[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 66598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33173]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Advance Monthly Retail Sales Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 17, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to: Ronald L. Piencykoski, Bureau of the Census, 
Room 2626-FOB 3, Washington, D.C. 20233-6500, (301) 457-2713.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Advance Monthly Retail Sales Survey (MARTS) provides an early 
indication of current retail sales activity at the United States level. 
Policymakers such as the Federal Reserve Board need to have the most 
timely estimates in order to anticipate economic trends and act 
accordingly. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Council of 
Economic Advisors, and other government agencies and businesses use the 
data to formulate economic policy and make decisions. These estimates 
have a high BEA priority because of their timeliness. There would be 
approximately a month delay in the availability of these data if this 
survey were not conducted. Data are collected monthly from small, 
medium, and large size businesses, selected using a stratified random 
sampling procedure. The MARTS sample is reselected periodically, 
generally at two year intervals. Small and medium-size retailers are 
requested to participate for those two years, after which they are 
replaced with new panel members. Smaller firms have less of a chance 
for selection due to our sampling procedure. Firms canvassed in this 
survey are not required to maintain additional records and carefully 
prepared estimates are acceptable if book figures are not available. 
The change in the response burden is a result of a larger sample size. 
The sample was increased from 3,363 to 4,100 to improve the quality of 
the estimates.

II. Method of Collection

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

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0104.
    Form Number: B-104.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Retail Businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,100.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .0833 hrs (5 minutes).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,100 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondent is 
estimated to be $55,965, based on annual response burden of 4,100 hours 
and a rate of $13.65 per hour to complete the form.
    Respondent's Obligation: voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 15, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer,
Office of Management and Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-33173 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P