2012 Economic Census

Sector 44-45
Retail Trade

FAQs for this sector
List of all forms in this sector

This section provides information about census coverage and reporting for establishments in the Retail Trade sector. It includes answers to frequently asked questions about this sector and its census forms.

Establishments Covered

The Retail Trade sector comprises store and nonstore establishments engaged in retailing merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. NAICS classifies retail establishments in the Retail Trade sector using numbers that start with 44 or 45. The Economic Census covers all retail establishments with paid employees that operated during all or part of calendar year 2012.

Census Mail Package

Retail establishments with paid employees will receive a census mail package that may include several types of materials. The materials are similar in content but customized to make reporting easier for different groups of retail establishments. Each establishment will receive either a census form or a classification form. In addition, establishments that receive a census form will also receive an Information Sheet and may receive a Supplemental Instruction flyer. Establishments that receive a classification form will not receive additional materials.

Information Sheets provide general information about the census and instructions for reporting selected items on the census form. Single-establishment businesses will receive Information Sheet RT-S_I_12, and multi-establishment businesses will receive Information Sheet RT-M_I_12.

Census Forms Census Forms describe each data item for retail establishments and provide instructions and formats for reporting them. Census forms for retail establishments are numbered RT-44xxx or RT-45xxx. Forms are tailored to industry groups, and twenty-nine separate forms are available for use by different kinds of retail establishments.

Supplemental Instruction Flyers provide more detailed instructions for reporting census data by selected retail establishments. Supplemental Instruction flyers are associated with three census forms for use by retail establishments.