Census should
take steps to improve the tracking of all responses to the Annual
Retail Trade Survey by individual form types. Census should provide
to OMB by Fall 2004 an update of response rate information that
includes total forms mailed (per type of form); total received in
mail; responses received via non= response follow up; total number
of non-respondents. Data should also be provided on the number of
respondents deemed ineligible after the first mailout. Volume or
weighted response rates should also be provided. For any Form with
less than a 70 percent response rate or an 80 percent
coverage/volume rate, Census should provide plans to improve
response rates or discontinue collection if rates do not
improve.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2005
10/31/2005
11/30/2002
22,977
0
23,337
9,299
0
9,437
0
0
0
The Annual Retail Trade Survey
provides the only continuing official measure of annual sales,
purchases, end-of-year inventories, sales/inventory ratios, and
accounts receivable balances. The sales and inventories are used as
benchmarks for the monthly series. These data, along wth purchases,
are also used by he Bureau of Economic Analysis in the computation
of the GDP. The accounts receivable balances are used by the
Federal Reserve Board. Responsses are a sample of retail
establishments in the U.S.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.