> The obvious tag is > shop=trade > and > trade= ??? ... The most obvious tagging scheme for a world wide database like OSM would be to use the commercial classification system in effect in a particular jurisdiction.
In the U.S. that's NAICS, the U.K. has one, the EU and practically every country in the world has one or uses on of the broader ones. The U.N. has a very generic one. And there are published crosswalk tables and utilities between the different systems. They are all hierarchical, i.e. they have very very broad simple generic categories at the top ( 20 for NAICS ) but also allow one to drill down to the very, very specific - and the common search engines will provide the detailed label with a simple query like Googling "NAICS Code NAICS code bubble tea stand" gives "NAICS Code 722515 - Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars", '... establishments primarily engaged in (1) preparing and/or serving a specialty snack, such as ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies, or popcorn, or (2) serving nonalcoholic beverages, such as coffee, juices, or sodas for consumption on or near the premises. These establishments may carry and sell a combination of snack, nonalcoholic beverage, and other related products (e.g., coffee beans, mugs, coffee makers) but generally promote and sell a unique snack or nonalcoholic beverage." with examples. They also provide links to alternative and related, more general, and more specific categories. Even if someone goofs a designation, the goof will usually still be very close to the actual one. Also, to some degree, usually the code(s) for a particular business is public record at the municipal, county, state/province, and national level, it's on their posted business license, it appears on a roll or listing somewhere. If the business is ad hoc or unlicensed, it's trivial to get the classification by looking up the code for a similar licensed business. It accommodates the very common situation where an establishment provides multiple levels, like manufactures cabinets from raw materials, ships them and distributes them wholesale regionally, and retails them over the counter to individuals from their showroom. The benefits to data providers and consumers are fairly obvious. Michael Patrick Data Ferret
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