[Federal Register: October 30, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 209)]
[Notices]
[Page 63283]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30oc06-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
[Docket Number 061012263-6263-01]
Annual Wholesale 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 Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS), formerly named the Annual Trade
Survey. The Census Bureau has determined a need to collect data
covering annual sales, e-commerce sales, inventories, purchases,
commissions, and operating expenses for the wholesale trade sector.
These data are important inputs to the Bureau of Economic Analysis's
preparation of National Income and Products accounts and its annual
input-output tables.
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: John R. Trimble, Chief, Annual
Wholesale and Special Projects Branch, Service Sector Statistics
Division, on (301) 763-7223 or by e-mail on John.R.Trimble@census.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AWTS is a continuation of similar
wholesale trade surveys conducted each year since 1978 for wholesale
distributors, since 2003 for manufacturers' sales branches and offices
(MSBOs), and since 2005 for agents, brokers and electronic markets
(AGBRs). This survey provides data on annual sales, e-commerce sales,
inventories, and total operating expenses for wholesale distributors
and MSBOs; purchases of goods for sale for wholesale distributors; and
commissions and sales on the account of others for AGBRs.
The Census Bureau will require a selected sample of firms operating
wholesale establishments in the United States (with sales size
determining the probability of selection) to report in the 2006 AWTS.
The sample will provide, with measurable reliability, statistics on the
subjects specified above. We will furnish report forms to the firms
covered by this survey and will require their submission within 30 days
after receipt by mail, fax, or over the Internet, using the Census
Taker option. Census Taker is a software system that provides a highly
secure and user-friendly means of collecting survey and census
information.
The Census Bureau is authorized to take surveys that are necessary
to furnish current data on the subject covered by the censuses
authorized by Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), Sections 182, 224,
and 225. This survey will provide continuing and timely national
statistics data on wholesale trade for the period between economic
censuses. For 2006, the survey will include separate samples for
wholesale distributors, MSBOs and AGBRs companies in the wholesale
sector. The data collected in this survey will be similar and within
the general scope and nature of those in the economic census. The data
collected 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 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, Title 44, U.S.C., Chapter 35, OMB
approved this survey under OMB control number 0607-0195.
Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that an annual survey be
conducted for the purpose of collecting these data.
Dated: October 24, 2006.
Charles Louis Kincannon,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. E6-18075 Filed 10-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P