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[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63805-63806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26149]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 100921462-0461-01]

Annual Wholesale Trade Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of determination.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of the 
Census (Census Bureau) publishes this notice to announce that the 
Director of the Census Bureau has determined the need to conduct the 
2010 Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS). AWTS covers firms with 
establishments located in the United States and classified in the 
Wholesale Trade Sector as defined by the 2002 North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS). Specifically, AWTS includes wholesale 
distributors; manufacturers' sales branches and offices; and agents, 
brokers, and electronic markets. Through this survey, the Census Bureau 
will collect data on annual sales, e-commerce sales, purchases, total 
operating expenses, year-end inventories held both inside and outside 
the United States, commissions, total operating revenue, and gross 
selling value. These data are collected to provide a sound statistical 
basis for the formation of policy by various government agencies. These 
data will be available for use for a variety of public and business 
needs such as economic and market analysis, company performance, and 
forecasting future demand.

ADDRESSES: The Census Bureau will provide report forms to businesses 
included in the survey. Additional copies are available upon written 
request to the Director, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Miller, Service Sector Statistics 
Division, on (301) 763-2758 or by e-mail on [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sections 182, 224, and 225 of Title 13 of 
the United States Code authorize the Census Bureau to take surveys that 
are necessary to produce current data on the subjects covered by the 
major censuses. As part of this authorization, the Census Bureau 
conducts the AWTS to provide continuing and timely national statistics 
data on wholesale trade activity for the period between economic 
censuses.
    For 2010, the survey will, as it has in the past, consist of a 
sample of wholesale distributors; manufacturers' sales branches and 
offices; and agent, brokers, and electronic markets. The data collected 
in this survey will be similar to that collected in the past and within 
the general scope and nature of those inquiries covered in the economic 
census. These data are collected to provide a sound statistical basis 
for the formation of policy by various government agencies. These data 
will be available for use for a variety of public and business needs 
such as economic and market analysis, company performance, and 
forecasting future demand.
    From wholesale distributors, the Census Bureau will collect data 
covering sales, e-commerce sales, year-end inventories held inside and 
outside the United States, purchases, and total operating expenses. 
From manufacturers' sales branches and offices, the Census Bureau will 
collect data covering annual sales, e-commerce sales, year-end 
inventories held inside and outside the United States and total 
operating expenses. From agents, brokers, and electronic markets, the 
Census Bureau will collect data covering commissions, total operating 
revenue, gross selling value, and total operating expenses. For more 
information on the components of wholesale activity covered under this 
survey, please see the North American Industry Classification System 
Web site at http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/index.html. The Census 
Bureau has determined that the conduct of this survey is necessary as 
these data are not available publicly on a timely basis from non-
governmental or other government sources.
    The Census Bureau will request a sample of firms engaged in the 
three covered wholesale activities to respond to the 2010 AWTS. Firms 
are selected for this survey using a stratified random

[[Page 63806]]

sample based on industry groupings and annual sales size. We will 
provide report forms to the firms covered by this survey in January 
2011 and will require their responses within 30 days after receipt. 
Responses to AWTS are required by law (Title 13 U.S.C. Sections 182, 
224, and 225). The sample of firms selected will provide, with 
measurable reliability, statistics on annual sales, e-commerce sales, 
purchases, total operating expenses, year-end inventories held both 
inside and outside the Unites States, commissions, total operating 
revenue, and gross selling value for 2010.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control 
number. In accordance with the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521, OMB approved 
the AWTS under OMB control number 0607-0195.
    Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that the annual survey be 
conducted for the purpose of collecting these data.

    Dated: October 12, 2010.
Robert M. Groves,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 2010-26149 Filed 10-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
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