[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 33910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14229]



[[Page 33910]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Advance Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services 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 August 5, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to: Scott Scheleur, U. S. Census Bureau, Room 2626-
FOB 3, Washington, DC 20233-6500, (301) 763-7128.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Advance Monthly Retail Sales Survey (MARTS) provides an early 
indication of monthly retail sales at the United States level. MARTS 
also provides estimates of monthly sales of food service establishments 
and drinking places. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) uses the 
data as critical inputs to the calculation of Gross Domestic Product 
(GDP). Policymakers such as the Federal Reserve Board need to have the 
most timely estimates in order to anticipate economic trends and act 
accordingly. The Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) and other 
government agencies and businesses use the data to formulate economic 
policy and make decisions. These estimates have a high BEA priority 
because of their timeliness. There would be approximately a one month 
delay in the availability of these data if this survey were not 
conducted. Data are collected monthly from small-size, medium-size, and 
large-size businesses which are selected using a stratified random 
sampling procedure. The MARTS sample is re-selected periodically, 
generally at approximately two-year intervals. Small-size and medium-
size retailers are requested to participate for those two years, after 
which they are replaced with new panel respondents. Smaller firms have 
less of a chance for selection due to our sampling procedure. Firms 
canvassed in this survey are not required to maintain additional 
records and carefully prepared estimates are acceptable if book figures 
are not available. There is no change in response burden.

II. Method of Collection

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

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0104.
    Form Number: SM-44(00)A, SM-44(00)AE, SM-44(00)AS, and SM-72(00)A.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Retail Businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,500.
    Estimated time Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondent is 
estimated to be $98,190 based on the median hourly salary of $21.82 for 
accountants and auditors. (U. S. Department of Labor--Bureau of Labor 
Statistics--Occupational Employment Statistics 2001, where $21.82 
represents the median hourly wage of the full-time wage and salary 
earnings of accountants and auditors) http://www.bls.gov/oes/2001/oes_13Bu.htm
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182.

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: June 1, 2003.
Madeleine Clayton,
Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-14229 Filed 6-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P