Census of

Wholesale Trade

WC92-S-2

SUBJECT SERIES

Measures of Value Produced,

Capital Expenditures,

Depreciable Assets,

and Operating Expenses

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
Many persons participated in the various activities of the 1992 Assets and Expenditures Survey.

The overall planning and review of the census operations were performed by the Economic Census

Staff of the Assistant Director for Economic and Agriculture Censuses.

This report was prepared in the Agriculture and Financial Statistics Division. Bobby E. Russell,

Assistant Chief for Census Programs, Services Division, and Ruth A. Runyan, Assistant Chief for

Financial Statistics, Agriculture and Financial Statistics Division, were responsible for the overall

planning, management, and coordination of the assets and expenditures survey. Planning and

implementation were under the direction of Dennis L. Shoemaker, Economic Planning and

Coordination Division, and Eddie J. Salyers, Chief, Company Statistics Branch, Agriculture and

Financial Statistics Division. Forms design, processing and tabulation procedures, and text were

developed by Sheldon G. Ziman, assisted by Mary Burke Dollar, John P. Seabold, Edward A.

Cottrill, Amy Peregoy, Traci Gillespie-Brown, and Tammy Anderson.

Shirin A. Ahmed and John Guest, Economic Planning and Coordination Division, provided

valuable assistance in coordinating the current survey interface. Sample design and statistical

methodology were developed under the general direction of Howard Hogan, Assistant Chief for

Research and Methodology, Services Division. Estimation and variance methodology was under

the supervision of Patrick Cantwell, Chief, Program Research and Development Branch, assisted

by Timothy Braam.

Coordination of data collection efforts was under the direction of Judith N. Petty, Chief, Data

Preparation Division, assisted by Kenny Miller, Carlene Bottorff, and Michael Lutz.

The computer processing systems were developed and coordinated in the Economic

Statistical Methods and Programming Division, Charles P. Pautler, Jr., Chief. H Ray Dennis, and

Sarah W. Baumgardner, Assistant Chiefs were responsible for the design and implementation of

the computer systems. The computer programs were prepared under the supervision of Barry F.

Sessamen, and Frank Bush, assisted by Laura A. Osborn, Ernesto Matos Jr., Robert S.

Jewett, Clifton D. Exley, Carol Blatt, and Debbie Mullen.

The staff of the Administrative and Customer Services Division, Walter C. Odom, Chief,

performed planning, design, composition, editorial review, and printing planning and procurement

for publications and report forms. Bernadette J. Gayle provided publication coordination and

editing.

Special acknowledgment is also due the many businesses whose cooperation has contributed

to the publication of these data.

If you have any questions concerning the statistics in this report, call 301-763-7596.

Acknowledgments
Census of

Wholesale Trade

WC92-S-2

SUBJECT SERIES

Measures of Value Produced,

Capital Expenditures,

Depreciable Assets,

and Operating Expenses

Issued November 1996

U.S. Department of Commerce

Michael Kantor, Secretary

Economics and Statistics Administration

Everett M. Ehrlich, Under Secretary

for Economic Affairs

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

Martha Farnsworth Riche, Director
AGRICULTURE AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS

DIVISION

Ewen M. Wilson, Chief

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

Martha Farnsworth Riche, Director

Bryant Benton, Deputy Director

Paula J. Schneider, Principal Associate

Director for Programs

Frederick T. Knickerbocker, Associate

Director for Economic Programs

Thomas L. Mesenbourg, Assistant Director

for Economic Programs

ECONOMIC PLANNING AND COORDINATION

DIVISION

John P. Govoni, Chief

ECONOMICS

AND STATISTICS

ADMINISTRATION

Economics and Statistics

Administration

Everett M. Ehrlich, Under Secretary

for Economic Affairs

For sale by Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Introduction to

the Economic Census

PURPOSES AND USES OF THE ECONOMIC

CENSUS

The economic census is the major source of facts about

the structure and functioning of the Nation’s economy. It

provides essential information for government, business,

industry, and the general public.

The economic census furnishes an important part of the

framework for such composite measures as the gross

domestic product, input/output measures, production and

price indexes, and other statistical series that measure

short-term changes in economic conditions.

Policymaking agencies of the Federal Government use

the data, especially in monitoring economic activity and

providing assistance to business.

State and local governments use the data to assess

business activities and tax bases within their jurisdictions

and to develop programs to attract business.

Trade associations study trends in their own and competing industries and keep their members informed of

market changes.

Individual businesses use the data to locate potential

markets and to analyze their own production and sales

performance relative to industry or area averages.

AUTHORITY AND SCOPE

Title 13 of the United States Code (sections 131, 191,

and 224) directs the Census Bureau to take the economic

census every 5 years, covering years ending in 2 and 7.

The 1992 Economic Census consists of the following eight

censuses:

x Census of Retail Trade

x Census of Wholesale Trade

x Census of Service Industries

x Census of Financial, Insurance, and Real Estate

Industries

x Census of Transportation, Communications, and

Utilities

x Census of Manufactures

x Census of Mineral Industries

x Census of Construction Industries

Special programs also cover enterprise statistics and

minority-owned and women-owned businesses. (The 1992

Census of Agriculture and 1992 Census of Governments

are conducted separately.) The next economic census is

scheduled to be taken in 1998 covering the year 1997.

AVAILABILITY OF THE DATA

The results of the economic census are available in

printed reports for sale by the U.S. Government Printing

Office and on compact discs for sale by the Census

Bureau. Order forms for all types of products are available

on request from Customer Services, Bureau of the Census,

Washington, DC 20233-8300. A more complete description

of publications being issued from this census is on the

inside back cover of this document.

Census facts are also widely disseminated by trade

associations, business journals, and newspapers. Volumes

containing census statistics are available in most major

public and college libraries. Finally, State data centers in

every State as well as business and industry data centers

in many States also supply economic census statistics.

WHAT’S NEW IN 1992

The 1992 Economic Census covers more of the economy

than any previous census. New for 1992 are data on

communications, utilities, financial, insurance, and real

estate, as well as coverage of more transportation industries. The economic, agriculture, and governments censuses now collectively cover nearly 98 percent of all

economic activity.

Among other changes, new 1992 definitions affect the

boundaries of about a third of all metropolitan areas. Also,

the Survey of Women-Owned Businesses has now been

expanded to include all corporations.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

The economic census has been taken as an integrated

program at 5-year intervals since 1967 and before that for

1963, 1958, and 1954. Prior to that time, the individual

subcomponents of the economic census were taken separately at varying intervals.

The economic census traces its beginnings to the 1810

Decennial Census, when questions on manufacturing were

included with those for population. Coverage of economic

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES INTRODUCTION III
activities was expanded for 1840 and subsequent censuses to include mining and some commercial activities. In

1902, Congress established a permanent Census Bureau

and directed that a census of manufactures be taken every

5 years. The 1905 Manufactures Census was the first time

a census was taken apart from the regular every-10-year

population census.

The first census of business was taken in 1930, covering

1929. Initially it covered retail and wholesale trade and

construction industries, but it was broadened in 1933 to

include some of the service trades.

The 1954 Economic Census was the first census to be

fully integrated—providing comparable census data across

economic sectors, using consistent time periods, concepts,

definitions, classifications, and reporting units. It was the

first census to be taken by mail, using lists of firms provided

by the administrative records of other Federal agencies.

Since 1963, administrative records also have been used to

provide basic statistics for very small firms, reducing or

eliminating the need to send them census questionnaires.

The Enterprise Statistics Program, which publishes combined data from the economic census, was made possible

with the implementation of the integrated census program

in 1954.

The range of industries covered in the economic censuses has continued to expand. The census of construction

industries began on a regular basis in 1967, and the scope

of service industries was broadened in 1967, 1977, and

1987. The census of transportation began in 1963 as a set

of surveys covering travel, transportation of commodities,

and trucks, but expanded in 1987 to cover business

establishments in several transportation industries. For

1992, these statistics are incorporated into a broadened

census of transportation, communications, and utilities.

Also new for 1992 is the census of financial, insurance, and

real estate industries. This is part of a gradual expansion in

coverage of industries previously subjected to government

regulation.

The Survey of Minority-Owned Business Enterprises

was first conducted as a special project in 1969 and was

incorporated into the economic census in 1972 along with

the Survey of Women-Owned Businesses.

An economic census has also been taken in Puerto Rico

since 1909, in the Virgin Islands of the United States and

Guam since 1958, and in the Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands since 1982.

Statistical reports from the 1987 and earlier censuses

provide historical figures for the study of long-term time

series and are available in some large libraries. All of the

census data published since 1967 are still available for sale

on microfiche from the Census Bureau.

AVAILABILITY OF MORE FREQUENT ECONOMIC

DATA

While the census provides complete enumerations every

5 years, there are many needs for more frequent data as

well. The Census Bureau conducts a number of monthly,

quarterly, and annual surveys, with the results appearing in

publication series such as Current Business Reports (retail

and wholesale trade and service industries), the Annual

Survey of Manufactures, Current Industrial Reports, and

the Quarterly Financial Report. Most of these surveys,

while providing more frequent observations, yield less

kind-of-business and geographic detail than the census.

The County Business Patterns program offers annual

statistics on the number of establishments, employment,

and payroll classified by industry within each county.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

More information about the scope, coverage, classification system, data items, and publications for each of the

economic censuses and related surveys is published in the

Guide to the 1992 Economic Census and Related Statistics. More information on the methodology, procedures,

and history of the census will be published in the History of

the 1992 Economic Census. Contact Customer Services

for information on availability.

IV INTRODUCTION WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
Assets and Expenditures Survey

GENERAL

This report, which was prepared in conjunction with the

1992 Census of Wholesale Trade, provides data on selected

characteristics of merchant wholesalers, including measures of value produced, capital expenditures, depreciable

assets, and operating expenses.

Data in this report are based on information collected

from a probability sample of merchant wholesalers used to

produce monthly national estimates of wholesale sales

published in the Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey.A description of the survey methodology, estimating procedures, and

concepts is presented in appendix A.

The 1992 statistics are summarized by kind-of-business

classifications based on the Standard Industrial Classification Manual: 1987 (SIC). This report covers all merchant

wholesale operations in the Nation. All major kinds of

business in which merchant wholesalers operate are represented and are described in appendix A.

DOLLAR VALUES

All dollar values presented in this report are expressed

in current dollars; i.e., 1992 data are expressed in 1992

dollars

SPECIAL TABULATIONS AND UNPUBLISHED

DATA

Special tabulations of data collected in the 1992 Assets

and Expenditures Survey may be obtained, depending on

availability of time and personnel, on computer disk, or in

tabular form. The data will be in summary form and subject

to the same rules prohibiting disclosure of confidential

information (including name, address, kind of business,

or other data for individual business establishments or

companies) as are the regular publications.

Special tabulations are prepared on a cost basis. A

request for a cost estimate, as well as exact specifications

on the type and format of the data to be provided, should

be directed to the Chief, Agriculture and Financial Statistics

Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233.

To discuss a special tabulation before submitting specifications, call 301-763-7596.

Some estimates have not been published in this report

because their sampling variability or imputation is so high

as to make them potentially misleading. Some unpublished

data can be derived directly by subtracting appropriate

published data from their respective totals. However, the

figures obtained by such subtraction would be subject to

high sampling variability described above for unpublished

kinds of business, and their use would be subject to the

same hazards. Unpublished data may be obtained upon

request from the Chief, Agriculture and Financial Statistics

Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233.

ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

The following abbreviations and symbols are used in this

publication:

* Measure of sampling variability not shown

since estimated data not published.

– Represents zero.

(M) Less than $500,000.

(NA) Not available.

(S) Withheld because estimates did not meet

publication standards on the basis of either

response rate, associated relative standard

error, or consistency review.

(V) Less than .05 percent.

(X) Not applicable.

n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified.

pt. Part.

SIC Standard industrial classification.

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES CENSUS OF WHOLESALE TRADE V
Users’ Guide for Locating Statistics in This Report

by Table Number

Information shown in tables

Table

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Sales ....................................... X X X X X

Purchases................................... X X

Cost of goods sold ........................... X X

Inventories .................................. X

Gross margin ................................ X X

Value added ................................. X X

Net income produced at market prices .......... X X

Net income produced at factor cost............. X X

Acquisition value of depreciable assets

at end of 1992 .............................. X X X X X

Buildings and structures..................... X X

Machinery and equipment ................... X X

Acquisition value of depreciable assets

at end of 1991 .............................. X X X X

Buildings and structures..................... X X

Machinery and equipment ................... X X

Deductions from depreciable assets ............ X

Capital expenditures (other than land) .......... X X X X X

Used capital expenditures ................... X X

New capital expenditures.................... X X

New buildings and structures ................ X

New highway vehicles ...................... X

New computer hardware and data

processing equipment ..................... X

All other capital expenditures ................ X

Annual payroll ............................... X X X X X X

Employer cost for fringe benefits ............... X X X

Legally required expenditures ................ X X

Voluntary expenditures...................... X X

Taxes and license fees........................ X

Depreciation charges ......................... X X

Buildings and structures..................... X

Machinery and equipment ................... X

Lease and rental payments.................... X X

Buildings and structures..................... X

Machinery and equipment ................... X

Purchased electricity.......................... X X

Purchased fuels.............................. X X

Miscellaneous utilities ......................... X X

Communication services ...................... X

Office supplies ............................... X

Packaging and shipping materials .............. X

Advertising services .......................... X

Commissions paid............................ X

Payments for contract work.................... X X

VI USERS’ GUIDE WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
Information shown in tables

Table

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Legal services ............................... X

Accounting services .......................... X

Data processing.............................. X

Repairs ..................................... X X

Buildings and structures..................... X

Machinery and equipment ................... X

Other operating expenses ..................... X

Total operating expenses...................... X X X X X X

Estimated relative standard errors .............. X

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES USERS’ GUIDE VII
Users’ Guide for Locating Statistics in the

1992 Census of Wholesale Trade Reports

Report and geographic area

Information shown in reports by kind of business or industry category

Number

of establishments

Sales

($1,000)

Payroll

($1,000)

Number

of employees

Inventories

($1,000)

Operating

expenses

($1,000)

Commodity

line

sales

($1,000)

Sales

size and

employment

size1

Legal

form of

organization

Petroleum

bulk stations and

terminals

Selected

topics

GEOGRAPHIC AREA

SERIES

United States .............. XXXXXX

State...................... XXXXXX

MA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . XXXX

County ................... .XXXX

Place .................... .XXXX

ESTABLISHMENT AND

FIRM SIZE (INCLUDING

LEGAL FORM OF

ORGANIZATION)

United States .............. X X 2

X 2X 2X 2X XX

MEASURES OF VALUE

PRODUCED, CAPITAL

EXPENDITURES,

DEPRECIABLE ASSETS,

AND OPERATING

EXPENSES

United States2 ............. X X X X X 3

X

COMMODITY LINE SALES

United States .............. X X X

State4..................... X X X

MA4 ...................... X X X

MISCELLANEOUS

SUBJECTS

United States .............. XXXXXX X 5

X

State...................... X X

County .................... X X

1

Establishments and firms.

2

Merchant wholesalers only.

3

Value produced, capital expenditures, depreciable assets, and selected operating expenses detail.

4

Available on CD ROM only.

5

Class of customer; employment by principal activity; detailed type of operation; inventory detail; commissions of agents and brokers; and gross

margins, gross profits, and their components of merchant wholesalers.

VIII USERS’ GUIDE WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
Contents

Measures of Value Produced,

Capital Expenditures,

Depreciable Assets,

and Operating Expenses

[Page numbers listed here omit the prefix that

appears as part of the number of each page]

Page

Introduction to the Economic Census III ...............................................

Assets and Expenditures Survey V ...................................................

Users’ Guide for Locating Statistics in This Report by Table Number VI ...................

Users’ Guide for Locating Statistics in the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade Reports VIII .....

Summary of Findings............................................................. 2

FIGURES

1. Distribution of Capital Expenditures of Merchant Wholesalers by Type: 1992 4 ....... 2. Fringe Benefits as Percent of Annual Payroll of Selected Wholesale Industries:

1992 ..................................................................... 5

3. Measures of Value Produced for Merchant Wholesalers: 1992 6 ...................

TABLES

1. General Statistics: 1992 7 .....................................................

2. Capital Expenditures and Acquisition Value of Depreciable Assets by Kind of

Business: 1992............................................................ 7

3. Detailed Capital Expenditures by Kind of Business: 1992 8 ........................

4. Detailed Acquisition Value of Depreciable Assets, Depreciation Charges, and Lease

and Rental Payments by Kind of Business: 1992 8 ...............................

