NAICS 459140 Quarterly Industry Report
Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 459140Sector: 45Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This NAICS 459140 industry report integrates data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4] Annual Retail Trade Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics[5] employment statistics for specialty retail workers, and Small Business Administration[6] size standard tables. Fair Market Value researchers supplement these federal sources with music industry trade association data and school music program participation statistics to produce quarterly updates. Each NAICS 459140 report revision captures employment patterns, instrument purchasing trends, and competitive dynamics across the music retail sector.
Industry Definition & Overview
Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (NAICS 459140) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in retailing new musical instruments, sheet music, and related supplies. Many of these retailers combine instrument sales with repair services, rental programs, and music instruction. Businesses range from full-line music stores carrying guitars, keyboards, drums, and orchestral instruments to specialty shops focused on a single instrument family or genre.
The U.S. Census Bureau[4] classifies music stores separately from other entertainment retailers and sporting goods stores. Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and Sweetwater represent major chain and e-commerce operators, while thousands of independent music stores serve local musicians, school music programs, and church worship teams. School band and orchestra instrument rentals provide a stable recurring revenue stream that helps independents maintain viable operations year-round.
Product categories include guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, synthesizers, brass and woodwind instruments, string instruments, pro audio equipment, recording gear, and DJ supplies. Repair and maintenance services generate high-margin revenue, particularly for band instrument overhauls and guitar setups. Music lesson programs bring students into stores on a weekly basis, creating ongoing relationships that convert into equipment purchases as skill levels advance. Store-hosted events including open mic nights and product demonstrations build community engagement that pure online retailers struggle to replicate.
What's Included in This Industry
- Retailing guitars, basses, and fretted instrument accessories
- Selling keyboards, pianos, and electronic musical instruments
- Operating full-line music stores with multiple instrument departments
- Retailing drums, percussion instruments, and related accessories
- Selling band and orchestral instruments including brass, woodwind, and strings
- Running school band instrument rental programs through retail stores
- Providing musical instrument repair and maintenance services at retail locations
- Selling pro audio, recording equipment, and DJ gear through music retailers
- Retailing sheet music, method books, and instructional materials
- Offering private and group music lessons at retail music store locations
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers | 459 |
| Industry Group | Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers | 4591 |
| NAICS Industry | Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers | 45914 |
| National Industry | Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers | 459140 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 459120 | Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers | Hobby, toy, and game retailers sell entertainment and recreational products through similar specialty retail formats that target leisure activity consumers |
| 339920 | Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing | Sporting and athletic goods manufacturing produces recreational equipment through manufacturing processes comparable to musical instrument production methods |
| 459110 | Sporting Goods Retailers | Sporting goods retailers operate specialty retail formats with similar seasonal demand patterns and brand-driven product assortments |
| 611610 | Fine Arts Schools | Fine arts schools provide music instruction programs that create demand for instruments and supplies purchased at music retail stores |
| 512230 | Music Publishers | Music publishers produce the sheet music, method books, and educational materials that music retailers sell alongside instruments and accessories |
| 512290 | Other Sound Recording Industries | Other sound recording industries produce recordings and related products that complement the instruments and accessories sold at music stores |
SBA Lending Summary
336
Total SBA Loans
$115.1M
Total Loan Volume
$343K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.26%
Average Interest Rate
2,792
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[7] classifies businesses under NAICS 459140 as small if their average annual receipts do not exceed $22.5 million. Independent music stores and small chain operators below this threshold qualify for SBA lending programs. SBA 7(a) loans[8] provide financing for instrument inventory, rental fleet acquisition, and working capital. The SBA 504 program[9] supports real estate purchases and major renovations including soundproofed lesson rooms and performance spaces for owner-operated music retail locations.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EverBank National Association | 8 | $29.6M | $3.7M |
| 2 | Regions Bank | 16 | $14.7M | $918K |
| 3 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 32 | $11.9M | $372K |
| 4 | The Huntington National Bank | 16 | $7.8M | $490K |
| 5 | North State Bank | 8 | $6.4M | $795K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What businesses fall under NAICS 459140?
NAICS 459140 covers full-line music stores, guitar shops, keyboard retailers, band instrument dealers, and any establishment primarily retailing new musical instruments and supplies. Stores combining sales with repair, rental, or instruction also qualify. The U.S. Census Bureau[4] provides the official classification.
How is NAICS 459140 structured in the retail sector?
NAICS 459140 falls within Subsector 459, Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers. It is distinct from hobby stores (459120) and book retailers (459210). The Census Bureau[10] places music retail alongside other specialty entertainment and recreation retailers.
What is the SBA size standard for music stores?
The SBA sets the size standard at $22.5 million in average annual receipts for NAICS 459140. Most independent music stores operate well below this threshold. Current standards appear in the SBA table of size standards[6].
Which NAICS codes are most related to 459140?
Closely related codes include 459120 for hobby retailers, 611610 for fine arts schools, 512230 for music publishers, and 512290 for sound recording industries. Each either supplies products, generates demand, or competes for entertainment consumer spending.
What industries interact with music retailers?
Music schools (611610) generate demand for instruments, publishers (512230) supply sheet music, sound recording companies (512290) drive instrument interest, and hobby retailers (459120) compete for discretionary leisure spending. School music programs remain a primary driver of new instrument purchases.
What activities does NAICS 459140 include?
Activities include retailing instruments, sheet music, and accessories, providing repair and maintenance services, operating instrument rental programs, selling pro audio and recording equipment, and offering music lessons. The Census definition[4] covers the full scope.
Can music store owners get SBA loans?
Music retailers with receipts under $22.5 million qualify for SBA 7(a) loans covering inventory, rental fleet purchases, and working capital. The 504 program funds real estate and major renovations. Details are at the SBA funding programs page[11].
Where are music retailers concentrated in the U.S.?
Music stores distribute across all regions, with concentrations in metropolitan areas and college towns with active music scenes. Nashville, Los Angeles, Austin, and New York support particularly dense clusters. Communities with strong school music programs and active worship music cultures also sustain independent instrument dealers.
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]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 program sba.gov
- [10]Census Bureau census.gov
- [11]SBA funding programs page sba.gov
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