Annual Wholesale Trade Survey

Federal Register: November 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 213)

Notices

Page 65285-65286

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr03no08-18

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

Docket Number 0810151360-81363-01

Annual Wholesale Trade Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of determination.

SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is conducting the

Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS). The Census Bureau has determined a need to collect data covering annual sales, e-commerce sales, inventories, purchases, commissions, and operating expenses for the wholesale trade sector. These data are important inputs to the Bureau of Economic Analysis's preparation of National Income and Products accounts and its annual input-output tables.

ADDRESSES: The Census Bureau will furnish report forms to organizations 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: Mr. John P. Miller, Chief, Current

Wholesale Branch, Service Sector Statistics Division, at (301) 763- 2758, or by e-mail at John.P.Miller@census.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AWTS is a continuation of similar wholesale trade surveys conducted each year for wholesale distributors; manufacturers' sales branches and offices (MSBOs); and agents, brokers, and electronic markets (AGBRs). This survey provides data on annual sales, e-commerce sales, inventories, and total operating expenses for wholesale distributors and MSBOs, purchases of goods for sale for wholesale distributors, and commissions and sales on the account of others for AGBRs.

The Census Bureau will require a selected sample of firms operating wholesale establishments in the United States (with sales size determining the probability of selection) to report in the

Page 65286

2008 AWTS. The sample will provide, with measurable reliability, statistics on the subjects specified above. We will furnish report forms to the firms covered by this survey and will require their submission within 30 days after receipt by mail, fax, or over the

Internet, using the ``Census Taker'' option. ``Census Taker'' is a software system that provides a highly secure and user-friendly means of collecting survey and census information.

The Census Bureau is authorized to take surveys that are necessary to furnish current data on the subject covered by the censuses authorized by Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), Sections 182, 224, and 225. This survey will provide continuing and timely national statistics data on wholesale trade for the period between economic censuses. For 2008, the survey will include separate samples for wholesale distributors, MSBOs, and AGBRs' companies in the wholesale sector. The data collected in this survey will be similar and within the general scope and nature of those in the economic census. The data collected will provide a sound statistical basis for the formation of policy by various government agencies. These data also apply to a variety of public and business needs.

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, Title 44, U.S.C., Chapter 35, OMB approved this survey under OMB control number 0607-0195.

Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that an annual survey be conducted for the purpose of collecting these data.

Dated: October 28, 2008.

Steve H. Murdock,

Director, Bureau of the Census.

FR Doc. E8-26078 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P