5. Sales, Annual Payroll, and Employer Costs for Fringe Benefits by Kind of Business:

1992 ..................................................................... 9

6. Annual Payroll and Employer Costs for Fringe Benefits by Legal Form of

Organization and Kind of Business: 1992 9 .....................................

7. Operating Expenses by Type and Kind of Business: 1992 10 .......................

8. Detailed Purchased Utilities by Kind of Business: 1992 11 ..........................

9. Detailed Repair Services by Kind of Business: 1992 12 .............................

10. Sales, Cost of Goods Sold, and Measures of Value Produced by Kind of Business:

1992 ..................................................................... 12

11. Sales, Cost of Goods Sold, Measures of Value Produced, and Annual Payroll by

Legal Form of Organization: 1992 13 ............................................

12. Acquisition Value of Depreciable Assets, Capital Expenditures, Sales and Total

Operating Expenses of Corporations by Kind of Business: 1992 13 .................

13. Estimated Relative Standard Errors by Kind of Business: 1992 14 ...................

APPENDIXES

A. General Explanation A–1 ........................................................ B. Sample Report Form B–1 ........................................................ C. Changes in Wholesale Trade Kind~of~Business Classifications for 1992 C–1 ............

Publication Program Inside back cover ...................................................

WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES ASSETS AND EXPENDITURESnn2–1
Summary of Findings

Total sales in 1992 of all merchant wholesalers (including manufacturers’ sales branches of ferrous metal service

centers) amounted to $1.8 trillion. Comparisons to 1987

sales data for individual kinds of business can be made

using the Census of Wholesale Trade, Geographic Area

Series—United States Summary reports for the 2 years.

The total cost of merchandise purchased for resale in 1992

(net of returns, allowances, and trade and cash discounts)

totaled $1.5 trillion, or 79.9 percent of total sales.

Beginning inventories for merchant wholesalers in 1992

amounted to $201.8 billion with ending inventories of

$209.7 billion. Total sales, purchases, and inventories are

integral parts of the measures of value produced summarized below. Note that some data presented in this report

are not directly comparable to those in the 1987 report due

to changes in kind-of-business classifications.

MEASURES OF VALUE PRODUCED

The gross margin of merchant wholesalers, which represents total sales less cost of goods sold, amounted to

$380.5 billion in 1992. Value added, derived by deducting

from gross margin the cost of office supplies, postage,

electricity, fuels, packaging materials, and the cost of

contract work done on materials owned by merchant

wholesalers, amounted to $362.2 billion, representing 19.6

percent of total sales. Subtracting all other purchased

services from value added yields net income produced at

market prices of $255.3 billion, or 13.8 percent of total

sales. This amount less depreciation, license fees, and

taxes (excluding income, payroll, and sales taxes) represents net income produced at factor cost of $235.9 billion,

or 12.8 percent of total sales.

As a percent of sales, measures of value produced were

generally higher for durable goods than for nondurable

goods in 1992. Durable goods wholesalers reported a

gross margin of 25.0 percent of sales, compared with 16.3

percent for nondurable goods wholesalers. Net income

produced at market prices amounted to 16.8 percent of

sales for durable goods, compared to 10.9 percent for

nondurable goods. Likewise, net income produced at factor

cost was higher for durable goods, 15.6 percent of sales,

compared to 10.0 percent for nondurable goods.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Total capital expenditures for depreciable assets of

merchant wholesalers amounted to $18.0 billion in 1992.

Expenditures of $16.6 billion for new facilities, structures,

and equipment in 1992 accounted for 92.1 percent of the

total. Capital expenditures in the durable goods trade

totaled $9.7 billion in 1992, while those for nondurable

goods wholesalers amounted to $8.3 billion.

DEPRECIABLE ASSETS

The gross (acquisition) value of depreciable assets of

merchant wholesalers amounted to $161.9 billion at the

end of 1991. After adding capital expenditures and deducting assets sold, retired, scrapped, and destroyed, the year

1992 ended with the gross value of depreciable assets

amounting to $173.3 billion, representing a 7.0 percent

annual increase.

The kinds of business representing the highest value of

depreciable assets at the end of 1992 were groceries and

related products, with $23.5 billion; and machinery, equipment, and supplies, with $18.5 billion.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Total operating expenses of merchant wholesalers amounted

to $317.8 billion in 1992. Durable goods wholesalers

accounted for $190.0 billion, and $127.8 billion were attributable to nondurable goods wholesalers. The following

summarizes the findings for specific types of operating

expenses.

Supplemental labor costs (employer cost for fringe

benefits). Total supplemental labor costs for merchant

wholesalers amounted to $28.4 billion in 1992. Legally

required supplemental labor costs such as employers’

social security contributions, unemployment tax, workers’

compensation insurance, and State disability insurance

programs amounted to $14.4 billion, or 50.7 percent of the

total. Voluntary labor costs, such as insurance premiums

on hospital and medical plans, pension plans, and stock

purchase plans, amounted to $14.0 billion, or 49.3 percent

of total supplemental labor costs.

Depreciation charges. Depreciation and amortization

charges against depreciable assets totaled $14.4 billion in

1992. Buildings and structures accounted for $2.8 billion,

or 19.5 percent of the total, while machinery and equipment

amounted to the remaining $11.6 billion, or 80.5 percent.

2–2 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
Lease and rental payments. Lease and rental payments

in 1992 were $16.7 billion for merchant wholesalers representing 5.2 percent of total operating expenses. Of these

payments, $12.6 billion were for buildings, other structures,

and office space and $4.0 billion were for machinery and

equipment.

Communication and utility expenses. Communication

services purchased by merchant wholesalers amounted to

$6.4 billion, while purchased electricity totaled $3.9 billion

and purchased fuels amounted to $1.3 billion. As a percent

of total operating expenses, these utility costs represented

2.0 percent, 1.2 percent, and 0.4 percent, respectively.

Note that these data represent only utilities which were

purchased by firms in 1992, and exclude those utility costs

which were part of normal lease and rental payments or

franchise fees.

Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses of

merchant wholesalers in 1992 included $10.9 billion for

advertising; $7.6 billion for sales commissions paid to

others; and $5.5 billion for noncapitalized repair to buildings, machinery, and equipment.

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 2–3
Figure 1.

Distribution of Capital Expenditures of Merchant Wholesalers by Type: 1992

Used structures

and equipment

(7%)

Other new machinery

and equipment

(49%)

New computers and data

processing equipment

(14%)

New structures

(16%)

New vehicles

(14%)

Durable goods wholesalers

Nondurable goods wholesalers

2-4 ASSETS AND EXPENDITURES WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES

Used structures

and equipment

(9%)

New computers and data

processing equipment

(9%)

New structures

(24%)

New vehicles

(19%) Other new machinery

and equipment

(39%)

Note: Data are subject to sampling variability.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1992 Assets and Expenditures Survey.
Figure 2.

Fringe Benefits as Percent of Annual Payroll of Selected Wholesale Industries: 1992

(Percent)

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES ASSETS AND EXPENDITURES 2-5

Motor vehicles and motor

vehicle parts and supplies

(SIC 501)

Furniture and home

furnishings

(SIC 502)

Professional and

commercial equipment and

supplies (SIC 504)

Metals and minerals, except

petroleum

(SIC 505)

Electrical goods

(SIC 506)

Paper and paper

products (SIC 511)

Groceries and related

products (SIC 514)

Farm-product raw materials

(SIC 515)

Petroleum and petroleum

products (SIC 517)

10.4 12.0

9.6 8.2

8.5 8.2

11.1 13.6

8.2 10.4

8.0 9.3

12.0 11.3

11.3 12.0

11.1 8.8

22.4

17.8

16.7

24.7

18.6

17.3

23.3

23.3

19.9

Note: Data are subject to sampling variability. Data are based on the 1987

Standard Industrial Classification.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1992 Assets and Expenditures Survey.

Legally required benefits

Voluntary benefits

11.2 10.6 21.8 Beer, wine, and distilled

alcoholic beverages (SIC 518)
Figure 3.

Measures of Value Produced for Merchant Wholesalers: 1992

(Dollar amounts are in millions)

2-6 ASSETS AND EXPENDITURES WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES

Sales less cost of

goods sold (beginning

inventory+ purchases –

ending inventory)

Gross margin equals—

Gross margin less office

supplies, stationery,

postage; electricity; fuels;

contract work

Value added less lease and

rental; communications;

advertising; repairs;

commissions; other (excluding

taxes, depreciation, and

interest on loans)

Net income produced at

market prices less taxes;

depreciation charges

226,992

145,167

152,675

102,615

142,083

93,799

153,538

217,060

Note: Data are subject to sampling variability.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1992 Assets and Expenditures Survey.

Value added equals—

Net income produced at

market prices equals—

Net income produced

at factor cost equals—

Durables

Nondurables
Table 1. General Statistics: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Inventories1 Acquisition value of

depreciable assets

Sales

Purchases of

merchandise

for resale

End of

1992

End of

1991

Operating

expenses1 Annualpayroll1 End of1992

End of

1991

Capital

expenditures

(other than

land)

Merchant wholesalers2 ................ 1 849 798 1 477 166 209 675 201 777 317 813 144 792 173 269 161 942 18 030

50 Durable goods stores2 ........................ 908 916 686 047 130 044 125 921 190 043 88 120 89 987 84 344 9 687

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 170 .................................... 849 137 886 24 195 24 213 26 402 10 119 13 934 13 160 1 094

502 Furniture and home furnishings 33 ................ 200 21 600 4 776 4 515 9 681 4 425 3 627 3 333 358

503 Lumber and other construction materials 63 ........ 765 49 146 6 168 5 755 12 026 6 030 6 579 6 360 622

504 Professional and commercial equipment and

supplies 139 .................................... 629 96 708 17 094 16 841 37 726 17 896 11 627 10 946 1 679

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum2......... 76 745 61 045 10 101 10 127 11 717 5 483 9 848 9 420 747

506 Electrical goods 115 .............................. 387 88 069 17 110 16 047 22 294 10 045 11 005 9 828 1 561

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment

and supplies 53 ................................ 063 38 786 8 707 8 286 12 640 6 697 4 428 4 159 462

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 149 ............ 216 107 780 29 333 29 012 38 528 19 406 18 458 17 221 2 164

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 107 .................. 063 85 027 12 560 11 125 19 030 8 020 10 481 9 918 1 000

51 Nondurable goods2 ........................... 940 882 791 119 79 631 75 856 127 769 56 671 83 281 77 598 8 343

511 Paper and paper products 54 ..................... 802 42 904 5 697 5 298 10 993 5 801 3 712 3 440 379

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries 67 . 069 60 897 9 334 8 002 5 326 2 361 2 213 1 828 (S)

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 67 .............. 905 49 277 10 805 9 595 15 207 5 864 4 222 4 001 410

514 Groceries and related products 279 ................ 217 238 400 16 582 16 142 36 997 16 901 23 541 22 086 2 315

515 Farm~product raw materials2................... 106 224 96 066 10 792 10 859 7 460 2 731 11 405 10 800 748

516 Chemicals and allied products 39 ................. 170 29 820 3 193 3 014 7 983 3 577 6 546 5 859 862

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 142 ............. 651 129 785 4 572 4 691 10 611 4 332 12 497 11 699 1 306

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages 50 ..... 397 38 118 4 044 4 335 8 525 3 938 4 166 3 827 (S)

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 133 ............... 446 105 852 14 612 13 920 24 666 11 166 14 978 14 058 1 423

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. See table 13 for estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation).

1Inventories, operating expenses, and payroll data are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

Table 2. Capital Expenditures and Acquisition Value of Depreciable Assets by Kind of

Business: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Acquisition value of depreciable assets

End of 1992 End of 1991

Capital expenditures

(other than land)

Total

Buildings,

structures,

and related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other Total

Buildings,

structures,

and related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other Total New Used

Deductions

from

depreciable

assets

in 1992

Merchant wholesalers1 ................... 173 269 56 471 116 798 161 942 53 293 108 650 18 030 16 601 1 429 6 764

50 Durable goods stores1 ............................ 89 987 27 550 62 437 84 344 26 142 58 202 9 687 9 030 657 4 104

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and supplies 13 ... 934 (S) 7 463 13 160 (S) 7 014 1 094 1 031 (S) 321

502 Furniture and home furnishings 3 ................... 627 (S) (S) 3 333 (S) (S) 358 309 (S) 65 503 Lumber and other construction materials 6 ........... 579 2 035 4 544 6 360 1 917 4 443 622 588 (S) 402

504 Professional and commercial equipment and

supplies 11 ....................................... 627 2 825 8 803 10 946 2 786 8 160 1 679 1 639 41 1 058 505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1 ............ 9 848 2 567 7 280 9 420 2 531 6 888 747 676 (S) (S)

506 Electrical goods 11 ................................. 005 3 666 7 338 9 828 3 292 6 537 1 561 1 452 (S) 385

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and

supplies 4 ....................................... 428 1 710 2 718 4 159 1 517 2 643 462 437 26 194 508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 18 ............... 458 4 945 13 514 17 221 4 742 12 479 2 164 2 013 (S) 926

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 10 ..................... 481 2 190 8 291 9 918 2 179 7 739 1 000 887 (S) (S)

51 Nondurable goods1............................... 83 281 28 921 54 360 77 598 27 151 50 447 8 343 7 571 772 2 660

511 Paper and paper products 3 ........................ 712 1 126 2 587 3 440 974 2 466 379 346 (S) 106

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries 2 .... 213 (S) 1 420 1 828 566 1 263 (S) (S) 14 (S)

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 4 ................. 222 1 481 2 741 4 001 1 391 2 610 410 372 (S) 189

514 Groceries and related products 23 .................... 541 7 682 15 859 22 086 7 642 14 444 2 315 2 138 (S) 859

515 Farm~product raw materials1 ...................... 11 405 5 259 6 146 10 800 5 093 5 707 748 590 (S) 144

516 Chemicals and allied products 6 ..................... 546 1 956 4 590 5 859 1 598 4 262 862 835 (S) 175

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 12 ................ 497 3 904 8 593 11 699 3 677 8 022 1 306 1 206 (S) (S)

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages 4 ........ 166 1 507 2 659 3 827 1 439 2 388 (S) (S) (S) (S)

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 14 .................. 978 5 213 9 765 14 058 4 772 9 286 1 423 1 249 (S) (S)

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. See table 13 for estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation). Value of assets at end of 1991 plus 1992 capital

expenditures minus asset deductions may not necessarily equal the value of assets at end of 1992 due to corporate mergers, exchange of stock, and other noncategorized acquisitions, not shown

separately.

1Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES ASSETS AND EXPENDITURESnn2–7
Table 3. Detailed Capital Expenditures by Kind of Business: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Capital expenditures (other than land)

New capital expenditures

Total Total

Buildings,

structures,

and related

facilities

Highway

vehicles

Computer

hardware

and data

processing

equipment All other

Used buildings,

structures,

machinery,

equipment,

and other

depreciable

assets acquired

from others

Merchant wholesalers1 ................... 18 030 16 601 3 571 2 949 2 119 7 962 1 429

50 Durable goods stores1 ............................ 9 687 9 030 1 536 1 398 1 365 4 732 657

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and supplies 1 ... 094 1 031 (S) 188 (S) 334 (S)

502 Furniture and home furnishings 358 ................... 309 (S) (S) (S) (S) (S)

503 Lumber and other construction materials 622 ........... 588 (S) 198 33 270 (S)

504 Professional and commercial equipment and

supplies 1 ....................................... 679 1 639 (S) (S) 331 847 41

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1 ............ 747 676 99 78 49 450 (S)

506 Electrical goods 1 ................................. 561 1 452 311 84 157 900 (S)

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and

supplies 462 ....................................... 437 99 105 78 154 26

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 2 ............... 164 2 013 151 410 (S) (S) (S)

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 1 ..................... 000 887 123 140 132 493 (S)

51 Nondurable goods1............................... 8 343 7 571 2 035 1 551 754 3 231 772

511 Paper and paper products 379 ........................ 346 57 70 73 145 (S)

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries (S) .... (S) (S) (S) 75 99 14

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 410 ................. 372 80 (S) 58 219 (S)

514 Groceries and related products 2 .................... 315 2 138 557 521 217 842 (S)

515 Farm~product raw materials1 ...................... 748 590 186 66 40 297 (S)

516 Chemicals and allied products 862 ..................... 835 (S) 104 38 351 (S)

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 1 ................ 306 1 206 323 225 59 600 (S)

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages (S) ........ (S) (S) (S) 36 92 (S)

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 1 .................. 423 1 249 180 327 157 (S) (S)

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. See table 13 for estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation).

1Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

Table 4. Detailed Acquisition Value of Depreciable Assets, Depreciation Charges, and Lease

and Rental Payments by Kind of Business: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Acquisition value of depreciable assets

End of 1992 End of 1991

Depreciation charges in 1992 Lease and rental payments

Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other

Merchant wholesalers1 ........... 173 269 56 471 116 798 161 942 53 293 108 650 14 420 2 811 11 608 16 651 12 645 4 006

50 Durable goods stores1 ................... 89 987 27 550 62 437 84 344 26 142 58 202 8 110 1 402 6 707 9 810 7 900 1 910

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 13 .............................. 934 (S) 7 463 13 160 (S) 7 014 1 126 290 836 1 291 1 074 217 502 Furniture and home furnishings 3 ........... 627 (S) (S) 3 333 (S) (S) 265 44 221 634 570 65 503 Lumber and other construction materials 6 ... 579 2 035 4 544 6 360 1 917 4 443 522 103 418 763 581 182 504 Professional and commercial equipment

and supplies 11 .......................... 627 2 825 8 803 10 946 2 786 8 160 1 351 214 1 137 1 716 1 463 254 505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1 ... 9 848 2 567 7 280 9 420 2 531 6 888 675 94 582 570 384 186

506 Electrical goods 11 ........................ 005 3 666 7 338 9 828 3 292 6 537 963 160 803 1 028 775 253

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 4 ................ 428 1 710 2 718 4 159 1 517 2 643 382 86 296 847 702 146

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 18 ....... 458 4 945 13 514 17 221 4 742 12 479 1 858 290 1 568 1 830 1 430 399

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 10 ............. 481 2 190 8 291 9 918 2 179 7 739 967 121 846 1 131 922 209

51 Nondurable goods1 ...................... 83 281 28 921 54 360 77 598 27 151 50 447 6 311 1 410 4 901 6 841 4 745 2 096

511 Paper and paper products 3 ............... 712 1 126 2 587 3 440 974 2 466 317 45 271 662 539 123 512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries 2 .............................. 213 (S) 1 420 1 828 566 1 263 213 (S) 171 248 192 56

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 4 ........ 222 1 481 2 741 4 001 1 391 2 610 400 87 313 870 772 98 514 Groceries and related products 23 ........... 541 7 682 15 859 22 086 7 642 14 444 1 997 386 1 610 1 947 1 071 876 515 Farm~product raw materials1 ............. 11 405 5 259 6 146 10 800 5 093 5 707 564 230 334 283 151 132

516 Chemicals and allied products 6 ............ 546 1 956 4 590 5 859 1 598 4 262 536 107 428 396 273 123

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 12 ........ 497 3 904 8 593 11 699 3 677 8 022 886 226 660 628 448 180

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 4 ............................ 166 1 507 2 659 3 827 1 439 2 388 322 70 251 405 248 157 519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 14 ......... 978 5 213 9 765 14 058 4 772 9 286 1 077 216 862 1 402 1 051 351

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. See table 13 for estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation).

1Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

2–8nnASSETS AND EXPENDITURES WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES
Table 5. Sales, Annual Payroll, and Employer Costs for Fringe Benefits by Kind of Business:

1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Employer costs for fringe benefits Annual payroll as percent

ofm

Employer costs for fringe

benefits as percent ofm

Sales

Operating

expenses1 Annual

payroll2 Total

Legally

required

expend~

itures

Voluntary

expend~

itures Sales

Operating

expenses

Operating

expenses

Annual

payroll

Merchant wholesalers3 ................. 1 849 798 317 813 144 792 28 373 14 384 13 989 7.8 45.6 8.9 19.6

50 Durable goods stores3 ......................... 908 916 190 043 88 120 17 014 8 542 8 472 9.7 46.4 9.0 19.3

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and supplies 170 . 849 26 402 10 119 2 264 1 050 1 215 5.9 38.3 8.6 22.4 502 Furniture and home furnishings 33 ................. 200 9 681 4 425 787 426 361 13.3 45.7 8.1 17.8 503 Lumber and other construction materials 63 ......... 765 12 026 6 030 1 176 678 497 9.5 50.1 9.8 19.5 504 Professional and commercial equipment and

supplies 139 .................................... 629 37 726 17 896 2 984 1 515 1 469 12.8 47.4 7.9 16.7 505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum3 ......... 76 745 11 717 5 483 1 352 607 745 7.1 46.8 11.5 24.7 506 Electrical goods 115 .............................. 387 22 294 10 045 1 871 825 1 046 8.7 45.1 8.4 18.6 507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment

and supplies 53 ................................ 063 12 640 6 697 1 236 662 574 12.6 53.0 9.8 18.5 508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 149 ............. 216 38 528 19 406 3 987 1 970 2 016 13.0 50.4 10.3 20.5 509 Miscellaneous durable goods 107 ................... 063 19 030 8 020 1 357 808 548 7.5 42.1 7.1 16.9

51 Nondurable goods3 ............................ 940 882 127 769 56 671 11 359 5 842 5 517 6.0 44.4 8.9 20.0

511 Paper and paper products 54 ..................... 802 10 993 5 801 1 005 463 541 10.6 52.8 9.1 17.3 512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries 67 . 069 5 326 2 361 413 206 207 3.5 44.3 7.8 17.5 513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 67 .............. 905 15 207 5 864 960 488 472 8.6 38.6 6.3 16.4 514 Groceries and related products 279 ................. 217 36 997 16 901 3 938 2 029 1 910 6.1 45.7 10.6 23.3 515 Farm~product raw materials3 ................... 106 224 7 460 2 731 637 310 328 2.6 36.6 8.5 23.3 516 Chemicals and allied products 39 .................. 170 7 983 3 577 703 331 372 9.1 44.8 8.8 19.7 517 Petroleum and petroleum products 142 .............. 651 10 611 4 332 863 479 384 3.0 40.8 8.1 19.9 518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages 50 ...... 397 8 525 3 938 859 439 419 7.8 46.2 10.1 21.8 519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 133 ............... 446 24 666 11 166 1 980 1 097 884 8.4 45.3 8.0 17.7

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. For estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation) see explanation in appendix A for percentage columns and table

13 for other columns.

1Operating expenses are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2Payroll data are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

3Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

Table 6. Annual Payroll and Employer Costs for Fringe Benefits by Legal Form of Organization

and Kind of Business: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Legal form of organization and kind of business1

Employer costs for fringe benefits

Annual payroll1 Total

Legally required

expenditures

Voluntary

expenditures

Employer costs for

fringe benefits as

percent of

annual payroll

Merchant wholesalers2 ............................ 144 792 28 373 14 384 13 989 19.6

Corporations 139 ............................................... 308 27 275 13 786 13 490 19.6

All other ................................................... 5 484 1 098 599 500 20.0

50 Durable goods2 ....................................... 88 120 17 014 8 542 8 472 19.3

Corporations 85 ............................................... 002 16 439 8 230 8 210 19.3

All other ................................................... 3 119 575 313 (S) 18.4

51 Nondurable goods2.................................... 56 671 11 359 5 842 5 517 20.0

Corporations 54 ............................................... 306 10 836 5 556 5 280 20.0

All other ................................................... 2 365 523 286 237 22.1

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. For estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation) see explanation in appendix A for percentage columns and table 13 for other columns.

1Payroll data are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES ASSETS AND EXPENDITURESnn2–9
Table 7. Operating Expenses by Type and by Kind of Business: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC

code Kind of business

Annual payroll2 Employer costs

for fringe benefits

Taxes and

license fees

Depreciation and

amortization

charges

Lease and

rental payments

Operating

expenses1 Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent

Merchant wholesalers4 ..... 317 813 144 792 45.6 28 373 8.9 4 988 1.6 14 420 4.5 16 651 5.2

50 Durable goods stores4 .............. 190 043 88 120 46.4 17 014 9.0 2 483 1.3 8 110 4.3 9 810 5.2

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts

and supplies 26 ..................... 402 10 119 38.3 2 264 8.6 358 1.4 1 126 4.3 1 291 4.9

502 Furniture and home furnishings 9 ..... 681 4 425 45.7 787 8.1 (S) (S) 265 2.7 634 6.6

503 Lumber and other construction

materials 12 ........................ 026 6 030 50.1 1 176 9.8 150 1.2 522 4.3 763 6.3

504 Professional and commercial

equipment and supplies 37 ........... 726 17 896 47.4 2 984 7.9 (S) (S) 1 351 3.6 1 716 4.5

505 Metals and minerals, except

petroleum4 ...................... 11 717 5 483 46.8 1 352 11.5 232 2.0 675 5.8 570 4.9

506 Electrical goods 22 ................... 294 10 045 45.1 1 871 8.4 232 1.0 963 4.3 1 028 4.6

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 12 ........... 640 6 697 53.0 1 236 9.8 130 1.0 382 3.0 847 6.7

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 38 . 528 19 406 50.4 3 987 10.3 433 1.1 1 858 4.8 1 830 4.7

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 19 ....... 030 8 020 42.1 1 357 7.1 251 1.3 967 5.1 1 131 5.9

51 Nondurable goods4................. 127 769 56 671 44.4 11 359 8.9 2 506 2.0 6 311 4.9 6 841 5.4

511 Paper and paper products 10 .......... 993 5 801 52.8 1 005 9.1 141 1.3 317 2.9 662 6.0

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and

druggists’ sundries 5 ................ 326 2 361 44.3 413 7.8 66 1.2 213 4.0 248 4.6

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 15 ... 207 5 864 38.6 960 6.3 (S) (S) 400 2.6 870 5.7

514 Groceries and related products 36 ...... 997 16 901 45.7 3 938 10.6 559 1.5 1 997 5.4 1 947 5.3

515 Farm~product raw materials4 ........ 7 460 2 731 36.6 637 8.5 153 2.0 564 7.6 283 3.8

516 Chemicals and allied products 7 ....... 983 3 577 44.8 703 8.8 100 1.3 536 6.7 396 5.0

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 10 .. 611 4 332 40.8 863 8.1 (S) (S) 886 8.4 628 5.9

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 8 ....................... 525 3 938 46.2 859 10.1 (S) (S) 322 3.8 405 4.8

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 24 .... 666 11 166 45.3 1 980 8.0 (S) (S) 1 077 4.4 1 402 5.7

SIC

code Kind of business

Telephone and other

purchased

communications

Purchased utilities3 Purchased office

supplies

Purchased packaging

and other materials Advertising services Commissions paid

Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent

Merchant wholesalers4 ..... 6 434 2.0 5 872 1.8 4 300 1.4 4 288 1.3 10 881 3.4 7 602 2.4

50 Durable goods stores4 .............. 4 551 2.4 2 948 1.6 2 626 1.4 2 158 1.1 7 856 4.1 4 365 2.3

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts

and supplies 494 ..................... 1.9 394 1.5 215 .8 265 1.0 2 849 10.8 273 1.0

502 Furniture and home furnishings 170 ..... 1.8 144 1.5 127 1.3 (S) (S) (S) (S) 469 4.8

503 Lumber and other construction

materials 263 ........................ 2.2 260 2.2 148 1.2 132 1.1 178 1.5 (S) (S)

504 Professional and commercial

equipment and supplies 1 ........... 249 3.3 336 .9 559 1.5 (S) (S) 1 705 4.5 711 1.9

505 Metals and minerals, except

petroleum4 ...................... 214 1.8 286 2.4 114 1.0 (S) (S) 54 .5 108 .9

506 Electrical goods 487 ................... 2.2 (S) (S) 331 1.5 140 .6 785 3.5 1 106 5.0

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 321 ........... 2.5 195 1.5 219 1.7 101 .8 265 2.1 (S) (S)

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 982 . 2.5 536 1.4 667 1.7 401 1.0 701 1.8 813 2.1

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 372 ....... 2.0 431 2.3 246 1.3 279 1.5 911 4.8 658 3.5

51 Nondurable goods4................. 1 883 1.5 2 925 2.3 1 674 1.3 2 130 1.7 3 025 2.4 3 237 2.5

511 Paper and paper products 240 .......... 2.2 172 1.6 152 1.4 (S) (S) 153 1.4 (S) (S)

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and

druggists’ sundries 96 ................ 1.8 81 1.5 93 1.7 81 1.5 (S) (S) (S) (S)

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 189 ... 1.2 188 1.2 185 1.2 208 1.4 610 4.0 885 5.8

514 Groceries and related products 421 ...... 1.1 1 062 2.9 401 1.1 (S) (S) 842 2.3 488 1.3

515 Farm~product raw materials4 ........ (S) (S) 385 5.2 80 1.1 86 1.2 58 .8 (S) (S)

516 Chemicals and allied products 144 ....... 1.8 159 2.0 95 1.2 (S) (S) 100 1.3 114 1.4

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 158 .. 1.5 253 2.4 142 1.3 (S) (S) 101 1.0 226 2.1

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 75 ....................... .9 120 1.4 78 .9 83 1.0 414 4.9 (S) (S)

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 450 .... 1.8 504 2.0 (S) (S) (S) (S) 572 2.3 (S) (S)

See footnotes at end of table.

2–10nnASSETS AND EXPENDITURES WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES
Table 7. Operating Expenses by Type and by Kind of Business: 1992mCon.

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC

code Kind of business

Contract work Purchased repair

services

Cost of purchased legal

services

Cost of purchased

accounting, auditing,

and bookkeeping

services

Cost of data processing

and other computer~

related services

Other operating

expenses

Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent

Merchant wholesalers4 ...... 4 533 1.4 5 506 1.7 2 434 .8 2 414 .8 1 296 .4 53 029 16.7

50 Durable goods stores4 .............. 2 592 1.4 2 638 1.4 1 460 .8 1 563 .8 837 .4 30 913 16.3

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts

and supplies (S) ..................... (S) 286 1.1 219 .8 (S) (S) 151 .6 5 530 20.9

502 Furniture and home furnishings 360 ...... 3.7 97 1.0 58 .6 88 .9 25 .3 (S) (S)

503 Lumber and other construction

materials 194 ........................ 1.6 289 2.4 94 .8 80 .7 (S) (S) 1 593 13.2

504 Professional and commercial

equipment and supplies (S) ........... (S) 353 .9 220 .6 217 .6 154 .4 6 644 17.6

505 Metals and minerals, except

petroleum4 ....................... (S) (S) 302 2.6 75 .6 72 .6 33 .3 1 536 13.1

506 Electrical goods (S) ................... (S) 205 .9 (S) (S) 167 .8 117 .5 4 092 18.4

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies (S) ........... (S) 143 1.1 80 .6 113 .9 45 .4 1 628 12.9

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies (S) .. (S) 516 1.3 278 .7 300 .8 216 .6 5 286 13.7

509 Miscellaneous durable goods (S) ........ (S) 447 2.3 225 1.2 176 .9 49 .3 3 232 17.0

51 Nondurable goods4 ................. 1 941 1.5 2 868 2.2 974 .8 851 .7 459 .4 22 116 17.3

511 Paper and paper products (S) .......... (S) 115 1.0 50 .5 74 .7 42 .4 1 566 14.2

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and

druggists’ sundries (S) ................ (S) 57 1.1 55 1.0 (S) (S) (S) (S) 1 180 22.2

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions (S) ... (S) 126 .8 169 1.1 124 .8 53 .3 3 133 20.6

514 Groceries and related products (S) ...... (S) 934 2.5 217 .6 178 .5 125 .3 5 814 15.7

515 Farm~product raw materials4 ........ 106 1.4 393 5.3 (S) (S) 53 .7 (S) (S) (S) (S)

516 Chemicals and allied products (S) ....... (S) 191 2.4 60 .8 59 .7 (S) (S) 1 395 17.5

517 Petroleum and petroleum products (S) ... (S) 419 3.9 105 1.0 75 .7 47 .4 1 896 17.9

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 13 ....................... .2 152 1.8 53 .6 48 .6 24 .3 1 595 18.7

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods (S) .... (S) 482 2.0 186 .8 193 .8 77 .3 3 971 16.1

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. For estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation) see explanation in appendix A for percentage columns and table 13 for other columns.

