Non-specialised wholesale trade

SIC 46900Section G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles|Data verified: 2026-04-17
29,999Active Companies
Section G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles
Division 46
SIC 46900

What is SIC Code 46900?

SIC code 46900 covers non-specialised wholesale trade activities in the UK, with 29,999 active companies currently registered. This represents a significant segment of UK business activity. It falls under Section G (Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.

See the full industry analysis on the Non-specialised wholesale trade industry page.

29,999
Active
128
Dissolved
35,737
Total
8.3y
Avg Age

Sector Analysis

With a 84% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 128 of 35,737 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. Companies in this sector average 8.3 years old, reflecting a balanced mix of established businesses and newer market participants. Growth has been exceptional recently: 65% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 18%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. The leading locations for this sector are LONDON (7,300), MANCHESTER (1,691), BIRMINGHAM (707), which together account for 32% of active companies.

Formation by Decade
18%
65%
Pre-1990: 1,590
1990s: 1,241
2000s: 2,299
2010s: 5,372
2020s: 19,497

Frequently Asked Questions about SIC 46900

What does SIC code 46900 mean?

SIC code 46900 stands for "Non-specialised wholesale trade" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section G — Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.

How many UK companies use SIC code 46900?

There are currently 29,999 active companies registered under SIC code 46900 in the UK, out of 35,737 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 84%, meaning 16% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.

Where are most SIC 46900 companies located in the UK?

The top locations for non-specialised wholesale trade companies (SIC 46900) are: LONDON (7,300), MANCHESTER (1,691), BIRMINGHAM (707), LEICESTER (601), PONTYPOOL (293). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.

Is the non-specialised wholesale trade sector growing or declining in the UK?

The sector is growing: 65% of currently active SIC 46900 companies were formed since 2020, and 18% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for non-specialised wholesale trade services in the UK.

What is the typical company profile for SIC code 46900?

Companies classified under SIC 46900 have an average age of 8.3 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include BOOKER LIMITED, TRAVIS PERKINS PLC, COSTCO WHOLESALE UK LIMITED.

What SIC codes are similar to 46900?

Related SIC codes within the same division include: 46190 (Agents involved in the sale of a variety of goods), 46420 (Wholesale of clothing and footwear), 46160 (Agents involved in the sale of textiles, clothing, fur, footwear and leather goods), 46180 (Agents specialized in the sale of other particular products). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.

How do I find companies registered under SIC code 46900?

You can search for companies with SIC code 46900 (Non-specialised wholesale trade) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.

Explore Companies Under SIC 46900

Search, filter, and analyse 29,999 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.

Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.