Industries in the Wholesale Trade, Nondurable Goods subsector sell or arrange the purchase or sale of nondurable goods to other businesses. Nondurable goods are items generally with a normal life expectancy of less than three years. Nondurable goods wholesale trade establishments are engaged in wholesaling products, such as paper and paper products, chemicals and chemical products, drugs, textiles and textile products, apparel, footwear, groceries, farm products, petroleum and petroleum products, alcoholic beverages, books, magazines, newspapers, flowers and nursery stock, and tobacco products.

The detailed industries within the subsector are organized in the classification structure based on the products sold. Within an industry, the types of establishments may vary, including wholesale merchants and/or agents and brokers.

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling agricultural products (except raw milk, live poultry, and fresh fruit and vegetables), such as grains, field beans, livestock, and other farm product raw materials (excluding seeds).

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling chemicals; plastics materials and basic forms and shapes; and allied products.

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling nondurable goods, such as farm supplies; books, periodicals and newspapers; flowers; nursery stock; paints; varnishes; tobacco and tobacco products; and other miscellaneous nondurable goods, such as cut Christmas trees and pet supplies.