1Operating expenses are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2Payroll data are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

3These data represent only utilities which were purchased by firms in 1992, and exclude those utility costs which were part of normal lease and rental payments or franchise fees.

4Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

Table 8. Detailed Purchased Utilities by Kind of Business: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Cost of purchased utilities2

Operating expenses1 All utilities Electricity Fuels (nonhighway)

Water, sewer, and

other utilities

Merchant wholesalers3 ............................ 317 813 5 872 3 872 1 310 690

50 Durable goods stores3 .................................... 190 043 2 948 1 969 586 392

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and supplies 26 ............ 402 394 264 71 59

502 Furniture and home furnishings 9 ............................ 681 144 99 30 16

503 Lumber and other construction materials 12 .................... 026 260 163 60 37

504 Professional and commercial equipment and supplies 37 ........ 726 336 251 41 45

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum3 .................... 11 717 286 190 (S) 29

506 Electrical goods 22 ......................................... 294 (S) (S) (S) (S)

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies 12 . 640 195 123 49 23 508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 38 ........................ 528 536 367 96 73 509 Miscellaneous durable goods 19 .............................. 030 431 248 114 69

51 Nondurable goods3 ....................................... 127 769 2 925 1 902 724 298

511 Paper and paper products 10 ................................ 993 172 131 27 15 512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries 5 ............ 326 81 59 15 7 513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 15 ......................... 207 188 128 39 22 514 Groceries and related products 36 ............................ 997 1 062 700 247 115 515 Farm~product raw materials3 .............................. 7 460 385 (S) (S) (S)

516 Chemicals and allied products 7 ............................. 983 159 98 36 24 517 Petroleum and petroleum products 10 ......................... 611 253 160 65 29 518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages 8 ................. 525 120 75 (S) 12

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 24 .......................... 666 504 319 134 50

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. See table 13 for estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation).

1Operating expenses are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2These data represent only utilities which were purchased by firms in 1992, and exclude those utility costs which were part of normal lease and rental payments or franchise fees.

3Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES ASSETS AND EXPENDITURESnn2–11
Table 9. Detailed Repair Services by Kind of Business: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Purchased repair services

Operating

expenses1 Total

Buildings,

structures, and

related facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other

Acquisition value

of depreciable

assets at

end of 1992

Capital

expenditures (other

than land)

Merchant wholesalers2 .......................... 317 813 5 506 1 524 3 983 173 269 18 030

50 Durable goods stores2 .................................. 190 043 2 638 773 1 865 89 987 9 687

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and supplies 26 .......... 402 286 114 172 13 934 1 094

502 Furniture and home furnishings 9 .......................... 681 97 31 67 3 627 358

503 Lumber and other construction materials 12 .................. 026 289 62 227 6 579 622

504 Professional and commercial equipment and supplies 37 ....... 726 353 116 237 11 627 1 679

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum2................... 11 717 302 57 245 9 848 747

506 Electrical goods 22 ........................................ 294 205 82 122 11 005 1 561

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and

supplies 12 .............................................. 640 143 56 87 4 428 462

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 38 ...................... 528 516 (S) (S) 18 458 2 164

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 19 ............................ 030 447 75 372 10 481 1 000

51 Nondurable goods2 ..................................... 127 769 2 868 751 2 118 83 281 8 343

511 Paper and paper products 10 ............................... 993 115 34 81 3 712 379

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries 5 ........... 326 57 18 39 2 213 (S)

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 15 ........................ 207 126 34 92 4 222 410

514 Groceries and related products 36 .......................... 997 934 199 735 23 541 2 315

515 Farm~product raw materials2............................. 7 460 393 152 241 11 405 748

516 Chemicals and allied products 7 ........................... 983 191 41 151 6 546 862

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 10 ....................... 611 419 114 305 12 497 1 306

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages 8 ............... 525 152 38 115 4 166 (S)

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 24 ......................... 666 482 122 360 14 978 1 423

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. See table 13 for estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation).

1Operating expenses are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

Table 10. Sales, Cost of Goods Sold, and Measures of Value Produced by Kind of Business:

1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Net income produced atm

Gross margin Value added

Market prices Factor cost

Annual payroll1

Sales

Cost of

goods sold Amount

Percent

of sales Amount

Percent

of sales Amount

Percent

of sales Amount

Percent

of sales Amount

Percent

of sales

Merchant wholesalers2 .............. 1 849 798 1 469 268 380 530 20.6 362 227 19.6 255 290 13.8 235 882 12.8 144 792 7.8

50 Durable goods stores2 ...................... 908 916 681 924 226 992 25.0 217 060 23.9 152 675 16.8 142 083 15.6 88 120 9.7

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 170 .................................. 849 137 904 (S) (S) (S) (S) (S) (S) (S) (S) 10 119 5.9 502 Furniture and home furnishings 33 .............. 200 21 339 11 861 35.7 11 114 33.5 7 776 23.4 7 392 22.3 4 425 13.3 503 Lumber and other construction materials 63 ...... 765 48 733 15 032 23.6 14 335 22.5 10 883 17.1 10 211 16.0 6 030 9.5 504 Professional and commercial equipment and

supplies 139 .................................. 629 96 455 43 174 30.9 41 273 29.6 28 259 20.2 26 328 18.9 17 896 12.8 505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum2....... 76 745 61 071 15 674 20.4 14 690 19.1 11 699 15.2 10 792 14.1 5 483 7.1 506 Electrical goods 115 ............................ 387 87 006 28 381 24.6 27 440 23.8 19 198 16.6 18 004 15.6 10 045 8.7 507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 53 .................... 063 38 365 14 698 27.7 14 087 26.5 10 503 19.8 9 991 18.8 6 697 12.6 508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 149 .......... 216 107 459 41 757 28.0 39 906 26.7 28 912 19.4 26 621 17.8 19 406 13.0 509 Miscellaneous durable goods 107 ................ 063 83 592 23 471 21.9 22 304 20.8 15 035 14.0 13 817 12.9 8 020 7.5

51 Nondurable goods2 ......................... 940 882 787 344 153 538 16.3 145 167 15.4 102 615 10.9 93 799 10.0 56 671 6.0

511 Paper and paper products 54 ................... 802 42 505 12 297 22.4 11 815 21.6 8 567 15.6 8 110 14.8 5 801 10.6

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’

sundries 67 ................................. 069 59 565 7 504 11.2 7 207 10.7 5 232 7.8 4 953 7.4 2 361 3.5

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 67 ............ 905 48 067 19 838 29.2 18 180 26.8 12 000 17.7 11 455 16.9 5 864 8.6

514 Groceries and related products 279 .............. 217 237 960 41 257 14.8 38 737 13.9 27 656 9.9 25 100 9.0 16 901 6.1

515 Farm~product raw materials2................. 106 224 96 133 10 091 9.5 9 459 8.9 6 716 6.3 5 999 5.6 2 731 2.6

516 Chemicals and allied products 39 ............... 170 29 641 9 529 24.3 8 981 22.9 6 461 16.5 5 826 14.9 3 577 9.1

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 142 ........... 651 129 904 12 747 8.9 12 259 8.6 8 575 6.0 7 331 5.1 4 332 3.0

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages 50 ... 397 38 409 11 988 23.8 11 707 23.2 8 881 17.6 8 260 16.4 3 938 7.8

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 133 ............. 446 105 160 28 286 21.2 26 822 20.1 18 528 13.9 16 766 12.6 11 166 8.4

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. For estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation) see explanation in appendix A for percentage columns and table

13 for other columns.

1Payroll data are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

2–12nnASSETS AND EXPENDITURES WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES
Table 11. Sales, Cost of Goods Sold, Measures of Value Produced, and Annual Payroll by Legal

Form of Organization: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Legal form of organization

Net income produced atm

Gross margin Value added

Market prices Factor cost

Annual payroll1

Sales

Cost of

goods sold Amount

Percent

of sales Amount

Percent

of sales Amount

Percent

of sales Amount

Percent

of sales Amount

Percent

of sales

Merchant wholesalers2 .............. 1 849 798 1 469 268 380 530 20.6 362 227 19.6 255 290 13.8 235 882 12.8 144 792 7.8

Corporations 1 ................................ 765 899 1 408 702 357 198 20.2 340 108 19.3 238 043 13.5 219 644 12.4 139 308 7.9

All other 83 ..................................... 898 60 566 23 332 27.8 22 119 26.4 17 247 20.6 16 238 19.4 5 484 6.5

50 Durable goods2 ......................... 908 916 681 924 226 992 25.0 217 060 23.9 152 675 16.8 142 083 15.6 88 120 9.7

Corporations 877 ................................ 893 660 956 216 937 24.7 207 714 23.7 146 196 16.7 136 019 15.5 85 002 9.7

All other 31 ..................................... 024 20 968 10 055 32.4 9 347 30.1 (S) (S) (S) (S) 3 119 10.1

51 Nondurable goods2 ..................... 940 882 787 344 153 538 16.3 145 167 15.4 102 615 10.9 93 799 10.0 56 671 6.0

Corporations 888 ................................ 007 747 746 140 261 15.8 132 394 14.9 91 848 10.3 83 625 9.4 54 306 6.1

All other 52 ..................................... 875 39 598 13 277 25.1 12 773 24.2 10 767 20.4 10 174 19.2 2 365 4.5

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. For estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation) see explanation in appendix A for percentage columns and table

13 for other columns.

1Payroll data are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

Table 12. Acquisition Value of Depreciable Assets, Capital Expenditures, Sales, and Total

Operating Expenses of Corporations by Kind of Business: 1992

[Dollar amounts are in millions. Data are shown only for establishments with payroll. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Acquisition value of depreciable assets

atm

End of 1992 End of 1991

Capital

expenditures

(other than land) Sales

Purchases of

merchandise

for resale Operatingexpenses1

Merchant wholesalers2 .......................... 162 466 151 882 17 045 1 765 899 1 401 366 304 137

50 Durable goods stores2 .................................. 86 308 80 929 9 327 877 893 657 192 182 359

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and supplies 13 .......... 191 12 459 1 037 164 836 127 306 24 890

502 Furniture and home furnishings 3 .......................... 475 3 206 331 31 892 20 658 9 299

503 Lumber and other construction materials 6 .................. 276 6 072 590 60 602 46 785 11 372

504 Professional and commercial equipment and supplies 11 ....... 328 10 673 1 642 135 864 94 134 36 491

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum2................... 9 491 9 091 713 74 949 59 657 11 316

506 Electrical goods 10 ........................................ 693 9 552 1 512 112 496 86 019 21 597

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and

supplies 4 .............................................. 275 4 022 443 51 499 37 654 12 288

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 17 ...................... 610 16 416 2 103 143 884 103 961 37 196

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 9 ............................ 968 9 436 956 101 872 81 018 17 910

51 Nondurable goods2 ..................................... 76 158 70 953 7 718 888 007 744 174 121 778

511 Paper and paper products 3 ............................... 575 3 307 372 53 266 41 642 10 644

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries 2 ........... 175 1 797 (S) 66 221 60 139 5 252

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 4 ........................ 083 3 867 398 65 363 47 212 14 647

514 Groceries and related products 22 .......................... 283 20 971 2 145 261 317 222 074 35 188

515 Farm~product raw materials2............................. 8 928 8 441 617 95 772 85 838 6 574

516 Chemicals and allied products 6 ........................... 458 5 778 853 38 354 29 314 7 804

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 11 ....................... 836 11 088 1 238 135 745 123 607 10 044

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages 3 ............... 937 3 623 (S) 46 990 35 331 8 010 519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 12 ......................... 883 12 082 1 237 124 980 99 016 23 615

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. See table 13 for estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation).

1Operating expenses are not the same as in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade due to their sample basis and inclusion of auxiliaries.

2Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES ASSETS AND EXPENDITURESnn2–13
Table 13. Estimated Relative Standard Errors by Kind of Business: 1992

[Coefficient of variation in percent. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Capital expenditures (other than land)

Total

New

capital

expend~

itures

New

buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

New

highway

vehicles

New

computer

hardware

and data

processing

equipment

All other

new capital

expend~

itures

Used

capital

expend~

itures

Merchant wholesalers1 ........... 2.7 2.8 5.9 3.6 4.6 4.0 7.1

50 Durable goods stores1 ................... 4.0 4.0 6.7 4.2 6.8 6.2 11.5

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 12.7 ............................... 13.2 * 10.9 * 17.6 *

502 Furniture and home furnishings 9.3 ........... 7.9 * * * * *

503 Lumber and other construction materials 6.2 ... 6.1 * 11.1 8.3 6.7 *

504 Professional and commercial equipment

and supplies 11.1 ........................... 11.3 * * 11.9 16.1 11.5

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1.... 5.2 5.6 12.4 12.1 7.6 8.6 *

506 Electrical goods 7.7 ......................... 7.8 8.4 12.7 8.9 8.9 *

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 8.8 ................. 8.9 11.4 13.4 10.7 10.0 17.3

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 12.0 ....... 11.8 10.6 8.3 * * *

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 8.9 ............. 9.0 10.6 9.4 12.9 14.6 *

51 Nondurable goods1 ...................... 3.6 3.6 9.1 5.7 4.1 4.1 8.7

511 Paper and paper products 6.4 ................ 6.0 6.4 16.2 8.1 9.3 *

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’

sundries * .............................. * * * 8.4 14.5 7.6

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 5.6 ......... 5.5 14.1 * 7.6 6.6 *

514 Groceries and related products 5.0 ........... 5.2 7.6 12.2 7.9 9.4 *

515 Farm~product raw materials1.............. 13.3 12.8 16.1 17.4 14.6 12.9 *

516 Chemicals and allied products 15.0 ............ 15.1 * 14.8 11.1 14.6 *

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 7.1 ........ 6.9 14.5 10.3 7.9 6.9 *

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages * ............................. * * * 17.8 17.6 *

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 9.2 .......... 8.7 12.1 9.1 13.3 * *

SIC code Kind of business

Acquisition value of depreciable assets

End of 1992 End of 1991

Depreciation charges

Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other

Deduc~

tions from

depreci~

able assets Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other

Merchant wholesalers1 ........... 1.9 3.5 1.8 1.9 3.6 1.9 4.3 1.9 2.7 2.2

50 Durable goods stores1 ................... 2.8 6.5 2.5 2.8 6.6 2.6 5.7 2.4 4.4 2.8

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 12.1 ............................... * 6.4 12.2 * 6.5 15.7 5.4 16.4 6.1

502 Furniture and home furnishings 5.8 ........... * * 6.4 * * 9.1 5.3 6.9 5.9

503 Lumber and other construction materials 4.5 ... 5.6 6.2 4.7 5.3 6.4 13.8 5.5 9.0 6.2

504 Professional and commercial equipment

and supplies 8.6 ........................... 11.4 8.5 9.1 9.6 10.6 8.3 7.0 13.6 7.4

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1.... 4.8 5.6 5.4 5.0 5.6 5.6 * 9.3 5.5 10.4

506 Electrical goods 4.7 ......................... 5.6 5.7 4.7 5.8 5.8 15.0 5.8 5.0 6.4

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 6.0 ................. 11.4 4.0 6.0 11.0 5.0 16.2 4.7 10.1 4.7

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 5.9 ....... 9.3 5.9 5.4 9.5 5.1 12.6 5.6 7.0 6.7

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 7.5 ............. 10.0 8.3 8.0 10.3 9.0 * 8.6 6.6 10.0

51 Nondurable goods1 ...................... 2.4 2.9 2.6 2.4 3.1 2.7 6.4 3.0 3.3 3.4

511 Paper and paper products 3.7 ................ 6.6 3.9 4.1 7.1 4.5 12.2 5.7 10.6 6.3

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’

sundries 12.1 .............................. * 9.4 9.2 15.3 9.4 * 10.4 * 10.5

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 9.3 ......... 13.4 8.0 9.7 13.7 8.6 7.3 6.6 8.8 6.8

514 Groceries and related products 4.8 ........... 4.2 5.6 5.1 4.9 6.4 10.7 7.7 6.6 8.6

515 Farm~product raw materials1.............. 6.1 6.2 6.8 5.8 6.5 6.3 6.8 5.1 5.8 5.5

516 Chemicals and allied products 6.9 ............ 6.8 8.2 7.5 7.4 7.9 16.3 8.5 8.5 10.4

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 6.0 ........ 7.6 6.1 6.0 8.6 5.7 * 5.7 9.9 5.8

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 8.4 ............................. 10.4 8.5 8.6 10.4 8.8 * 10.5 11.5 10.8

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 7.4 .......... 9.8 7.6 6.8 10.5 6.9 * 5.9 10.1 5.9

See footnotes at end of table.

