[Federal Register: April 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 77)]
[Notices]
[Page 20860-20861]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ap05-30]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
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
[[Page 20861]]
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 June 21, 2005.
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 DHynek@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Nancy Piesto, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 2632-FOB
3, Washington, DC 20223-6500, at (301) 763-7872.
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 and
accommodation and food services, augmenting the period between economic
censuses, and is a continuation of similar retail trade surveys
conducted each year since 1951. The data collected-annual sales and
other operating receipts, e-commerce sales and other operating
receipts, purchases, end-of-year inventories, and accounts receivables-
are applicable to a variety of public and business needs. Data items
collected for accommodation and food services are annual receipts and
e-commerce receipts. The estimates of purchased merchandise will be
used to estimate trade margins on commodities sold in calculating the
personal consumption portion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Accounts receivable balances are
used by the Federal Reserve Board in measuring consumer credit.
Businesses use these estimates to determine market share and to perform
other analysis.
The ARTS sample consists of all firms operating retail
establishments within the U.S. whose probability of selection is
determined by sales size. Estimates developed in the ARTS are used to
benchmark the monthly sales and inventories series. 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.
Since the last OMB submission the ARTS no longer uses preprinted
pin-fed forms. Beginning with the 2002 survey year, forms are printed
and labeled, as needed, using a print-on-demand system (Docuprint).
There are several benefits in using this type of system. We no longer
need to purchase or store the large quantity of forms required. Also,
using Docuprint allows us to print the form and label at the same time
and gives us the flexibility to print special instructions where
needed.
Estimates produced from the Annual Retail Trade Survey are
published on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
basis.
For the 2005 data year, we will introduce a new sample. As part of
the process we will request two years of data resulting in a response
burden time of 56 minutes. In 2006, response burden is expected to
decrease to 37 minutes, as only one year of data will be requested.
II. Method of Collection
We collect this information by mail, fax, and telephone follow-up.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0013.
Form Number: SA-44, SA-44A, SA-44C, SA-44E, SA-44N, SA-44S, SA-45,
SA-45C, SA-721A, and SA-721E.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Retail and accommodation and food services
businesses in the United States.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 22,168.
Estimated Time Per Response: 56 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,690.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondents for fiscal
year 2005 is estimated to be $488,080 based on the annual response
burden of 20,690 hours and an hourly salary rate of $23.59 to complete
the form.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, section 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: April 19, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-8117 Filed 4-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P