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Department/General Stores

Industry Code: 64200

Compulsory

This industry covers integrated retail operations which sell more than one type of merchandise including but not limited to furniture, clothing, shoes, appliances, sporting goods, toys, jewelry, floor coverings, etc.

Operation Details:

For marketing purposes, department stores typically have separate and distinct merchandise areas. Sales staff are usually dedicated to specific areas, although some crossover of workers occurs. Check-out service tills can be area specific or centralized, however, merchandise can be purchased through any till. Departments within a store may be separated by different floors but merchandise can be picked up on one level and paid for on another.

This industry will cover specialty "office products" stores which have the combined sale of office furniture and equipment. Such companies normally sell related office supplies and stationery and may also sell computers and other business machines. Office products stores may have retail locations as well as warehouse distribution centres and the sale will often include delivery and set up. (setting in place and plugging in)

Businesses which specialize in the retail sale of items such as clothing, furniture, electronics, kitchen appliances, etc., through strictly catalogue shopping are classified in this industry. This type of operation typically involves the sale of a membership for the privilege of obtaining discounts available only through catologue orders. No sales inventory is kept on-site.

Underwriting Considerations:

If a business specializes in the sale of and installation of one product or type of product, they are to be classified in that particular industry. (e.g. Clothing Store)

The limited sale of food products is acceptable as a complement to the general merchandise, however, it cannot be the predominant activity. Auto servicing, home improvement centres, agri centres, bulk oil distribution are not considered part of this industry and require an additional classification.

Department stores are distinguishable from hardware stores by the sale of clothing and furniture and the specific departmental areas within the store. Department stores that offer installation or arrange for installation of home improvement items will require the additional classification, industry 25403.

Businesses that sell modular office furniture in conjunction with other product lines, require an additional industry (42133) for installation activities. Employers engaged exclusively in the sale of modular office furniture with installation would have the entire operation classified in industry 42133. Modular furniture refers to the office cubicles, desktops, overhead cabinets and adjustable keyboard tops used to create individual cubicles. Some may have windows, sliding doors, under cabinet drawers and other specialty shapes or designs to suit the specific needs of individual clients. The activities involved in the installation of the office cubicles, cabinets, sliding doors and desk tops extends well beyond the setting in place of pieces of furniture. Creating individual work places requires cutting, screwing, bolting and lifting segments into place. These activities are not consistent with this industry.

Businesses that are independent outlets for major department stores offering pick up of items ordered, but do not maintain an inventory, product display or retail counter sales are classified in Industry 69904, Novelty/Gift/Hobby Stores. However, if this type of business is conducted in conjunction with another business venture, it will be considered incidental to the other venture.

Premium Rate History:

Activities:

Catalogue Stores (only)
Department Stores
Fur Buying (Excluding Treatment)
Furniture, office and supply store
Office Furniture and Supply Store

Rate Group History:

This industry was consolidated with this rate group in 1994.

This industry covers integrated retail operations which sell more than one type of merchandise including but not limited to furniture, clothing, shoes, appliances, sporting goods, toys, jewelry, floor coverings, etc.

Premium Rate History:

Activities:

Catalogue Stores (only)
Department Stores
Fur Buying (Excluding Treatment)
Furniture, office and supply store
Office Furniture and Supply Store

Operation Details:

For marketing purposes, department stores typically have separate and distinct merchandise areas. Sales staff are usually dedicated to specific areas, although some crossover of workers occurs. Check-out service tills can be area specific or centralized, however, merchandise can be purchased through any till. Departments within a store may be separated by different floors but merchandise can be picked up on one level and paid for on another.

This industry will cover specialty "office products" stores which have the combined sale of office furniture and equipment. Such companies normally sell related office supplies and stationery and may also sell computers and other business machines. Office products stores may have retail locations as well as warehouse distribution centres and the sale will often include delivery and set up. (setting in place and plugging in)

Businesses which specialize in the retail sale of items such as clothing, furniture, electronics, kitchen appliances, etc., through strictly catalogue shopping are classified in this industry. This type of operation typically involves the sale of a membership for the privilege of obtaining discounts available only through catologue orders. No sales inventory is kept on-site.

Underwriting Considerations:

If a business specializes in the sale of and installation of one product or type of product, they are to be classified in that particular industry. (e.g. Clothing Store)

The limited sale of food products is acceptable as a complement to the general merchandise, however, it cannot be the predominant activity. Auto servicing, home improvement centres, agri centres, bulk oil distribution are not considered part of this industry and require an additional classification.

Department stores are distinguishable from hardware stores by the sale of clothing and furniture and the specific departmental areas within the store. Department stores that offer installation or arrange for installation of home improvement items will require the additional classification, industry 25403.

Businesses that sell modular office furniture in conjunction with other product lines, require an additional industry (42133) for installation activities. Employers engaged exclusively in the sale of modular office furniture with installation would have the entire operation classified in industry 42133. Modular furniture refers to the office cubicles, desktops, overhead cabinets and adjustable keyboard tops used to create individual cubicles. Some may have windows, sliding doors, under cabinet drawers and other specialty shapes or designs to suit the specific needs of individual clients. The activities involved in the installation of the office cubicles, cabinets, sliding doors and desk tops extends well beyond the setting in place of pieces of furniture. Creating individual work places requires cutting, screwing, bolting and lifting segments into place. These activities are not consistent with this industry.

Businesses that are independent outlets for major department stores offering pick up of items ordered, but do not maintain an inventory, product display or retail counter sales are classified in Industry 69904, Novelty/Gift/Hobby Stores. However, if this type of business is conducted in conjunction with another business venture, it will be considered incidental to the other venture.

Rate Group History:

This industry was consolidated with this rate group in 1994.