2–14nnASSETS AND EXPENDITURES WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES
Table 13. Estimated Relative Standard Errors by Kind of Business: 1992mCon.

[Coefficient of variation in percent. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Employer cost for fringe benefits

(other than land) Lease and rental payments

Operating

expenses Annual payroll Total

Legally

required

Voluntary

programs Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other

Merchant wholesalers1 ........... 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.6 3.0

50 Durable goods stores1 ................... 1.3 1.5 1.8 1.9 2.2 1.8 1.9 3.6

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 4.9 ............................... 5.4 6.6 5.9 7.8 6.0 6.1 13.0

502 Furniture and home furnishings 3.5 ........... 4.2 5.9 5.9 6.4 3.9 3.7 8.2

503 Lumber and other construction materials 2.1 ... 3.1 3.5 4.1 6.4 5.5 6.8 11.6

504 Professional and commercial equipment

and supplies 3.7 ........................... 4.7 4.9 5.1 6.1 4.5 5.1 8.0

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1.... 4.6 4.4 5.4 5.5 6.0 6.8 9.2 5.8

506 Electrical goods 3.3 ......................... 4.5 5.5 6.4 6.7 4.7 5.6 11.7

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 1.9 ................. 3.3 3.3 2.9 5.8 5.4 6.4 8.3

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 2.3 ....... 2.3 3.7 4.7 3.9 4.4 3.7 9.8

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 4.7 ............. 5.7 4.9 5.1 6.4 5.8 6.6 9.0

51 Nondurable goods1 ...................... 1.5 1.6 1.7 2.2 1.8 2.6 2.8 4.7

511 Paper and paper products 3.2 ................ 4.5 4.4 3.7 5.6 4.1 3.9 8.5

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’

sundries 4.6 .............................. 4.9 5.7 6.1 7.7 8.7 11.0 7.5

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 3.9 ......... 6.0 6.2 7.9 5.3 4.0 3.9 13.5

514 Groceries and related products 3.3 ........... 3.2 3.5 5.0 3.4 6.1 7.8 7.7

515 Farm~product raw materials1.............. 3.7 7.4 5.7 8.1 4.3 8.4 9.8 11.4

516 Chemicals and allied products 5.4 ............ 6.3 5.4 5.6 6.5 7.8 9.6 10.1

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 5.7 ........ 6.1 6.3 7.2 5.8 7.9 8.8 10.2

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 6.3 ............................. 5.9 6.9 8.4 6.5 8.4 8.0 14.6

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 3.1 .......... 3.3 3.0 3.1 4.1 6.7 7.3 17.4

SIC code Kind of business

Purchased utilities

Total

Cost of

electricity

Cost of

fuel

Cost of

water,

sewer,

and other

utilities

Purchased

office

supplies

Purchased

packaging

and other

materials

Advertising

services

Commissions

paid Contract work

Merchant wholesalers1 ........... 2.2 2.3 3.5 3.7 2.0 5.7 3.1 3.8 8.5

50 Durable goods stores1 ................... 3.3 3.4 5.1 4.7 2.2 7.1 3.6 5.5 10.1

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 7.5 ............................... 6.6 16.9 9.4 7.7 10.7 5.2 15.6 *

502 Furniture and home furnishings 8.8 ........... 7.9 15.5 8.6 4.5 * * 7.1 16.4

503 Lumber and other construction materials 6.7 ... 7.8 10.3 6.4 4.2 14.1 8.7 * 12.0

504 Professional and commercial equipment

and supplies 5.5 ........................... 5.7 12.8 11.1 5.8 * 11.0 7.5 *

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1.... 6.0 3.8 * 5.4 5.0 * 11.9 8.0 *

506 Electrical goods * ......................... * * * 8.5 7.5 8.9 14.2 *

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 4.5 ................. 4.4 10.9 7.5 3.9 9.2 10.6 * *

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 3.4 ....... 3.9 9.7 10.3 4.6 15.7 5.2 15.8 *

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 7.4 ............. 8.8 12.4 15.7 4.6 10.4 12.2 14.7 *

51 Nondurable goods1 ...................... 2.9 3.0 4.9 5.8 3.6 8.9 5.9 5.0 14.6

511 Paper and paper products 4.1 ................ 4.6 8.9 8.2 4.3 * 12.8 * *

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’

sundries 10.8 .............................. 12.4 15.9 10.3 8.0 14.8 * * *

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 12.6 ......... 12.0 12.4 17.4 4.9 12.7 4.2 7.9 *

514 Groceries and related products 5.5 ........... 6.1 7.8 9.8 4.4 * 16.8 13.3 *

515 Farm~product raw materials1.............. 5.9 * * * 9.4 17.3 8.9 * 17.2

516 Chemicals and allied products 9.4 ............ 10.2 10.3 10.2 6.8 * 17.6 15.5 *

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 8.1 ........ 9.8 7.1 13.4 6.2 * 7.3 9.7 *

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 12.6 ............................. 11.1 * 12.4 7.4 13.7 7.4 * 11.5

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 8.8 .......... 8.2 17.6 14.3 * * 15.6 * *

See footnotes at end of table.

WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES ASSETS AND EXPENDITURESnn2–15
Table 13. Estimated Relative Standard Errors by Kind of Business: 1992mCon.

[Coefficient of variation in percent. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, see introductory text]

SIC code Kind of business

Repair work

Total

Buildings,

structures,

and

related

facilities

Machinery,

equipment,

and other

Telephone and

other

communication

services

Cost of

purchased

legal services

Cost of

purchased

accounting,

auditing, and

bookkeeping

services

Cost of

purchased data

processsing

and other

computer~

related services Other expenses

Merchant wholesalers1 ........... 2.5 2.9 2.8 2.0 2.7 9.3 3.5 1.9

50 Durable goods stores1 ................... 4.2 4.6 4.7 2.6 3.8 14.3 4.5 2.6

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 8.3 ............................... 11.4 8.6 7.2 5.6 * 7.9 8.0

502 Furniture and home furnishings 5.4 ........... 6.4 6.7 3.1 10.5 9.5 8.6 *

503 Lumber and other construction materials 8.4 ... 10.5 10.3 15.6 9.1 8.0 * 5.4

504 Professional and commercial equipment

and supplies 7.6 ........................... 8.8 10.2 7.0 3.1 7.4 6.8 8.2

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1.... 12.5 8.9 14.6 4.9 5.8 6.5 9.4 7.2

506 Electrical goods 6.9 ......................... 10.4 7.2 3.7 * 11.0 12.3 4.1

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 7.6 ................. 8.8 8.9 4.6 11.0 10.9 9.7 5.6

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 16.1 ....... * * 5.0 9.2 7.0 12.0 4.9

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 9.6 ............. 7.7 11.2 6.0 7.7 5.3 10.6 6.1

51 Nondurable goods1 ...................... 3.0 3.7 3.3 2.6 3.6 3.8 5.4 2.5

511 Paper and paper products 4.6 ................ 5.5 6.5 11.4 11.8 14.2 14.5 6.7

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’

sundries 9.2 .............................. 8.9 12.2 11.1 12.2 * * 9.0

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 12.4 ......... 14.1 12.7 4.8 6.0 9.0 8.6 5.9

514 Groceries and related products 6.1 ........... 9.1 6.7 4.8 10.0 10.6 13.8 7.0

515 Farm~product raw materials1.............. 6.9 7.3 7.4 * * 11.3 * *

516 Chemicals and allied products 6.7 ............ 12.6 7.1 6.6 14.8 8.1 * 6.3

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 8.1 ........ 10.3 8.3 6.0 6.9 7.0 12.5 6.4

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 9.2 ............................. 11.1 9.5 10.1 7.5 6.8 13.8 10.2

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 8.2 .......... 8.0 9.4 6.0 10.7 8.5 13.1 5.2

SIC code Kind of business

Inventories

1992 1991

Purchases of

merchandise

for resale

Cost of goods

sold Gross margin Value added

Net income

produced at

market prices

Net income

produced at

factor cost

Merchant wholesalers1 ........... 1.5 1.6 .5 .5 2.0 2.1 3.0 3.3

50 Durable goods stores1 ................... 2.2 2.3 1.0 1.0 3.1 3.2 4.8 5.2

501 Motor vehicles and automotive parts and

supplies 7.4 ............................... 8.1 4.5 4.4 * * * *

502 Furniture and home furnishings 8.5 ........... 9.2 4.2 4.5 8.1 8.3 11.5 12.3

503 Lumber and other construction materials 4.1 ... 3.0 .8 .9 3.0 3.2 4.2 4.4

504 Professional and commercial equipment

and supplies 6.7 ........................... 5.4 2.2 2.3 5.1 5.4 7.4 7.7

505 Metals and minerals, except petroleum1.... 3.8 4.0 1.2 1.6 6.3 6.3 7.6 7.8

506 Electrical goods 4.2 ......................... 3.4 .9 1.1 3.3 3.3 4.9 5.0

507 Hardware, and plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies 5.0 ................. 4.4 1.1 1.9 5.0 5.3 7.0 7.3

508 Machinery, equipment, and supplies 4.6 ....... 5.9 1.2 1.5 3.8 3.9 5.0 5.4

509 Miscellaneous durable goods 4.9 ............. 6.5 1.4 1.4 4.8 4.9 5.5 5.9

51 Nondurable goods1 ...................... 1.8 1.5 .3 .3 1.7 1.8 2.2 2.4

511 Paper and paper products 6.5 ................ 5.8 1.0 1.1 3.7 3.7 4.7 4.9

512 Drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’

sundries 4.3 .............................. 3.1 .6 .9 7.4 7.5 9.9 10.6

513 Apparel, piece goods, and notions 7.1 ......... 4.0 1.4 1.9 4.7 5.6 7.5 7.7

514 Groceries and related products 4.0 ........... 4.3 .6 .7 3.9 4.0 4.9 5.4

515 Farm~product raw materials1.............. 2.5 3.0 .6 .7 6.3 6.5 9.0 9.9

516 Chemicals and allied products 6.2 ............ 5.2 2.1 2.0 6.3 6.2 6.9 7.3

517 Petroleum and petroleum products 6.7 ........ 2.7 .5 .7 7.1 7.2 8.3 9.4

518 Beer, wine and distilled alcoholic

beverages 6.6 ............................. 9.0 2.0 2.3 7.4 7.5 8.7 9.4

519 Miscellaneous nondurable goods 5.2 .......... 3.8 .8 .9 3.4 3.3 3.7 4.1

Note: This table excludes estimated measures of sampling variability (coefficients of variation) for percentages shown in other tables. For an explanation of these measures see Limitations of

the Data in appendix A.

1Sales data for SIC’s 5051 pt. and the 515 trade group are reported on a different basis than the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade. For an explanation of these differences see Method of

Estimation in appendix A.

2–16nnASSETS AND EXPENDITURES WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES
Appendix A.

General Explanation

SAMPLE DESIGN

The 1992 Assets and Expenditures Survey sample for

wholesale trade consists of the same sampling units used

to produce the monthly estimates of wholesale sales and

inventories published in the Current Business Report Series

BW, Monthly Wholesale Trade, for November and December 1992 and January 1993. A subset of these sampling

units was also tabulated in the 1992 Annual Trade Survey.

The sampling procedures for the monthly and annual

wholesale trade surveys are described below.

The sample for the monthly survey consists of two fixed

panels of the larger businesses and three rotating panels of

smaller businesses. One fixed panel consists of companies

and Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) selected with

certainty (i.e., with probability of selection = 1). The other

consists of EINs selected originally in rotating panels that

have shown unusual growth since their selection. In the

monthly survey, only one rotating panel plus the two fixed

panels are canvassed in any given month. In the annual

trade survey, the fixed panels and two of the three rotating

panels are used.

The frame for the initial sample was constructed using

information from the Standard Statistical Establishment

List (SSEL) as updated to December 31, 1989. The frame

consisted of two lists. One list was composed of companies

(multiestablishment enterprises) as determined by the 1989

Company Organization Survey. The other list was composed of all merchant wholesale EINs issued by the

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that (1) reported payroll in

at least one quarter of 1989 and (2) were on the

latest available IRS mailing file of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxpayers. Each list contained information on sales, payroll, employment, name and address,

kind-of-business classification, type-of-operation classification, etc.

Because the frame consisted of a list of companies and

a list of EINs (some of which were associated with companies on the first list) the sampling units consisted of both

companies and EINs. If a company had total merchant

wholesale sales above a prescribed cutoff corresponding

to its major kind of business, the company was selected

into the sample with certainty. In this case, the company,

which could consist of many EINs, was the sampling unit.

Consequently, any new establishments that the company

might acquire, even if under new or different EINs, were in

the sample with certainty. All EINs associated with the

company were then removed from the second list to avoid

duplication on the frame. After all certainty companies had

been selected, the unduplicated EIN frame was sampled.

All multiestablishment merchant wholesale companies

that were not selected with certainty and all single-establishment

firms were treated on an EIN basis; that is, the EIN was the

sampling unit. The EINs were stratified according to their

major kind of business and their estimated sales. A separate determination of certainty EINs was performed using

the same cutoffs as for companies. After certainty EINs

were selected, the remaining EINs were subjected to

simple random sampling within strata. The sampling rates

for these EINs varied between 1 in 3 to 1 in 809. Three

such samples of EINs, called panels, were drawn.

For those EINs in the initial sample that were not

classified in a kind-of-business category and for all EIN

‘‘births’’ after the frame creation, a two-phase selection

procedure was used. EIN births, as used here, are new

EINs recently assigned by the IRS that are also on the

latest available IRS mailing list for FICA taxpayers. They

may be assigned a kind-of-business classification by the

Social Security Administration (SSA). In the first phase,

births were stratified by kind of business (if available) and

size (expected employment or quarterly payroll). A relatively large sample was drawn and canvassed for more

reliable and detailed information on the amount of sales in

two recent months and kind-of- business code.

Using this additional information, the cases selected in

the first phase were restratified and the final sample drawn

with probability-proportional-to-size sampling. The overall

selection probabilities for the birth sampling are equivalent

to those used in drawing the initial sample. Because of the

lag in reporting births to the IRS and the SSA and the time

needed to accomplish the two-phase birth-selection procedure carried out quarterly, births were actually tabulated in

the sample about 9 to 12 months after they began operation.

METHOD OF ESTIMATION

Most data on wholesale sales presented in this report

are reproduced from the U.S. Summary report of the 1992

Census of Wholesale Trade. All other data items are

statistical estimates which were developed from summation of weighted information from the sampling units. The

weights used are the inverses of the probabilities of

selection of sampling units in the survey. Each weighted

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES APPENDIX A A-1
estimate was multiplied by a ratio of sales reported in the

1992 Census of Wholesale Trade to sales reported in the

annual trade survey except the farm product-raw materials

group.

In the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade, establishments

classified in the farm product-raw materials group (SIC

515) included as sales products purchased and transferred

to other company establishments. In the monthly and

annual surveys, intracompany transfers are not included in

sales. Because of these differences, sales for this SIC are

obtained from the 1992 Annual Trade Survey with no

adjustment applied.

For SIC 505, the monthly and annual trade surveys

included merchant wholesalers as well as sales branches

of ferrous metals service centers with inventories. Therefore, their receipts are included in the 1992 census sales

estimates used in this report.

Estimates at aggregate kind-of-business levels were

obtained by summing estimates computed at detail levels.

LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA

Because the estimates were based on a sample, exact

agreement with the results that would be obtained from a

complete census of wholesale establishments using the

same enumeration procedures should not be expected.

However, because every merchant wholesale operation

in the United States had a chance of being selected for the

sample, and because the probability of selection for each

unit in the sample was known, it was possible to estimate

the sampling variability of the estimates made from the

sample.

The sampling error, or standard error of the estimate, is

a measure of variability among the estimates from all

possible samples of the same size and design and, thus, is

a measure of the precision with which an estimate from a

particular sample approximates the results of a complete

enumeration. The coefficient of variation is the standard

error of the estimate divided by the value being estimated.

It is expressed here as a percent. Note that measures of

sampling variability, such as the standard error and the

coefficient of variation are estimates derived from the

sample and are also subject to sampling variability.

The coefficients of variation permit certain confidence

statements about the sample estimates. The particular

sample used in this survey was one of a large number of

samples of the same size that could have been selected

using the same design. In about 2 out of 3 of these

samples, the estimate would differ from a complete enumeration by less than the corresponding percentage for

that estimate shown in the sampling variability columns. In

about 9 out of 10 samples, the estimates would differ from

the results of a complete enumeration by less than 1.65

times the percentages shown. To illustrate the computations involved in the above confidence statements as

related to dollar volume sales estimates, assume that an

estimate of sales is $10,750 million and that the coefficient

of variation for this estimate is 1.8 percent, or 0.018. First

obtain the standard error of the estimate by multiplying the

estimate by the coefficient of variation. In this example,

$10,750 million times 0.018 equals a standard error of

$194 million. The 67 percent confidence interval for this

example is $10,556 million to $10,944 million (i.e., $10,750

million plus or minus $194 million). Bounds for a 90 percent

confidence interval are computed by adding or subtracting

1.65 times the standard error from the estimate; consequently, the 90 percent confidence interval ranges from

$10,430 million to $11,070 million. If corresponding 67

percent confidence intervals were constructed for all possible samples of the same size and design, approximately

2 out of 3 (67 percent) intervals would contain the value

obtained from a complete enumeration. Similarly, for 90

percent confidence intervals, 9 out of 10 of all possible

intervals would contain the value obtained in a complete

enumeration.

Although coefficients of variation have not been calculated for the percent estimates shown in this report, they

will be less than:

=CV2 ~VALUE IN DENOMINATOR! 1 CV2 ~VALUE IN NUMERATOR!

Coefficients of variation for all other published estimates

are presented in table 13.

RESPONSE AND OTHER NONSAMPLING

ERRORS

The coefficients of variation shown in this report do not

measure biases which might arise from nonsampling errors

such as the failure of respondents to submit correct figures

on time for tabulation. Nonsampling errors can be attributed to many sources: inability to obtain information about

all cases in the sample; response errors; definition difficulties; differences in the interpretation of questions; mistakes

in recording or coding the data obtained; and other errors

of collection, response, coverage, and estimation for missing data. These nonsampling errors also occur in complete

censuses. Information is not available on the extent of bias

that may be due to reporting errors. To minimize nonsampling biases, all reports were reviewed for completeness

and consistency.

Various ratios were calculated from the data of each

report (e.g., employer contributions for plans required by

law to total annual payroll). All extreme and unusual ratios

were verified or corrected where necessary. Some firms did

not report prior to the closeout of this survey. Data were

therefore imputed for these firms based on other available

records for like firms in the same kind of business. Imputation amounted to about 17.5 percent for capital expenditures, 20.4 percent for depreciable assets, and 22.7 percent for operating expenses.

COMPARABILITY OF THE 1987 AND 1992

SURVEYS

The 1987 and 1992 surveys were conducted under

similar conditions and procedures except for the following:

A-2 APPENDIX A WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
The 1987 publications for wholesale trade, retail

trade, and service industries all presented data limited to

employer business establishments. However, for 1992

the retail and service reports include data on nonemployer establishments. It should be noted that in the

1992 Census of Retail Trade, nonemployers accounted

for only 2.8 percent of total sales. In the 1992 Census of

Service Industries, nonemployers accounted for only

10.6 percent of total receipts.

It should also be noted that the 1987 publication used

kind-of-business definitions based on the Standard Industrial Classification Manual: 1972. This report uses kindof-business definitions based on the Standard Industrial

Classification Manual: 1987. For a list of significant

changes in SIC codes from 1972 to 1987 see appendix

C.

COMPARISONS WITH OTHER DATA

Data on sales presented in this report reflect those

presented in other reports from the 1992 Census of

Wholesale Trade. All other statistics shown are estimates

developed from the sample of merchant wholesalers

participating in the 1992 Annual Trade Survey. These items

are comparable, in whole or in part, to statistics developed

from other sources; notably the 1992 Census of Wholesale

Trade, the Annual Capital Expenditures Survey, the national

income and products accounts (NIPA) tables published in

the Survey of Current Business, and Statistics of Income

published by the Internal Revenue Service. Estimates from

these varying sources may differ for reasons of sampling

variability and methodology. Broad descriptions of the

differences in concept or methodology which should be

observed when comparing other data series to those from

this report follow.

Annual Capital Expenditures Survey. This annual publication of the Bureau of the Census provides detailed

information on investment in structures and equipment by

nonfarm businesses. The data are used to improve the

quality of monthly and quarterly economic indicators of

investments and planned investments. These measures

contribute to improved quarterly estimates of the gross

domestic product from the Bureau of Economic Analysis

(BEA). Differences in sampling methodology, independent

processing and editing, variability in respondents completing the forms, and timing of the data collection contribute to

variations in the estimates of capital expenditures.

Statistics of Income From the Internal Revenue Service

(IRS). These annual publications and quarterly bulletins of

the IRS provide information on business receipts, cost of

goods sold, selected expense items, and depreciable

assets compiled from the Federal income tax returns.

However, the data are not in sufficient detail to provide

income-produced measures comparable with those published in this report. The cost of goods sold in Statistics of

Income includes costs of materials used in manufacturing;

costs of goods purchased for resale; direct manufacturing;

costs of goods purchased for resale; direct labor; and

certain overhead expenses, such as rent, utilities, supplies,

maintenance, and repairs. Cost of goods sold in the assets

and expenditures survey excludes salaries and wages paid

to the company’s employees, cost of packaging materials,

and office and other supplies.

The Statistics of Income data for wholesale trade include

all types of wholesalers, whereas this report covers only

merchant wholesalers. Morever, the company or subcompany level of reporting on income tax returns may not be

the same as used for reporting in the assets and expenditures survey. For example, manufacturing and other establishments operated by firms which are primarily merchant

wholesalers may be included in the IRS data. Merchant

wholesale establishments operated by firms primarily engaged

in other industries are not represented in the IRS statistics

for wholesale trade.

National Income and Products Accounts From the

Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). As part of the

national income and product accounts, the BEA prepares

estimates of value-added (also known as gross product

originating or GPO) by industry. GPO can be defined

equivalently either as industry gross output (sales plus

change in business inventories) less consumption of materials and services purchased from other industries, or as

the sum of the industry’s factor payments (e.g., wages,

interest, profits, etc.) and nonfactor costs (e.g., depreciation). The latter definition is the basis for the current dollar

estimates for industry GPO prepared by BEA that may be

compared with the census estimates. These estimates are

published annually in table 6.1 of the Survey of Current

Business.

The BEA GPO measure for wholesale trade relates

conceptually to the value produced and operating expenses

measures contained in this report in the following manner:

GPO equals this report’s value-added less lease and rental

payments, cost of communication, advertising and repair

services, other utilities, commissions to other firms, and

subsidies; plus sales and other taxes collected directly

from customers, and customs duties. GPO also equals this

report’s net income produced at market prices plus cost of

uninsured casualty losses and bad debts losses less

subsidies.

In addition, this report and the BEA GPO series differ

because the BEA factor payments and nonfactor costs that

are summed to estimate industry GPO are obtained from a

variety of data sources, including the Bureau of Labor

Statistics, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Bureau of

the Census. The May 1993 Survey of Current Business

provides a description of the sources and methods used for

the GPO estimates.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS

Sales. This item includes: merchandise sold for cash or

credit; receipts from customers for freight, installation,

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES APPENDIX A A-3
maintenance, repair, alteration, storage, and other services; excise taxes which are levied on the manufacturers

and included in the cost of goods purchased by wholesalers; subsidy payments received for the sale of goods;

gross value of sales made on a commission basis; and

sales of goods which are shipped on a wholesaler’s orders

directly to customers. Sales are net after deductions for

discounts and refunds and allowances for merchandise

returned by customers.

Sales exclude sales and excise taxes collected directly

from customers and paid directly to a local, State or

Federal tax agency. Also excluded are receipts from customers for carrying or other credit charges, and nonoperating income from such sources as investments and rental

or sale of real estate. However, a portion of the data

reported for capital expenditures, value of assets, depreciation and other operating expenses may pertain to real

estate owned by the business and leased to others, even

though corresponding data on sales exclude real estate

lease receipts.

Most data on sales presented in this report are reproduced from the U.S. Summary report of the 1992 Census

of Wholesale Trade. Preliminary estimates of all data items

in this report other than sales were multiplied by a ratio of

sales compiled in the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade to

sales compiled in the 1992 Annual Trade Survey. See

Method of Estimation in appendix A for further explanation.

Purchases. Purchases represent the total cost, after deduction of returns, allowances, and discounts, of merchandise

which was acquired in 1992 for resale, whether or not

payment for the merchandise was made during the year.

Purchases data include cash and credit purchases made at

central offices and company warehouses, but exclude

deliveries from central offices or warehouses, to the merchant wholesaler. Also included are: the cost of goods in

transit where title has passed to the purchaser; amounts

allowed for trade-ins; freight, delivery, and other transportation costs; and import duties (if paid separately).

Companies engaged in both manufacturing and wholesale operations were asked to report purchases at the cost

value of intercompany transfers from their plants or warehouses to their wholesale locations. These companies

were also requested to report the cost of outside purchases.

Purchases exclude: expenditures for containers, wrapping, packaging, and other supplies or equipment intended

for company use rather than for resale; the cost of raw

materials or parts purchased for manufacture into a finished product; and goods included in the purchase price of

a business. Also excluded are liquor and tobacco tax

stamps, which would be included under operating expenses.

Data presented in this report on purchases were collected in the 1992 Annual Trade Survey.

Inventories. Inventories represent stocks of merchandise

owned by merchant wholesalers on December 31st and

available for sale in the United States. A small amount of

inventories are reported at market value while most are

reported on a cost basis. Goods held for consignment and

items not for sale such as fixtures, equipment and supplies

are not included. Inventories were reported as of the close

of the calendar year, except for some businesses which

used a fiscal year for accounting purposes and were

adjusted to a calendar year basis. All inventory data

presented in this report were collected in the 1992 Annual

Trade Survey.

Measures of Value Produced

1. Cost of goods sold. This item was calculated for each

firm in the survey by adding all purchases of merchandise (net of returns, allowances, and discounts but

including charges from freight, insurance, etc.) during

the year to the beginning-of-year inventory, then deducting the end-of-year inventory from the total. Firms

were instructed to exclude the cost of packaging,

processing, shipping, and selling of goods from the

cost of purchases but to report these items under

‘‘operating expenses.’’

2. Gross margin. This item represents sales less cost of

goods sold. Gross margin is equivalent to the cost of

all materials (as distinguished from goods to be resold)

and services provided in merchant wholesale establishments whether provided by the merchant wholesaling firm itself or purchased by it from others. To the

extent that it includes cost of contract work done by

others on materials of the merchant wholesale firms,

gross margin includes an element of value added by

manufacturing.

3. Value added. Value added is the gross margin (as

defined above) less the cost of supplies, materials, fuel

and other energy, and the cost of contract work on

materials of the wholesaler.

4. Net income produced at market prices. This item

represents value added less lease and rental payments; cost of communication, advertising, repair,

legal, accounting, and computer related services; commissions to other firms; and amounts set aside for bad

debt losses and other losses not compensated by

insurance.

5. Net income produced at factor cost. This item represents net income produced at market prices less

depreciation, license fees, and taxes other than income

taxes. It includes payroll, employer contributions to the

FICA, and unemployment insurance.

Operating expenses. The types of operating expenses

requested on the report form are:

1. Annual payroll. Payroll includes all salaries, wages,

commissions, bonuses, and allowances for vacation,

holiday, and sick leave paid to employees in 1992

before payroll deductions. For corporations, it includes

amounts paid to officers and executives; for unincorporated businesses, it does not include payments to or

A-4 APPENDIX A WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
withdrawals from profits by owners or partners. (This

figure does not include employer contributions to plans

required by law and other plans besides vacation,

holiday, and sick leave.)

2. Employer costs for programs required by law. This

item includes all programs required under Federal and

State legislation such as FICA, unemployment tax,

workers’ compensation, and State disability payments.

3. Employer costs for other fringe benefits. This item

includes programs not specifically required by Federal

or State legislation, such as life and health insurance

premiums for employees.

4. Depreciation charges. This item includes depreciation

and amortization charges against depreciable assets

owned during 1992. Amounts representing tax-exempt

organizations, if not reported, were estimated even

though depreciation accounts may not be maintained.

5. Taxes. Includes all taxes and license fees paid during

1992 (excluding income and payroll taxes). It includes

tobacco and liquor tax stamps, fines, and property

taxes. It excludes direct payments to government tax

agencies for sales and other taxes collected directly

from customers.

6. Lease and rental payments. These are payments for

lease or rental of buildings, machinery and equipment.

Payments for machinery and equipment include use of

production machinery, office equipment, computer systems, passenger cars, trucks, materials handling equipment, and all other types of machinery and equipment.

7. Cost of office supplies, stationery, and postage.

8. Cost of purchased communication services. This item

includes cost of telephone, data transmission, telegraph, telex, teletype and all other communications

services purchased in 1992.

9. Cost of purchased electricity. Some businesses included

this expense as part of building/office lease payments.

10. Cost of purchased fuels. This includes fuels for heating, power, or generation of electricity, also sometimes

included in lease payments.

11. Cost of other utilities. This includes all utilities except

purchased fuels and electricity, also sometimes included

in lease payments.

12. Cost of materials. This includes purchases of containers, wrapping, packing and selling supplies used in

packaging, processing, shipping, and selling of goods.

Some businesses, due to recordkeeping, may have

included some of these costs as part of merchandise

purchases.

13. Cost of contract work done for wholesalers by other

firms.

14. Commissions paid to other firms.

15. Legal services purchased from other firms.

16. Accounting services purchased from other firms.

17. Computer related services. This item includes data

processing and other computer services purchased

from other firms. It excludes prepackaged software.

18. Cost of purchased repair services. This item includes

the total amount paid for noncapitalized repairs to

buildings, structures, machinery, and equipment such

as motor vehicles and office space. It excludes cost of

repairs to leased buildings and equipment covered by

regular lease payments.

19. All other operating expenses. This includes inventory

storage and shipping costs, insurance expense (nonemployee), uninsured casualty losses, and bad debt

losses. It excludes interest on loans and sales excise

taxes.

Capital expenditures. Capital expenditures refer to all

costs actually incurred in 1992 which were chargeable to

the depreciable assets accounts of a firm. These costs are

of the type for which depreciation or amortization accounts

are ordinarily maintained.

All items obtained through a capital lease on or after

January 1, 1992, are included. Excluded are capital expenditures made by a firm for property which it leased to others

as part of a capital lease arrangement.

Included are expenditures for new and used structures

(including those under construction at the end of 1992),

fixtures and equipment, additions, major alterations and

improvements to existing facilities, and capitalized repairs.

Also included are expenditures made by a firm for structures which, on completion, were or are to be sold or

leased back to that firm. (The value of trade-ins are not

deducted.)

Excluded are expenditures for land; items chargeable as

current operating expenses such as cost of maintenance,

repairs, supplies, etc.; expenditures for locations primarily

engaged in activities other than merchant wholesale; and

expenditures for goodwill, patents, or copyrights. Also

excluded are capital expenditures (except capital leases)

made by owners of property rented or leased to the

surveyed firms, but included are capital expenditures made

to property leased from others (leasehold improvements).

