Table 1.
Broad business categories for food-related retail, created to facilitate comparison between business-list data and direct ground observationa
| Created broad business categorya | Standardized types of retailb | Partial standardized definitionb |
|---|---|---|
| General grocers (stores selling a wide variety of grocery items) | Grocery Stores | Supermarkets, food stores, and grocery stores, primarily engaged in the retail sale of all sorts of canned foods and dry goods … fresh fruits and vegetables … fresh and prepared meats, fish, and poultry … |
| Specialty-food stores (stores primarily selling one specific type of food or beverage) | Meat and Fish (Seafood) Markets | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of fresh, frozen, or cured meats, fish, shellfish, and other seafood |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of fresh fruits and vegetables | |
| Candy, Nut, and Confectionery | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of candy, nuts, popcorn, and other confections | |
| Retail Bakeries | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of bakery products. The products may be purchased from others or made on the premises | |
| Miscellaneous Food Stores | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of specialized foods, not elsewhere classified, such as eggs, poultry, health foods, spices, herbs, coffee, and tea | |
| Liquor Stores | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of packaged alcoholic beverages, such as ale, beer, wine, and liquor, for consumption off the premises | |
| Restaurants (outlets selling prepared food or drink for on-site or take-away consumption) | Eating Places | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of prepared food and drinks for on-premise or immediate consumption |
| Businesses not primarily selling foodc (businesses selling foods and/or beverages but not as their primary products) | Department stores | Retail stores generally carrying a general line of apparel, such as suits, coats, dresses; home furnishings, such as furniture, floor coverings, curtains, draperies, linens; major household appliances; and housewares, such as table and kitchen appliances, dishes, and utensils |
| Variety Stores | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of a variety of merchandise in the low and popular price ranges. These stores generally do not carry a complete line of merchandise and are not departmentalized | |
| Misc. General Merchandise Stores | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of a general line of apparel, dry goods, hardware, housewares, groceries, and other lines in limited amounts | |
| Gasoline Service Stations | Gasoline service stations primarily engaged in selling gasoline and lubricating oils; also tires, batteries, and other auto parts | |
| Family Clothing Stores | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of clothing, furnishings, and accessories for men, women, and children | |
| Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores | Establishments engaged in the retail sale of prescription drugs, proprietary drugs, and non-prescription medicines; may also carry a number of related lines: e.g., cosmetics, toiletries, tobacco, and novelty merchandise | |
| Tobacco Stores and Stands | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and smokers’ supplies | |
| News Dealers and Newsstands | Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals |
Created by study investigators for the purposes of data collection and analysis in this study
Types of retail and partial definitions based on Standardized Industrial Classifications available at www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html; complete definitions available at this site. For example, the complete definition of “Department stores” additionally includes: “ … These and other merchandise lines are normally arranged in separate sections or departments with the accounting on a departmentalized basis. The departments and functions are integrated under a single management. The stores usually provide their own charge accounts, deliver merchandise, and maintain open stocks. These stores normally have 50 employees or more. Establishments which sell a similar range of merchandise with less than 50 employees are classified in Industry 5399. Establishments which do not carry these general lines of merchandise are classified according to their primary activity.” Such complicated definitions were impractical for use in collecting data through direct ground observation, prompting the creation of the simpler scheme shown in this table.
As demonstrated in an multicity national study by Farley et al12, food and beverage items are frequently available from a variety of non-intuitive retail outlets including those listed here in this table.