424350 - Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers
The clothing industry is a vibrant and essential part of the wholesale trade sector, playing a pivotal role in connecting manufacturers with retailers and consumers. NAICS Code 424350, titled Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers, represents a crucial segment within this industry, encompassing businesses that specialize in the merchant wholesale distribution of apparel products. Whether you’re a retailer, a business owner, or simply interested in how clothing products reach store shelves, understanding NAICS 424350 gives you valuable insight into this dynamic marketplace.
What is NAICS Code 424350?
NAICS Code 424350 includes establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of clothing and clothing accessories. This means the businesses under this classification buy clothing items in bulk from manufacturers and sell them to retailers, commercial users, or other wholesalers.
These wholesalers offer a diverse range of apparel and accessories, from men’s, women’s, children’s, and infants’ clothing to specialized items such as fur clothing, uniforms, and outerwear. The scope of this industry is broad, and the wholesalers serve as an essential link in the supply chain, facilitating the efficient distribution of clothing products across the market.
Sector: Wholesale Trade
NAICS 424350 belongs to the Wholesale Trade sector — one of the key sectors in the economy focused on the bulk distribution and resale of goods. Wholesale merchants in this sector typically operate warehouses and distribution centers and cater to:
- Retail outlets
- Commercial buyers
- Other wholesalers
This makes them crucial players in ensuring that retailers receive timely and cost-effective access to inventory.
Typical Business Activities Under NAICS 424350
Businesses classified under this NAICS code engage in various activities, including:
- Wholesale distribution of men's and boys’ clothing
- Wholesale distribution of women's, children's, and infants' clothing
- Distribution of clothing accessories such as hats, gloves, scarves, and hosiery
- Merchant wholesaling of outerwear, sportswear, uniforms, and swimwear
- Distributing baby and infant products related to apparel and accessories
These wholesalers often maintain extensive inventories of items like coats, dresses, lingerie, sleepwear, and specialized clothing such as waterproof garments and work apparel.
Size Standards for NAICS 424350
The Small Business Administration (SBA) sets size standards to determine eligibility for small business status under NAICS 424350. For this industry:
- Maximum number of employees to qualify as a small business: 150 employees
This sizing criterion helps define which businesses can access certain government programs, contracts, and support designated for small enterprises.
Examples of Businesses Under NAICS Code 424350
Here are examples of the types of businesses that fall under this NAICS classification:
- Wholesale distributors specializing in men's and boys' suits, outerwear, and furnishings
- Clothing accessory wholesalers selling handbags, hats, scarves, and gloves
- Distributors focusing on infants' and children's apparel including diapers and sleepwear
- Wholesalers of women's dresses, lingerie, hosiery, and coats
- Companies focusing on specialty products, such as fur clothing or work uniforms
Detailed Code Descriptions Table
| Code Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Accessories, clothing, men's and boy's, merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of men's and boys' clothing accessories |
| Baby and infant car seats merchant wholesalers | Distribution of baby and infant car seats |
| Baby and infant high chairs merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of baby and infant high chairs |
| Baby bottles merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of baby bottles |
| Baby clothing merchant wholesalers | Wholesaling baby apparel |
| Booster seats merchant wholesalers | Distribution of baby booster seats |
| Children's clothing merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of children's clothing |
| Clothing accessories, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Distribution of clothing accessories for women and children |
| Clothing, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of men’s and boys' clothing |
| Clothing, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of clothing for women, children, and infants |
| Coats, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of coats for men and boys |
| Coats, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of coats for women, children, and infants |
| Costumes, clothing, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesaling men's and boys' costumes |
| Costumes, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of women's, children's, and infants' costumes |
| Diapers (except disposable) merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of reusable diapers |
| Dresses merchant wholesalers | Wholesale distribution of dresses |
| Fur clothing merchant wholesalers | Wholesaling fur garments |
| Furnishings (except shoes), men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of men's and boys' clothing accessories except shoes |
| Furnishings (except shoes), women's, girls', and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of women's, girls', infants' clothing accessories except shoes |
| Gloves, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of gloves for men and boys |
| Gloves, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of gloves for women and children |
| Handbags merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of handbags |
| Hats and caps, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of hats and caps for men and boys |
