competition shape inventory management and pricing strategies.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 449210?
The SBA sets the size standard at $40 million in average annual receipts for electronics and appliance 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 electronics and appliance retailers?
Related retail codes include 449110 (furniture), 449129 (home furnishings), 455110 (department stores), 455211 (warehouse clubs), 455219 (general merchandise), and 459510 (used merchandise). Source: Census NAICS[4]
What industries are related to electronics retailing?
Key supplier industries include 334111 (computer manufacturing), 334310 (audio and video equipment), 335220 (major appliances), and 335210 (small appliances). Wholesale distribution through 423620 (electronics wholesalers) supplies retail inventory.
What activities are included in NAICS 449210?
Activities include retailing televisions, computers, tablets, phones, cameras, audio systems, household appliances, video games, prepackaged software, and digital content. Repair services, extended warranties, and technical support combined with retail are also included.
Can electronics and appliance retailers get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 449210 can access SBA 7(a) loans for inventory, store build-outs, and working capital. Firms purchasing retail properties may qualify for 504 loans. High inventory carrying costs and rapid product turnover create significant ongoing capital needs. Source: SBA Loan Programs[9]
Where are electronics and appliance retailers concentrated in the United States?
Electronics retailers concentrate in suburban shopping centers and high-traffic commercial corridors across all major metropolitan areas. Cellular phone stores cluster in malls and strip centers with high foot traffic. Major appliance retailers concentrate in suburban markets near residential construction activity.
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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