Prior to the
commencement of distribution of the Annual Retail Trade Report
forms, the Census Bureau shall provide on its Internet site
prominent links to a set of finalized survey forms, including
instructions and cover letters, comparable to those provided for
the 2007 Economic Census report forms. The final forms and letters
shall reflect any changes in the survey year, OMB number expiration
date, and Census leadership from those submitted for review.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2014
10/31/2014
10/31/2014
21,775
0
21,775
33,416
0
33,416
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 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.
The burden hour estimate is
21,571 hours more than the previously approved ARTS. This increase
is due to three factors: (1) asking for two year of data for the
2011 ARTS, (2) incorporating the detailed operating expense
questions for the 2012 ARTS, and (3) mailing to a larger group of
companies due to being the first year of the sample (subsequent
mail counts should decrease).
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.