[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 239 (Thursday, December 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 75385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29281]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 0811171463-81465-01]


Annual Retail Trade Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of determination.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is conducting the 
Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS). The Census Bureau has determined to 
collect data covering annual sales, e-commerce sales, percent of e-
commerce sales to customers located outside the United States, year-end 
inventories, total operating expenses, purchases, accounts receivables, 
and for select industries, merchandise line sales and percent of sales 
by class of customer. The ARTS was not conducted in 2007 because these 
data were collected by the 2007 Economic Census--a detailed portrait of 
the Nation's economy conducted once every five years, from the national 
to the local level.

ADDRESSES: The Census Bureau will furnish report forms to organizations 
included in the survey. Additional copies are available upon written 
request to the Director, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Wellwood, Service Sector 
Statistics Division, at (301) 763-6816, or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ARTS is a continuation of similar retail 
trade surveys conducted each year since 1951 (except 1954). It 
provides, on a comparable classification basis, annual sales, e-
commerce sales, purchases, and year-end inventories for 2008. These 
data are not available publicly on a timely basis from nongovernmental 
or other governmental sources.
    The Census Bureau will require a selected sample of firms operating 
retail establishments in the United States (with sales size determining 
the probability of selection) to report in the 2008 ARTS. We will 
furnish report forms to the firms covered by this survey and will 
require their submissions within 30 days after receipt. The sample will 
provide, with measurable reliability, statistics on the subjects 
specified above.
    The Census Bureau is authorized to take surveys that are necessary 
to furnish current data on the subjects covered by the major censuses 
authorized by Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), Sections 182, 224, 
and 225. This survey will provide continuing and timely national 
statistical data on retail trade for the period between economic 
censuses. For 2008, the survey will, as it has in the past, operate as 
a separate sample of retail companies. The data collected in this 
survey will be similar to that collected in the past and within the 
general scope and nature of those inquiries covered in the economic 
census. These data will provide a sound statistical basis for the 
formation of policy by various government agencies. These data also 
apply to a variety of public and business needs.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number. In accordance with the PRA, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 
35, the OMB approved the Annual Retail Trade Survey under OMB Control 
Number 0607-0013.
    Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that an annual survey be 
conducted for the purpose of collecting these data.

    Dated: December 5, 2008.
Steve H. Murdock,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
 [FR Doc. E8-29281 Filed 12-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P