Retail
Class Code 8008: Store—Clothing, Wearing Apparel or Dry Goods—Retail — Workers' Comp Insurance
Covers retail clothing, apparel, and dry goods stores, including sales floor, fitting room, and stockroom staff. It's a lower-hazard retail classification since the products handled are lightweight and there's minimal heavy equipment involved.
- Risk level:
- low
What code 8008 covers
Class 8008 applies to stores selling clothing, wearing apparel, shoes, and general dry goods to consumers, covering sales associates, cashiers, fitting-room staff, and stockroom employees who receive and organize merchandise. Because the merchandise handled is generally lightweight and the work is floor- and counter-based, this classification carries a lower risk profile than grocery, hardware, or furniture retail. Stores with an on-site tailoring or alterations department may need that portion of the operation reviewed separately depending on the equipment used. This code applies whether the store is a standalone boutique or part of a larger apparel chain location.
Included operations
- Sales floor and fitting room assistance
- Cashier and point-of-sale duties
- Receiving, tagging, and stocking apparel merchandise
- Visual merchandising and display setup
Assigned elsewhere
- Custom tailoring or dressmaking performed with industrial equipment, evaluated separately
- Department stores selling a broad mix of merchandise beyond apparel — see code 8039
- Shoe and accessory manufacturing operations, evaluated under the applicable manufacturing classification
- Dry cleaning or laundering services offered on-site — see code 2586
Businesses that typically carry 8008
- Clothing boutiques
- Apparel chain store locations
- Shoe stores
- Department-style apparel retailers
- Uniform and workwear retail stores
- Independent, owner-operated retail locations
- Regional and multi-location retail chains
- Strip-mall and shopping-center storefronts
Common misclassifications
Code 8039
Larger apparel retailers carrying a broad mix of non-clothing merchandise can drift toward a department-store classification instead of the apparel-specific code.
Code 2586
Stores offering on-site dry cleaning or alteration drop-off services sometimes blend that service exposure into the retail apparel code.
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What drives the cost of code 8008
- Total annual payroll for employees assigned to this classification
- Experience modification factor based on claims history
- State-specific base rates and loss costs filed for this class code
- Claims frequency and severity trends for the business
- Safety programs, training, and workplace controls in place
- Payroll mix across multiple classifications at the same location
What underwriters look for
- Square footage, sales volume, and number of locations
- Whether the business has its own delivery drivers or uses third-party carriers
- Stocking, lifting, and equipment use such as forklifts, box cutters, or ladders
- Prior claims history and current experience modification factor
State differences
This entry uses standard NCCI class code phraseology, which applies in most NCCI-governed states. Pennsylvania (PCRB), Delaware (DCRB), California (WCIRB), New Jersey (NJCRIB), Michigan, New York (NYCIRB), and Massachusetts maintain their own classification manuals, and code numbers or phraseology can differ there. Our agency confirms the correct classification for your state before quoting.
Where code 8008 fits
Quote class code 8008.
One application goes out to every carrier we can access for your class of business. You get a ranked comparison you can review and purchase online — with a licensed agent available whenever you want one.
Mon–Fri, 8:00am–6:00pm ET · Independent agency licensed in 23 states
Class code 8008 questions
Does this code cover shoe stores?
Yes, shoe and accessory retail is commonly coded under this same apparel/dry goods classification.
What about a store with an in-house tailor?
Basic fitting adjustments are typically fine, but a full tailoring operation with industrial sewing equipment may need separate review.
Is this a lower-cost class to insure compared to other retail?
It's generally a lower-hazard classification given the lightweight merchandise, though your actual rate depends on payroll, claims history, and state rates.
Does this apply to a large department-style apparel chain?
It can, depending on the merchandise mix; stores selling a broad range of goods beyond apparel may fit the department-store classification instead.
Last reviewed · Reviewed by Provident Financial Group licensed agents