| Hats and caps, women's, girls', and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of hats and caps for women, girls, and infants |
| Hosiery, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of hosiery for men and boys |
| Hosiery, women's and girls', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of hosiery for women and girls |
| Hosiery, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale hosiery for women, children, and infants |
| Infants' clothing merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of infants' apparel |
| Lingerie merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of lingerie |
| Men's and boys' clothing merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of men's and boys' clothing |
| Men's and boys' furnishings (except shoes) merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of men's and boys' clothing accessories except shoes |
| Millinery merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of women's hats and headwear |
| Neckties, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of neckties for men and boys |
| Nightwear, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of men's and boys' nightwear |
| Nightwear, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of nightwear for women, children, and infants |
| Outerwear, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of outerwear for men and boys |
| Outerwear, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of outerwear for women, children, and infants |
| Purses merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of purses |
| Sleepwear, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of men's and boys' sleepwear |
| Sleepwear, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of women's, children's, and infants' sleepwear |
| Socks, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of socks for men and boys |
| Socks, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of socks for women, children, and infants |
| Sportswear, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of men’s and boys’ sportswear |
| Strollers merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of baby strollers |
| Suits, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of suits for men and boys |
| Swimwear, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of swimwear for men and boys |
| Swimwear, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of swimwear for women, children, and infants |
| Umbrellas, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of umbrellas for men and boys |
| Umbrellas, women's and girls', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of umbrellas for women and girls |
| Underwear, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of underwear for men and boys |
| Underwear, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of underwear for women, children, and infants |
| Uniforms (except athletic), men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of uniforms (non-athletic) for men and boys |
| Uniforms (except athletic), women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of uniforms (non-athletic) for women and children |
| Unisex clothing merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of clothing designed for all genders |
| Waterproof garments, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of waterproof clothing for men and boys |
| Waterproof garments, women's, children's, and infants', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of waterproof clothing for women, children, and infants |
| Women's and children's clothing accessories merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of clothing accessories for women and children |
| Women's clothing merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of women's clothing |
| Work clothing, men's and boys', merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of work apparel for men and boys |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 424350?
Businesses primarily engaged in merchant wholesale distribution of clothing and clothing accessories, including wholesalers of men’s, women’s, children’s, and infants’ apparel and related accessories.
What is the size standard for small businesses under NAICS 424350?
The SBA defines small businesses in this category as those having 150 or fewer employees.
Does NAICS 424350 include wholesale distributors of baby products?
Yes, it includes wholesalers of baby and infant clothing, baby bottles, strollers, booster seats, and other infant-related apparel accessories.
Are wholesalers of clothing accessories like handbags and gloves part of this code?
Yes, wholesalers distributing clothing accessories such as handbags, gloves, scarves, and hats are classified under NAICS 424350.
Can a wholesale distributor of both clothing and footwear fall under this code?
No, NAICS 424350 specifically covers clothing and clothing accessories. Footwear wholesalers are classified under a different NAICS code.
Conclusion
Understanding NAICS Code 424350 is vital for anyone involved in the apparel distribution industry or looking to engage with clothing wholesalers. This classification captures a wide array of wholesale businesses distributing everything from men's suits to infants' clothing and accessories. It is a key subset of the wholesale trade sector, with a small business size standard set at 150 employees.
Whether you are a manufacturer, retailer, or entrepreneur, familiarizing yourself with NAICS 424350 can help you navigate government contracting, industry regulations, and market opportunities more effectively.
Keywords: NAICS 424350, clothing and clothing accessories merchant wholesalers, wholesale trade, clothing wholesalers, apparel distribution, small business size standard, wholesale clothing accessories, men's clothing wholesalers, women's clothing wholesalers, infant clothing wholesalers
