This category includes establishments primarily engaged in the retail trade of specialized lines of merchandise that are not included elsewhere, including art and architecture supplies

The industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in selling a general line of their own or consigned merchandise at retail on an auction basis. Establishments primarily engaged in auctioning tangible personal property of others on a contract or fee basis

As part of the more than $4.7 trillion retailing business in the United States, these businesses are wide-ranging in size of operation and revenue generated. While many of the enterprises in this category can be classified as small business, their impact on the U.S. economy is substantial, accounting for as much as 30 percent of the gross domestic product. These businesses sell everything from light bulbs to sunscreen to mailing supplies to cat toys

The products are not always glamorous, but for many, they are necessities. In 2007, for retailers in the miscellaneous store retailing industry, of which many of the businesses in this industry are a part, sales totaled nearly $84 billion

Depending on the segment of retailing being examined, the profit margin for these businesses hovers around 2 percent nationwide. In the early 2000s, some enterprises in this classification, such as typewriter stores and ice dealers, no longer enjoyed the same prominence or level of enterprise that they did 30 or more years ago. However, enterprises like religious goods stores and pet stores have enjoyed healthy activity, even during difficult times. In 2003, specialty retailers of all types were responsible for three-fourths of all retail sales nationwide.

Depending on the segment of retailing being examined, the profit margin for these businesses hovers around 2 percent nationwide. In the early 2000s, some enterprises in this classification, such as typewriter stores and ice dealers, no longer enjoyed the same prominence or level of enterprise that they did 30 or more years ago. However, enterprises like religious goods stores and pet stores have enjoyed healthy activity, even during difficult times

It is difficult to predict future trends for this segment of the economy, given the variables involved and the mix of merchandise among the businesses. Although various individual businesses posted double-digit sales increases in the late 1990s, retailing as a whole showed less impressive numbers. Indeed, economic predictions are hard to make, but in the mid- to late 1990s, thousands of retail companies sought protection from creditors in bankruptcy courts.