The Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS) produced national estimates of total annual sales, e-commerce sales, end-of-year inventories, purchases, total operating expenses, gross margins, and commissions (for electronic markets, agents, and brokers) for wholesale businesses located in the United States.  Additionally, in years ending in "2" and "7," the survey also generated detailed operating expenses estimates through the Business Expenses Supplement (BES).

AWTS provided estimates that were more timely than those generated via the Economic Census, which is conducted in years ending in "2" and "7," and more detailed than those produced through the Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (MWTS), which is conducted each month.

This survey was conducted annually.

The AWTS sampled employer businesses that were classified in the wholesale trade sector and located in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.  AWTS excluded data for businesses located in the United States territories.  New samples were drawn approximately every 5 years and were updated quarterly.

Merchant wholesale companies provided estimates on sales, e-commerce, end-of-year inventories, inventories held outside the United States, purchases, and total operating expenses. In years ending in “2” and “7,” AWTS collected detailed operating expenses and sales tax information through the Business Expenses Supplement.  Purchases and detailed operating expenses were only collected for merchant wholesale companies, excluding manufacturers’ sales branches and offices.

Agent, broker, and electronic market companies provided estimates on sales, commissions, and operating expenses.

YOUR RESPONSE WAS REQUIRED BY LAW.  Title 13 United States Code, Sections 131 and 182, authorized this collection.  Title 13 United States Code, Sections 224 and 225, required businesses and other organizations that received this questionnaire to answer the questions and return the report to the U.S. Census Bureau.  By Section 9 of the same law, YOUR CENSUS REPORT IS CONFIDENTIAL.  It may be seen only by persons sworn to uphold the confidentiality of Census Bureau information and can be used only for statistical purposes.  Further, copies retained in respondents’ files are immune from legal process.

• The Bureau of Economic Analysis used the estimates as an input to estimate sales and inventories for the Gross Domestic Product.
• The Council of Economic Advisers used the estimates for assessing near term economic activity.
• The Department of the Treasury used the estimates to research economic trends.
• Business and industry groups used the estimates to forecast future demand.
• Researchers used the estimates to benchmark the results from their own sampling operations.

All estimates were published at the national level by 2-digit through 4-digit NAICS.  Further industry detail was published for NAICS 42343 (Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software) and 42345 (Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies). 

Estimates were released approximately 12 months after the collection year, via the internet.  These estimates were benchmarked to the most recent Economic Census of Wholesale Trade. For more information about benchmarking, see the Methodology section.

• Estimates were released annually, typically 12 months after the end of the data year.
• The 2022 Annual Wholesale Trade Report was released on January 29, 2024.
  
• Since 2003, estimates were released as a separate report annually. Prior to 2003, estimates were released as part of the Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade.
  
• In the event of an unplanned data revision, revised statistics were made available under “Updates” or under “Tables.” Internal Census Bureau policies were followed for notifying sponsors and primary stakeholders.