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 with
purchases, are also used by the Bureau of Economic Analysis in the
computation of the GDP. The accounts receivable balances are used
by the Federal Reserve Board. Responses 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.