[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 19610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7736]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 63 / Monday, April 2, 2012 / 
Notices  

[[Page 19610]]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Advance Monthly 
Retail Trade Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before June 1, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482-0336, (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: Karla Allen, U.S. Census Bureau, SSSD HQ-8K183A, 
4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233-6500, (301) 763-7208 (or 
via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MARTS) provides an early 
indication of monthly sales for firms located in the United States and 
classified in the Retail Trade or Food Services sectors as defined by 
the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
    The MARTS sample is comprised of approximately 5,000 firms selected 
from the larger Monthly Retail Trade Survey sample of about 12,000 
firms (OMB Control Number: 0607-0717). Firms are selected into the 
MARTS sample using a stratified design where the strata are defined by 
industry and size. The MARTS sample is re-selected, generally at 2\1/2\ 
to 3 year intervals, to ensure it is representative of the target 
population.
    The survey requests sales and e-commerce sales for the month just 
ending. If reporting data for a period other than the calendar month, 
the survey asks for the period's length (4 or 5 weeks) and date on 
which the period ended. The survey also asks for the number of 
establishments covered by the data provided and whether or not the 
sales data provided are estimates or more accurate ``book'' figures.
    Survey results are available approximately 9 working days after the 
end of the reference month. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) uses 
the survey results as critical inputs to the calculation of the Gross 
Domestic Product (GDP). Policymakers such as the Federal Reserve Board 
(FRB) need to have the timeliest estimates in order to anticipate 
economic trends and act accordingly. The Council of Economic Advisors 
(CEA) and other government agencies and businesses use the survey 
results to formulate and make decisions about economic policy. These 
estimates have a high priority because of their timeliness. There would 
be approximately a one-month delay in the availability of these results 
if the survey were not conducted.

II. Method of Collection

    We will collect this information by mail, fax, telephone follow-up, 
and Internet (during the second half of 2012).

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0104.
    Form Number: SM-44(06)A, SM-44(06)AE, SM-44(06)AS, and SM-72(06)A.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Retail and Food Services firms in the United 
States.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondents for the 
fiscal year 2012 is estimated to be $165,750.
    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: March 27, 2012.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-7736 Filed 3-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P