[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7835-7836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02868]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


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

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, 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 April 13, 2015.

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 (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, EID 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 4,900 firms selected 
from the larger Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS) 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 the 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 published approximately 9 working days after the 
end of the reference month. There would be a delay in the availability 
of these results if the survey were not conducted, as results from the 
MRTS are not published until approximately 6 weeks 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.

II. Method of Collection

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

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0104.
    Form Number: SM-44(12)A, SM-44(12)AE, SM-44(12)AS, and SM-72(12)A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Retail and Food Services firms in the United 
States.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,900.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,900.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
    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

[[Page 7836]]

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 6, 2015.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-02868 Filed 2-11-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P