pafalafa-ga - you answered my previous question on number of
stores...how do I pay you for that?  the question has been closed. I
set this question at the same price, so perhaps I can pay you for this
question.  best, tom

Tom,

That's very kind of you...thanks.  Here's a replay of the info I provided earlier:

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Uncle Sam doesn't define the retail industry quite the way you do.

According to the latest Census Bureau figures (for 2002), there were
713,986 retail establishments in the US.  You can see the breakout of
the main categories here (sorry for the ludicrously long URL):


http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/IBQTable?_bm=y&-ds_name=EC0244I1&-ib_type=NAICS2002&-NAICS2002=441|443|445|446|447|448|452&-geo_id=&-_industry=441&-_industry=443&-_industry=445&-_industry=446&-_industry=447&-_industry=448&-_industry=452&-NAICS2002sector=*3&-_lang=en&-fds_name=EC0200A1


However, these numbers don't include restaurants, which is a separate
NAICS code all together, and may not include other sectors that are of
interest to you.

Each of the categories at the above link can be broken out into
detailed subcategories.  For instance, the "Motor vehicle & parts
dealers" breaks out into:

Automobile dealers
--New car dealers
--Used car dealers

Other motor vehicle dealers
--Recreational vehicle dealers

Motorcycle, boat, & other motor vehicle dealers
--Motorcycle dealers
--Boat dealers
--All other motor vehicle dealers

Automotive parts, accessories, & tire stores
--Automotive parts & accessories stores
--Tire dealers

-----

By the way, don't be shy about any of this.  If you would like any
additional information, you're certainly entitled.  Just let me know
by posting a Request for Clarification, and I'll be happy to assist
you as best I can.

Thanks again, 

paf