Annual Retail Trade Survey

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

Annual Retail Trade Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public

and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on

proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.

3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions

should be directed to: Ronald L. Piencykoski, Bureau of the Census,

Room 2626-FOB 3, Washington, D.C. 20233-6500, (301) 457-2713.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS) provides a sound statistical

basis for the formation of policy by other government agencies. It

provides continuing and timely national statistics on retail trade

augmenting the period between economic censuses, and is a continuation

of similar retail trade surveys conducted each year since 1951 (except

1954). The data that the Bureau collects with the ARTS, annual sales,

purchases, end-of-year inventories, and accounts receivables are

applicable to a variety of public and business needs. The ARTS sample

consists of all firms operating retail establishments within the U.S.

whose probability of selection is determined by sales size that were

used in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS). An additional panel of

cases, used only in the annual survey, are also canvassed. Estimates

developed in the ARTS are used to benchmark the monthly sales and

inventories series and the firms canvassed in this survey are not

required to maintain additional records since carefully prepared

estimates are acceptable if book figures are not available.

[[Page 6721]]

II. Method of Collection

We will collect this information by mail, FAX and telephone follow-

up.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0607-0013.

Form Number: B-151, B-151A, B-151D, B-153, and B-153D.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Retail businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 23,700.

Estimated Time Per Response: .4142 hrs. (about 25 minutes).

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,817 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondent is

estimated to be $134,002, based on an annual response burden of 9,817

hours and a rate of $13.65 per hour to complete the form.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182, 224,

and 225.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the agency, including whether the information shall have practical

utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;

(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on respondents, including through the use of

automated collection techniques or other forms of information

technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information

collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: February 5, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-3306 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P