Cost of assets acquired during 1992 by tax-exempt

organizations, if not reported, were estimated even though

depreciation accounts may not be maintained.

Gross value of depreciable assets. This amount is the

acquisition value (original cost) of all assets for which

depreciation and amortization accounts are ordinarily maintained. Included are all improvements and new construction ‘‘in progress’’ but not completed at the end of 1992 and

the gross value of machinery and equipment owned by

retail firms but leased or rented to other firms except under

capital lease arrangements. Excluded are land and depletable assets (timber, mineral rights, etc.), nondepreciated

assets (cash, inventories, etc.), and all intangible assets

such as goodwill, patents, or copyrights.

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES APPENDIX A A-5
Cost of assets acquired by tax-exempt organizations, if

not reported, were estimated even though depreciation

accounts may not be maintained.

Deductions from depreciable assets. This amount represents the value of depreciable assets sold, retired,

scrapped, or destroyed during 1992, and other adjustments (except depreciation).

Legal form of organization. The legal form of organization for firms in this survey was based on the response to

the organizational status inquiry on other economic census

or survey forms as well as administrative records of other

Federal agencies.

Auxiliary establishments. In consideration of recordkeeping practices and for consistency with the related sales

data collected for 1992 in the annual business surveys,

each company in this survey was asked to include those

auxiliary locations whose primary functions were to manage, administer, service, or support the activities of the

main establishments covered by the report. Data presented in other reports from the 1992 Census of Wholesale

Trade exclude such auxiliaries. Capital expenditures and

other data for auxiliaries alone are released as part of the

1992 Enterprise Statistics program.

KIND-OF-BUSINESS CLASSIFICATIONS

Wholesale trade, major groups 50 and 51 in the 1987

SIC manual, includes establishments primarily engaged in

selling merchandise to retailers; to industrial, commercial,

institutional, farm, or professional business users; or to

other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers in buying

merchandise for or selling merchandise to such persons or

companies.

The principal types of establishments included are:

1. Merchant wholesalers who take title to the goods they

sell, such as wholesale merchants or jobbers, industrial distributors, voluntary group wholesalers, drop

shippers, retailer cooperative warehouses, terminal

elevators, and cooperative buying associations.

2. Manufacturers’ sales branches and offices (but not

retail stores) maintained by manufacturing or mining

enterprises apart from their plants or mines for the

purpose of marketing their products. Sales branches

and offices located at plants are included when separate records are available.

3. Agents, brokers, and commission merchants who buy

or sell products owned by others on a commission or

agency basis.

This survey is limited to merchant wholesalers (described

in category 1 above), which constitute the major portion of

wholesale trade. All kinds of business in which merchant

wholesalers operate are represented in this survey. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

used products are classified on the basis of the product

sold. Establishments primarily engaged in selling merchandise to contractors are included in wholesale trade, with the

exception of lumber yards and paint, glass, and wallpaper

stores. These exceptions are classified in retail trade if they

consider themselves retail, sell to the general public, and

their sales to contractors and the general public is more

than half their total sales.

Establishments covered by the census were assigned

kind-of-business classifications according to the industry

classifications defined in the 1987 SIC manual. When a

more detailed classification than defined in the SIC manual

was needed, additional kinds-of-business were identified

within an SIC industry.

Kind-of-business classifications are not interchangeable

with commodity classifications, because most businesses

sell several kinds of commodities. The kind-of-business

code assigned generally reflects either the individual commodity or the commodity group which is the primary source

of the establishment’s receipts, or some mixture of commodities which characterizes the establishment’s business. Thus, the classification of establishments by kind of

business does not make it possible to determine either the

number of establishments handling a particular commodity

or the sales of that commodity. For example, the groceries

and related products classification excludes establishments

selling food if the sale of food is not the primary source of

receipts; moreover, even though establishments are classified as groceries and related products, some of their

receipts may be derived from the sale of nonfood products.

Information on the extent to which commodities are handled

by different kinds of business is available in the 1992

Census of Wholesale Trade report, Commodity Line Sales

(WC92-S-3). Descriptions of the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade kind-of-business classifications follow:

Durable Goods

(SIC Major Group 50)

This major group includes establishments primarily engaged

in the wholesale distribution of durable goods.

Motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and

supplies (SIC 501)

Automobiles and other motor vehicles (SIC 5012).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of new and used passenger automobiles, trucks,

trailers, and other motor vehicles, including motorcycles,

motor homes, and snowmobiles. Automobile distributors

primarily engaged in selling at retail to individual customers

for personal use, and also selling a limited amount of new

and used passenger automobiles and trucks at wholesale,

are classified in Retail Trade, Industry 5511.

Motor vehicle supplies and new parts (SIC 5013).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of motor vehicle supplies, accessories, tools, and

equipment; and new motor vehicle parts.

A-6 APPENDIX A WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
Tires and tubes (SIC 5014). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of tires and tubes for

passenger and commercial vehicles.

Motor vehicle parts, used (SIC 5015). Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution at wholesale or retail of used motor vehicle parts. This industry

includes establishments primarily engaged in dismantling

motor vehicles for the purpose of selling parts. Establishments primarily engaged in dismantling motor vehicles for

scrap are classified in Industry 5093.

Furniture and homefurnishings (SIC 502)

Furniture (SIC 5021). Establishments primarily engaged in

the wholesale distribution of furniture, including bedsprings,

mattresses, and other household furniture; office furniture;

and furniture for public parks and buildings. Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of partitions, shelving, lockers, and store fixtures are classified in

Industry 5046.

Homefurnishings (SIC 5023). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of homefurnishings

and housewares, including antiques; china; glassware and

earthenware; lamps (including electric), curtains and draperies; linens and towels; and carpets, linoleum, and all

other types of hard and soft surface floor coverings.

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of other electrical household goods are classified in

Industry 5064, and those distributing precious metal flatware are classified in Industry 5094.

Lumber and other construction materials

(SIC 503)

Lumber, plywood, millwork, and wooded panels (SIC

5031). Establishments, with or without yards, primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of rough, dressed,

and finished lumber (but not timber); plywood; reconstituted wood fiber products; doors and windows and their

frames (all materials); wood fencing; and other wood or

metal millwork.

Brick, stone, and related construction materials (SIC

5032). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale

distribution of stone, cement, lime, construction sand, and

gravel; brick (except refractory); asphalt and concrete

mixtures; and concrete, stone, and structural clay products

(other than refractories). Distributors of industrial sand and

of refractory materials are classified in Industry 5085.

Establishments primarily engaged in producing ready-mixed

concrete are classified in Manufacturing, Industry 3273.

Roofing, siding, and insulation materials (SIC 5033).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of roofing, siding (except wood), and insulation

materials.

Construction materials, n.e.c. (SIC 5039). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

mobile homes and of construction materials, not elsewhere

classified, including prefabricated buildings and glass. Establishments selling construction materials to the general

public and known as retail in the trade are classified in

Retail Trade, Industry 5211. Establishments primarily engaged

in marketing heavy structural metal products are classified

in Industry 5051.

Professional and commercial equipment and

supplies (SIC 504)

Photographic equipment and supplies (SIC 5043).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of photographic equipment and supplies. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

photocopy, microfilm, and similar equipment are classified

in Industry 5044.

Office equipment (SIC 5044). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of office machines

and related equipment, including photocopy and microfilm

equipment, and safes and vaults. These establishments

frequently also sell office supplies. However, establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling most office supplies are classified in Industry Group 511. Establishments

primarily engaged in wholesaling office furniture are classified in Industry 5021; and those wholesaling computers

and peripheral equipment are classified in Industry 5045.

Computers and computer peripheral equipment and

software (SIC 5045). Establishments primarily engaged in

the wholesale distribution of computers, computer peripheral equipment, and computer software. These establishments frequently may sell related supplies, but establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling supplies are classified

according to the individual product (for example, computer

paper in Industry 5112). Establishments primarily engaged

in the wholesale distribution of modems and other electronic communications equipment are classified in Industry

5065. Establishments primarily engaged in selling computers and computer peripheral equipment and software for

other than business or professional use are classified in

Retail Trade, Industry 5734.

Commercial equipment, n.e.c. (SIC 5046). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

commercial and related machines and equipment, not

elsewhere classified, such as commercial cooking and

food service equipment; partitions, shelving, lockers, and

store fixtures; electrical signs; and balances and scales,

except laboratory.

Medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies

(SIC 5047). Establishments primarily engaged in the

wholesale distribution of surgical and other medical instruments, apparatus, and equipment; dentist equipment; artificial limbs; operating room and hospital equipment; X-ray

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES APPENDIX A A-7
machines; and other electromedical equipment and apparatus used by physicians and in hospitals. Also included in

this industry are establishments primarily engaged in the

wholesale distribution of professional supplies used by

medical and dental practitioners.

Ophthalmic goods (SIC 5048). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of professional equipment and goods used, prescribed, or sold by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians, including ophthalmic

frames, lenses, and sunglass lenses.

Professional equipment and supplies, n.e.c. (SIC 5049).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of professional equipment and supplies, not elsewhere classified, such as drafting instruments, laboratory

equipment, and scientific instruments.

Metals and minerals, except petroleum (SIC 505)

Metals service centers and offices (SIC 5051). Establishments primarily engaged in marketing semifinished

metal products, except precious metals. Establishments in

this industry may operate with warehouses (metals service

centers) or without warehouses (metals sales offices).

Establishments primarily engaged in marketing precious

metals are classified in Industry 5094. Data shown in the

report include manufacturers’ sales branches for SIC 5051

pt., Ferrous Metals Service Centers.

Coal and other minerals and ores (SIC 5052). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

coal and coke; copper, iron, lead, and other metallic ores,

including precious metal ores; and crude nonmetalic minerals (including concentrates), except crude petroleum.

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of nonmetallic minerals used in construction, such

as sand and gravel, are classified in Industry 5032. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

crude petroleum are classified in Industry Group 517.

Electrical goods (SIC 506)

This industry group includes establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of electrical generating, distributing, and wiring equipment. It also includes

household appliances, whether electrically, manually, or

mechanically powered. This industry group does not include

electrical commercial and industrial machines, in which

electricity does the work directly, e.g., heating, turning a

shaft, or ionizing a substance, or electrically powered

commercial and industrial machines which are classified in

Industry Group 504 or 508.

Electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies,

and construction materials (SIC 5063). Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of electrical

power equipment for the generation, transmission, distribution, or control of electric energy; electrical construction

materials for outside power transmission lines and for

electrical systems and electric light fixtures and bulbs.

Construction contractors primarily engaged in installing

electrical systems and equipment from their own stock are

classified in Construction, Industry 1731.

Electrical appliances, television and radio sets (SIC

5064). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale

distribution of radio and television receiving sets, other

household electronic sound or video equipment, self-contained

air-conditioning room units, and household electrical appliances. Also included are establishments primarily engaged

in the wholesale distribution of household gas and electric

laundry equipment and refrigerators and freezers.

Electronic parts and equipment, n.e.c. (SIC 5065). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

electronic parts and electronic communications equipment,

not elsewhere classified, such as telephone and telegraph

equipment; radio and television broadcasting and communications equipment; and intercommunications equipment.

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of radio and television receiving sets, phonographs,

CD-players, and other household sound or video equipment are classified in Industry 5064.

Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment

and supplies (SIC 507)

Hardware (SIC 5072). Establishments primarily engaged

in the wholesale distribution of cutlery and general hardware, including hand saws; saw blades; brads, staples,

and tacks; and bolts, nuts, rivets, and screws. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

nails, noninsulated wire, and screening are classified in

Industry 5051.

Plumbing and heating equipment and supplies (hydronics) (SIC 5074). Establishments primarily engaged in the

wholesale distribution of hydronic plumbing and heating

equipment and supplies. Construction contractors primarily

engaged in installing plumbing and heating equipment from

their own stock are classified in Construction, Industry

1711.

Warm air heating and air-conditioning equipment and

supplies (SIC 5075). Establishments primarily engaged in

the wholesale distribution of warm air heating and airconditioning equipment and supplies. Construction contractors primarily engaged in installing warm air heating and

air-conditioning equipment are classified in Construction,

Industry 1711.

Refrigeration equipment and supplies (SIC 5078).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of refrigeration equipment and supplies. Construction contractors primarily engaged in installation of refrigeration equipment from their own stock are classified in

Construction, Industry 1711.

A-8 APPENDIX A WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
Machinery, equipment, and supplies (SIC 508)

Construction and mining (except petroleum) machinery and equipment (SIC 5082). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of construction or

mining cranes, excavating machinery and equipment, power

shovels, road construction and maintenance machinery,

tractor-mounting equipment, and other specialized machinery and equipment used in the construction, mining, and

logging industries. Establishments engaged in marketing

oil well machinery and equipment are classified in Industry

5084.

Farm and garden machinery and equipment (SIC 5083).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of agricultural machinery and equipment for use in

preparation and maintenance of the soil, the planting and

harvesting of crops, and other operations and processes

pertaining to work on the farm, lawn, or garden; and dairy

and other livestock equipment.

Industrial machinery and equipment (SIC 5084). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

industrial machinery and equipment, not elsewhere classified.

Industrial supplies (SIC 5085). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of industrial supplies,

not elsewhere classified.

Service establishment equipment and supplies (SIC

5087). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale

distribution of equipment and supplies for barber shops,

beauty parlors, power laundries, dry-cleaning plants, upholsterers, undertakers, and related personal service establishments.

Transportation equipment and supplies, except motor

vehicles (SIC 5088). Establishments primarily engaged in

the wholesale distribution of transportation equipment and

supplies. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts

are classified in Industry Group 501, and those distributing

pleasure boats are classified in Industry 5091.

Miscellaneous durable goods (SIC 509)

Sporting and recreational goods and supplies (SIC

5091). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale

distribution of sporting goods and accessories; billiard and

pool supplies; sporting firearms and ammunition; and marine

pleasure craft, equipment and supplies. Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of motor

vehicles and trailers are classified in Industry 5012; those

distributing self-propelled golf carts are classified in Industry 5088; and those distributing athletic apparel and footwear are classified in Industry Group 513.

Toys and hobby goods and supplies (SIC 5092). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

games, toys, hobby goods and supplies, and related

goods, such as fireworks and playing cards.

Scrap and waste materials (SIC 5093). Establishments

primarily engaged in assembling, breaking up, sorting, and

wholesale distribution of scrap and waste materials. This

industry includes auto wreckers engaged in dismantling

automobiles for scrap. However, those engaged in dismantling automobiles for the purpose of selling secondhand

parts at retail are classified in Industry 5015.

Jewelry, watches, precious stones, and precious metals (SIC 5094). Establishments primarily engaged in the

wholesale distribution of jewelry, precious stones and

metals, costume jewelry, watches, clocks, silverware, and

jewelers’ findings. Establishments primarily engaged in the

wholesale distribution of precious metal ores are classified

in Industry 5052.

Durable goods, n.e.c. (SIC 5099). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of durable goods,

not elsewhere classified, such as musical instruments and

forest products, except lumber.

Nondurable Goods

(SIC Major Group 51)

This major group includes establishments primarily engaged

in the wholesale distribution of nondurable goods.

Paper and paper products (SIC 511)

Printing and writing paper (SIC 5111). Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of printing

and writing paper, including envelope paper; fine paper;

and groundwood paper.

Stationery and office supplies (SIC 5112). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

stationery and office supplies, including computer and

photocopy supplies, envelopes, typewriter paper, file cards

and folders, pens, pencils, social stationery, and greeting

cards.

Industrial and personal service paper (SIC 5113).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of wrapping and other coarse paper, paperboard,

and converted paper and related disposable plastic products, such as bags, boxes, dishes, eating utensils, napkins,

and shipping supplies.

Drugs, drug proprietaries, and druggists’

sundries (SIC 512)

Drugs, drug proprietaries, and druggists’ sundries

(SIC 5122). Establishments primarily engaged in the

wholesale distribution of prescription drugs, proprietary

drugs, druggists’ sundries, and toiletries. Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of surgical,

dental, and hospital equipment are classified in Industry

5047.

