[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63805-63806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26149]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
[Docket Number 100921462-0461-01]
Annual Wholesale Trade Survey
AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of determination.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of the
Census (Census Bureau) publishes this notice to announce that the
Director of the Census Bureau has determined the need to conduct the
2010 Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS). AWTS covers firms with
establishments located in the United States and classified in the
Wholesale Trade Sector as defined by the 2002 North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS). Specifically, AWTS includes wholesale
distributors; manufacturers' sales branches and offices; and agents,
brokers, and electronic markets. Through this survey, the Census Bureau
will collect data on annual sales, e-commerce sales, purchases, total
operating expenses, year-end inventories held both inside and outside
the United States, commissions, total operating revenue, and gross
selling value. These data are collected to provide a sound statistical
basis for the formation of policy by various government agencies. These
data will be available for use for a variety of public and business
needs such as economic and market analysis, company performance, and
forecasting future demand.
ADDRESSES: The Census Bureau will provide report forms to businesses
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 Miller, Service Sector Statistics
Division, on (301) 763-2758 or by e-mail on [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sections 182, 224, and 225 of Title 13 of
the United States Code authorize the Census Bureau to take surveys that
are necessary to produce current data on the subjects covered by the
major censuses. As part of this authorization, the Census Bureau
conducts the AWTS to provide continuing and timely national statistics
data on wholesale trade activity for the period between economic
censuses.
For 2010, the survey will, as it has in the past, consist of a
sample of wholesale distributors; manufacturers' sales branches and
offices; and agent, brokers, and electronic markets. 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 are collected to provide a sound statistical basis
for the formation of policy by various government agencies. These data
will be available for use for a variety of public and business needs
such as economic and market analysis, company performance, and
forecasting future demand.
From wholesale distributors, the Census Bureau will collect data
covering sales, e-commerce sales, year-end inventories held inside and
outside the United States, purchases, and total operating expenses.
From manufacturers' sales branches and offices, the Census Bureau will
collect data covering annual sales, e-commerce sales, year-end
inventories held inside and outside the United States and total
operating expenses. From agents, brokers, and electronic markets, the
Census Bureau will collect data covering commissions, total operating
revenue, gross selling value, and total operating expenses. For more
information on the components of wholesale activity covered under this
survey, please see the North American Industry Classification System
Web site at http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/index.html. The Census
Bureau has determined that the conduct of this survey is necessary as
these data are not available publicly on a timely basis from non-
governmental or other government sources.
The Census Bureau will request a sample of firms engaged in the
three covered wholesale activities to respond to the 2010 AWTS. Firms
are selected for this survey using a stratified random
[[Page 63806]]
sample based on industry groupings and annual sales size. We will
provide report forms to the firms covered by this survey in January
2011 and will require their responses within 30 days after receipt.
Responses to AWTS are required by law (Title 13 U.S.C. Sections 182,
224, and 225). The sample of firms selected will provide, with
measurable reliability, statistics on annual sales, e-commerce sales,
purchases, total operating expenses, year-end inventories held both
inside and outside the Unites States, commissions, total operating
revenue, and gross selling value for 2010.
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, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521, OMB approved
the AWTS under OMB control number 0607-0195.
Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that the annual survey be
conducted for the purpose of collecting these data.
Dated: October 12, 2010.
Robert M. Groves,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 2010-26149 Filed 10-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P