SIC code 47520 classifies businesses engaged in retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialised stores. There are 2,546 active companies registered under this code in the UK, forming a substantial sector within the national economy. 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 Retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialised stores industry page.
With a 89% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 3 of 2,876 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. The average company age is 15.6 years, indicating an established sector with a mix of long-running businesses and newer entrants. The sector is experiencing strong growth, with 37% of active companies formed since 2020 and 28% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate points to continued demand for retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialised stores services. Companies are geographically dispersed across the UK, with no single location dominating. The top three locations — LONDON, GLASGOW, BIRMINGHAM — together account for just 15% of the sector.
SIC code 47520 stands for "Retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialised stores" 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.
There are currently 2,546 active companies registered under SIC code 47520 in the UK, out of 2,876 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 89%, meaning 11% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.
The top locations for retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialised stores companies (SIC 47520) are: LONDON (259), GLASGOW (67), BIRMINGHAM (64), MANCHESTER (51), BRADFORD (28). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.
The sector is growing: 37% of currently active SIC 47520 companies were formed since 2020, and 28% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialised stores services in the UK.
Companies classified under SIC 47520 have an average age of 15.6 years. This indicates a mature sector where businesses tend to operate long-term. Notable companies include LAKELAND LIMITED, C.BREWER & SONS LIMITED, ROBERT DYAS HOLDINGS LIMITED.
Related SIC codes within the same division include: 47910 (Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet), 47990 (Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets), 47110 (Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating), 47190 (Other retail sale in non-specialised stores). 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.
You can search for companies with SIC code 47520 (Retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialised stores) 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.
Search, filter, and analyse 2,546 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.