[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6720-6721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3306]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Annual Retail Trade Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to: Ronald L. Piencykoski, Bureau of the Census, 
Room 2626-FOB 3, Washington, D.C. 20233-6500, (301) 457-2713.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS) provides a sound statistical 
basis for the formation of policy by other government agencies. It 
provides continuing and timely national statistics on retail trade 
augmenting the period between economic censuses, and is a continuation 
of similar retail trade surveys conducted each year since 1951 (except 
1954). The data that the Bureau collects with the ARTS, annual sales, 
purchases, end-of-year inventories, and accounts receivables are 
applicable to a variety of public and business needs. The ARTS sample 
consists of all firms operating retail establishments within the U.S. 
whose probability of selection is determined by sales size that were 
used in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS). An additional panel of 
cases, used only in the annual survey, are also canvassed. Estimates 
developed in the ARTS are used to benchmark the monthly sales and 
inventories series and the firms canvassed in this survey are not 
required to maintain additional records since carefully prepared 
estimates are acceptable if book figures are not available.

[[Page 6721]]

II. Method of Collection

    We will collect this information by mail, FAX and telephone follow-
up.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0013.
    Form Number: B-151, B-151A, B-151D, B-153, and B-153D.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Retail businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 23,700.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .4142 hrs. (about 25 minutes).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,817 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondent is 
estimated to be $134,002, based on an annual response burden of 9,817 
hours and a rate of $13.65 per hour to complete the form.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182, 224, 
and 225.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 5, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-3306 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P