Businesses exist to produce different goods and services and as such exist in different sectors of industry.  There are 3 main sectors as shown in the diagram below.

 

 

 

 

 

Primary Sector

Businesses which exist in the primary sector of industry are those that are concerned with using natural resources such as

• farming
• oil drilling
• mining
• fishing
• forestry

 

 

 

 

In other words these businesses are concerned with growing products or extracting resources from the ground.

Secondary Sector

Businesses which exist in the secondary or manufacturing sector of industry are concerned with the making of products.  Manufacturing businesses can take the raw materials from other industries in the primary sector and convert them into different products.

For example Kellogg’s will purchase crops from farmers to manufacture breakfast cereal.

Tertiary Sector

Businesses which exist in the tertiary sector do not produce a product.  They are concerned with providing services like banking, tourism, beauticians, hairdressers, fitness centres and entertainment like film and TV