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES APPENDIX A A-9
Apparel, piece goods, and notions (SIC 513)

Piece goods, notions, and other dry goods (SIC 5131).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of piece goods or yard goods of natural or manmade fibers, notions (sewing and hair accessories, etc.),

and other dry goods. Converters who buy fabric goods

(except knit goods) in the grey, have them finished on

contract, and sell at wholesale are included here. Converters of knit goods are classified in Manufacturing, Industry

Group 225. This industry does not include establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of homefurnishings which are classified in Industry 5023.

Men’s and boys’ clothing and furnishings (SIC 5136).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of men’s and boys’ apparel and furnishings, sportswear, hosiery, underwear, nightwear, and work clothing.

Women’s, children’s, and infants’ clothing and accessories (SIC 5137). Establishments primarily engaged in

the wholesale distribution of women’s, children’s, and

infants’ clothing and accessories, including hosiery, lingerie, millinery, and furs.

Footwear (SIC 5139). Establishments primarily engaged

in the wholesale distribution of footwear (including athletic)

made of leather, rubber, and other materials.

Groceries and related products (SIC 514)

Groceries, general-line (SIC 5141). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of a general

line of groceries. Establishments primarily engaged in

roasting coffee, blending tea, or grinding and packaging

spices are classified in Manufacturing Major Group 20.

Packaged frozen foods (SIC 5142). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of packaged

quick-frozen vegetables, juices, meats, fish, poultry, pastries, and other ‘‘deep freeze’’ products. Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of frozen

dairy products are classified in Industry 5143, and those

distributing frozen poultry, fish, and meat which are not

packaged are classified in Industries 5144, 5146, and

5147, respectively.

Dairy products, except dried or canned (SIC 5143).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of dairy products, such as butter, cheese, ice cream

and ices, and fluid milk and cream. This industry does not

include establishments primarily engaged in pasteurizing

and bottling milk, which are classified in Manufacturing,

Industry Group 202. Establishments primarily engaged in

the wholesale distribution of dried or canned dairy products

are classified in Industry 5149.

Poultry and poultry products (SIC 5144). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

poultry and poultry products, except canned and packaged

frozen products. This industry does not include establishments primarily engaged in the killing and dressing of

poultry, which are classified in Manufacturing, Industry

2015. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale

distribution of packaged frozen poultry are classified in

Industry 5142, and those distributing canned poultry are

classified in Industry 5149.

Confectionery (SIC 5145). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of confectionery and

related products, such as candy, chewing gum, fountain

fruits, salted or roasted nuts, popcorn, fountain syrups, and

potato, corn, and similar chips.

Fish and seafoods (SIC 5146). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution (but not packaging)

of fresh, cured, or frozen fish and seafoods, except canned

or packaged frozen. The preparation of fresh or frozen

packaged fish and other seafood, and the shucking and

packing of fresh oysters in nonsealed containers, are

classified in Manufacturing, Industry 2092. Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of canned

seafood are classified in Industry 5149, and those distributing packaged frozen foods are classified in Industry

5142.

Meats and meat products (SIC 5147). Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of fresh,

cured, and processed (but not canned) meats and lard.

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of frozen packaged meats are classified in Industry

5142, and those distributing canned meats are classified in

Industry 5149.

Fresh fruits and vegetables (SIC 5148). Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of fresh

fruits and vegetables.

Groceries and related products, n.e.c. (SIC 5149). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

groceries and related products, not elsewhere classified.

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of soft drinks, and in bottling and distributing natural

spring and mineral waters, are classified in this industry,

but establishments primarily engaged in bottling soft drinks

are classified in Manufacturing, Major Group 20. This

industry does not include establishments primarily engaged

in the wholesale distribution of farm-product raw materials

classified in Industry Group 515, nor those distributing

beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverages of Industry

Group 518.

Farm-product raw materials (SIC 515)

Grain and field beans (SIC 5153). Establishments primarily engaged in buying and/or marketing grain (such as

corn, wheat, oats, barley, and unpolished rice); dry beans;

A-10 APPENDIX A WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES
soybeans, and other inedible beans. Country grain elevators primarily engaged in buying or receiving grain from

farmers are included, as well as terminal elevators and

other merchants marketing grain. Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of field and garden

seeds are classified in Industry 5191.

Livestock (SIC 5154). Establishments primarily engaged

in buying and/or marketing cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats.

This industry also includes the operation of livestock auction markets.

Farm-product raw materials, n.e.c. (SIC 5159). Establishments primarily engaged in buying and/or marketing

farm products, not elsewhere classified. Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of milk are

classified in Industry 5143, and those distributing live

poultry are classified in Industry 5144.

Chemicals and allied products (SIC 516)

Plastics materials and basic forms and shapes (SIC

5162). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale

distribution of plastics materials, and of unsupported plastics film, sheets, sheeting, rods, tubes, and other basic

forms and shapes.

Chemicals and allied products, n.e.c. (SIC 5169). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

chemicals and allied products, not elsewhere classified,

such as acids, industrial and heavy chemicals, dyestuffs,

industrial salts, rosin, and turpentine. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of ammunition

are classified in Industry Group 509; those distributing

agricultural chemicals and pesticides are classified in Industry 5191; those distributing drugs are classified in Industry

5122; and those distributing pigments, paints, and varnishes are classified in Industry 5198.

Petroleum and petroleum products (SIC 517)

This industry group includes establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of crude petroleum

and petroleum products. Included are establishments primarily engaged in the distribution of liquefied petroleum

gas. Establishments primarily engaged in the transmission

and/or distribution of natural gas are classified in Utilities,

Industry Group 492.

Petroleum bulk stations and terminals (SIC 5171).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of crude petroleum and petroleum products from

bulk liquid storage facilities. These establishments have a

bulk liquid storage capacity of 10,000 gallons or more.

Petroleum and petroleum products wholesalers, except

bulk stations and terminals (SIC 5172). Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of crude

petroleum and petroleum products. These establishments

do not have a bulk liquid storage capacity of 10,000 gallons

or more. Included are packaged and bottled petroleum

products distributors, truck jobbers, and others marketing

petroleum and its products at wholesale.

Beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverages

(SIC 518)

Beer and ale (SIC 5181) Establishments primarily engaged

in the wholesale distribution of beer, ale, porter, and other

fermented malt beverages.

Wine and distilled alcoholic beverages (SIC 5182).

Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of distilled spirits, including neutral spirits and ethyl

alcohol used in blended wines and distilled liquors.

Miscellaneous nondurable goods (SIC 519)

Farm supplies (SIC 5191). Establishments primarily

engaged in the wholesale distribution of animal feeds,

fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, pesticides, seeds, and

other farm supplies, except grains. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of pet food are

classified in Industry 5149, and those distributing pet

supplies are classified in Industry 5199.

Books, periodicals, and newspapers (SIC 5192). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

books, periodicals, and newspapers.

Flowers, nursery stock, and florists’ supplies (SIC

5193). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale

distribution of flowers, nursery stock, and florists’ supplies.

Tobacco and tobacco products (SIC 5194). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

tobacco and its products. Leaf tobacco wholesalers are

classified in Industry 5159, and establishments primarily

engaged in stemming and redrying tobacco are classified

in Manufacturing, Industry 2141.

Paints, varnishes, and supplies (SIC 5198). Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of

paints, varnishes, wallpaper, and supplies. Establishments

selling to the general public and known as retail in the trade

are classified in Retail Trade, Industry 5231.

Nondurable goods, n.e.c. (SIC 5199). Establishments

primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of nondurable goods, not elsewhere classified, such as art goods,

industrial yarns, textile bags, and bagging and burlap.

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES APPENDIX A A-11
Appendix B.

Sample Report Form

The sample report form is shown on the following pages.

WHOLESALE TRADE—SUBJECT SERIES APPENDIX B B–1
TIPS [UPF] BATCH_146 [ACEN,C_ARLEDGE] 10/25/94 12:24 PM MACHINE: EPCV22 DATA:VOL1_TIPS_APXB_01.TIPS;1 * 10/12/94 09:48:00 TAPE: NOreel FRAME: 3

TSF:TIPS92-09482232.DAT;1 10/12/94 09:48:35 UTF:TIPS93-09482232.DAT;1 10/12/94 09:48:36 META:VOL1_TIPS96_APXB_01.DAT;6 10/12/94 09:49:15
Appendix C.

Changes in Wholesale Trade Kind~of~Business

Classifications for 1992

[Based on revisions to the Standard Industrial classification (SIC) Manual, definitions of some kinds of business were changed for 1987. The significant changes in SIC codes from 1972 to 1987 are listed

below. For industries other than those listed, the SIC definitions are the same as those used since 1972, or contain only minor revisions affecting the classification of few, if any, establishments]

1987 SIC (used for 1992 census reports) 1972 SIC (used for 1972, 1977, and 1982 census reports

and 1987 Assets and Expenditures report)

Code Title Code Title

5013 Motor vehicle supplies and new parts........................................... nn5013 pt. Automotive parts and supplies (except used)

nn5013 pt. Used automotive parts, equipment and supplies (wholesale)

nn5931 pt. Used automotive parts, equipment and supplies (retail) 5015 Motor vehicle parts, used .....................................................

5023 Homefurnishings1............................................................ nn5023 Home furnishings1

5032 Brick, stone, and related construction materials ..................................

5033 Roofing, siding, and insulation materials ........................................

5039 Construction materials, n.e.c...................................................

nn5039 Construction materials, n.e.c.

5044 Office equipment ............................................................

5045 Computers and computer peripheral equipment and software......................

5046 Commercial equipment, n.e.c. .................................................

nn5081 Commercial machines and equipment

5047 Medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies.............................

5048 Ophthalmic goods ...........................................................

5049 Professional equipment and supplies, n.e.c. .....................................

nn5086 Professional equipment and supplies

5063 Electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and construction materials...... nn5063 pt. Electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and construction materials2

nn5065 Electronic parts and equipment

nn5063 pt. Electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and construction materials 5065 Electronic parts and equipment, n.e.c. .......................................... 3

5082 Construction and mining (except petroleum) machinery and equipment1 ............ nn5082 Construction and mining machinery and equipment

nn5084 Industrial machinery and equipment

nn5063 pt. Electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies and construction materials 5084 Industrial machinery and equipment ............................................ 4

5091 Sporting and recreational goods and supplies1................................... nn5041 Sporting and recreational goods and supplies

5092 Toys and hobby goods and supplies1........................................... nn5042 Toys and hobby goods and supplies

5094 Jewelry, watches, precious stones, and precious metals1 ......................... nn5094 Jewelry, watches, diamonds, and other precious stones1

nn5099 Durable goods, n.e.c.

nn5199 pt. Nondurable goods, n.e.c. 5099 Durable goods, n.e.c. ........................................................ 5

5112 Stationery and office supplies1................................................. nn5112 Stationery supplies1

nn5133 Piece goods (woven fabrics)

nn5134 Notions and other dry goods 5131 Piece goods, notions, and other dry goods ......................................

5142 Packaged frozen foods1 ...................................................... nn5142 Frozen foods1

5143 Dairy products, except dried or canned1 ........................................ nn5143 Dairy products1

5153 Grain and field beans1........................................................ nn5153 Grain1

nn5152 Cotton

nn5159 Farm~product raw materials, n.e.c. 5159 Farm~product raw materials, n.e.c. .............................................

5162 Plastics materials and basic forms and shapes ..................................

5169 Chemicals and allied products, n.e.c. ........................................... nn5161 Chemicals and allied products

5192 Books, periodicals, and newspapers............................................

5193 Flowers, nursery stock, and florists’ supplies ....................................

5199 Nondurable goods, n.e.c. .....................................................

nn5199 Nondurable goods, n.e.c.6

1No change in content.

2Excluding electrical communications equipment now in SIC 5065 and electrical measuring and testing equipment now in SIC 5084.

3Electrical communications equipment part only, now in SIC 5065.

4Electrical measuring and testing equipment part only, now in SIC 5084.

5General merchandise, durable part only, now in SIC 5099.

6All of SIC 5199 except durable goods general merchandise wholesalers. In 1972, all general merchandise wholesalers were in SIC 5199, for 1987 general merchandise wholesalers selling

primarily durable goods were moved to SIC 5099.

WHOLESALE TRADEmSUBJECT SERIES APPENDIX CnnC–1
1992 CENSUS OF WHOLESALE TRADE

Publications of the 1992 Census of Wholesale Trade, containing data on wholesale trade establishments with payroll in the

United States, are described below. Publication order forms for

specific reports may be obtained from any Department of Commerce district office or from Customer Services, Bureau of the

Census, Washington, DC 20233-1900. The first results were

issued in press releases. Final detailed statistics are issued in

separate paperbound reports and compact disc-read only memory

(CD-ROM).

Final Reports

Geographic area series—52 reports

(WC92-A-1 to -52)

A separate paperbound report containing data for establishments with payroll is published for each State, the District of

Columbia, and the United States. Each report presents general

statistics for establishments with payroll, on number of establishments, sales, payroll, employment, operating expenses, and

inventories. At the State level, data also are presented separately

for the following types of wholesale operations: merchant wholesalers; manufacturers’ sales branches and offices; and agents,

brokers, and commission merchants. Less type-of-operation detail

is shown below the State level. For States, MA’s, and counties

and places with 200 wholesale establishments or more, statistics

are presented by kind of business. Greater kind-of-business detail

is shown for larger areas. In addition, data are shown for all

places with 2,500 inhabitants or more and all counties (with no

kind-of-business detail). For each State, the District of Columbia,

and the United States, 1992 data are provided on sales and

employees per establishment, sales and payroll per employee,

payroll as a percent of operating expenses, and operating expenses

and end-of-year inventories as percentages of sales. Comparative statistics showing percent changes in sales and payroll

between 1987 and 1992 also are shown by kind of business.

Subject series—4 reports

(WC92-S-1 to -4)

The Establishment and Firm Size report (WC92-S-1) presents

data for establishments with payroll, based on size of establishment, size of company or firm, and legal form of organization.

Establishment statistics are presented by sales size and by

employment size; statistics for firms by sales size (including

concentration by largest firms), by employment size, and by

number of establishments operated (single units and multiunits).

Statistics are presented by kind of business on the number of

establishments, sales, payroll, and employment for the United

States.

The Measures of Value Produced, Capital Expenditures, Depreciable Assets, and Operating Expenses report (WC92-S-2) presents data on measures of value produced, capital expenditures,

depreciable assets, and operating expenses for firms with payroll

for the United States by major kind of business. Measures of

value produced include gross margin, value added, and net

income produced at market prices and factor costs. Operating

expenses include annual payroll, supplemental labor costs, purchased services, etc. Sales, purchases, and beginning and

ending inventories data also are provided.

The Commodity Line Sales report (WC92-S-3) presents data

on major categories of commodities sold by wholesale kind of

business for the United States. Data for 15 selected MA’s and 15

selected States will be available on electronic media only. Tables

present data for each kind of business and show, for each

commodity line, the number of establishments handling the line

and their sales of the line; the percentage of total sales of the kind

of business accounted for by each of the lines carried; and, for

establishments actually handling a specific line, the percentage of

total sales represented by sales of that line. Summary statistics

also are provided for the broad commodity line categories,

including counts of establishments and the amount and percentage of the line sold by various kinds of wholesale businesses.

The Miscellaneous Subjects report (WC92-S-4) contains data

by kind of business on employment by principal activity; sales by

class of customer; inventory valuation methods; commissions and

gross selling value of business conducted for others by agents

and brokers; gross margins, gross profits, and their components;

and on petroleum bulk stations and terminals. Data are presented

for the United States as a whole; for petroleum bulk stations and

terminals, States, and counties.

Electronic Media

All data included in the printed reports are available on

CD-ROM. The CD-ROM’s provide the same information found in

the final reports as well as additional information not published in

the final reports, such as commodity line sales data for States

(WC92-S-3). Electronic media products are available for users

who wish to summarize, rearrange, or process large amounts of

data. These products, with corresponding technical documentation, are sold by Customer Services, Bureau of the Census,

Washington, DC 20233-1900.

OTHER ECONOMIC CENSUS REPORTS

Data on retail trade, service industries, transportation, communications, utilities, financial, insurance, real estate, construction

industries, manufactures, mineral industries, enterprise statistics,

minority-owned business enterprises, and women-owned businesses also are available from the 1992 Economic Census. A

separate series of reports covers the census of outlying areas:

Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, and the

Northern Marianas. Separate announcements describing these

reports are available free of charge from Customer Services,

Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233-1900.

Publication Program