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Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS)
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Sample Selection


20.  What services will be covered in the ARTS?

The Annual Retail Trade Survey covers the following sectors:

Retail Trade (Sectors 44, 45) and Accommodation and Food Services (Sector 72)
These sectors have been designated by NAICS.

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21.  How was my company selected for the survey?

Your firm was chosen from a scientifically selected sample of businesses. Taking a sample is less costly than contacting every business in the country. Smaller firms selected for the sample represent other similar businesses.

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22.  How long will I be in the survey?

The sample is revised approximately every five years in order to relieve most firms from the burden of continually reporting. While the largest firms continue to be canvassed, most of the small and medium sized firms are not re-selected.

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23.  I'm a very small business. Why do you want information from me?

Taken together, small businesses have a real impact on the economy. Your firm was chosen from a scientifically selected sample of businesses and represents many other small businesses like yours.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau | BHS Team |   Last Revised: December 17, 2012 17:24:43