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Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS)


Business Help Site
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  econhelp.census.gov/mrts

Sample Selection


12.  If I need another copy of the questionnaire(s), how can I obtain one?

You may call our National Processing Center on 1-800-772-7852 weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET to request a replacement copy. You can find our forms under the "Forms and Letters" tab located above.

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13.  What is NAICS?

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) is used to classify a business' primary activity. It replaced SIC (Standard Industry Classification) in 1997.

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14.  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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15.  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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16.  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: January 04, 2018 14:14:43