11 industries hardest hit by the recession

These sectors experienced the highest drops in sales between 2009and 2010. All data provided by Sageworks.

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11. Hardware, plumbing and heating equiptment wholesalers saw sales drop .22 percent between 2009 and 2010.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

10. Businesses that provide accomodations for travelers, including hotels, resorts and motels, declined by .23 percent in the same period.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

9. Sales fell .4 percent at office supply, stationery and gift stores.

Deb Lindsey / For The Washington Post

8. Printing and related activities, such as book binding and platemaking, fell by .49 percent between 2009 and 2010.

Courtesy of the Government Printing Office

7. Sales at furniture stores fell .54 percent nationwide.

Jeffrey MacMillan / Capital Business

6. Newspaper, periodic, book and directory publishers took a 1.57 percent hit between 2009 and 2010.

Jess Righthand

5. Cement and concrete product manufacturing fell by 1.67 percent.

Erik de Castro / Reuters

4. Other motor vehicle dealers, including those who specialize in watercrafts, motorcycles and recreational vehicles, said sales took a 2.57 percent dive. Here, a man dressed as Santa Claus water skis on the Potomac River.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

3. Sales fell 3.07 percent for lumber and construction material wholesellers.

Charles Krupa / AP

2. Sales at home furnishing stores fell 3.27 percent.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

1. Building materials and supply dealers saw sales drop 3.28 percent between 2009 and 2010.

James Brooks / AP

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