[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] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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