Monthly & Annual Retail Trade

2009 Annual Retail Trade Survey

Summary of Changes

The following changes were made with the release of the 2009 ARTS estimates:

• ARTS estimates were revised to reflect benchmarking using final results of the 2007 Economic Census. Previously, estimates were benchmarked using preliminary results of the 2007 Economic Census. For more information, refer to the Benchmarking section of the ARTS Methodology link located at: http://www.census.gov/retail/arts/how_surveys_are_collected.html
• Detailed operating expense estimates for 2007, collected as part of the Business Expenses Supplement (BES) to the 2007 ARTS, and corresponding measures of sampling variability were revised to reflect benchmarking using final results of the 2007 Economic Census.
• Sales for NAICS 7223 (Special Food Services) and aggregate industry levels to which NAICS 7223 contributes were revised back to 1998. The list of aggregate industry levels are:
  
  
  • Retail and food services, total
  • Total (excl. motor vehicle and parts dealers)
  • NAICS 722 (Food Services and Drinking Places)

  Sales estimates for these industry levels were revised further back than sales estimates for other industries because a revision was made to the 2002 Economic Census sales total for NAICS 722330 (Mobile Food Services). This revision was not included in the preliminary results of the Economic Census and thus was not part of last year's benchmarking.

• The span of years displayed in the pdf versions of the tables for sales, inventories, purchases, gross margin, and gross margin as percent of sales have been updated to include years 1998 through 2009. Excel versions of the tables include all years of our NAICS time series.
• The span of years for the per capita sales table, Excel and pdf versions, have been updated to include years 2000 through 2009. Population estimates from 2000 through 2008 were revised. Per capita estimates prior to 2000 are not available, because the population estimates used in the calculations were not available on a comparable basis. For additional information, see http://www.census.gov/popest/topics/methodology/2010-relnotes.pdf. For data from 1992 through 2008, see http://www.census.gov/retail/arts/historic_releases.html
• The publication tables for sales, purchases, inventories, total operating expenses, gross margin and gross margin as percent of sales were expanded to include additional industries. Estimates for these additional levels are presented back to the beginning of the NAICS time series for each data item. Annual NAICS estimates prior to 1999 are derived from data that were collected on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. For a description of how these estimates were derived, see http://www2.census.gov/retail/releases/benchmark/annpub00.pdf. The list of additional NAICS codes and description are presented below by data item.

Additional sales levels:

4412 Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
44229 Other Home Furnishings Stores
4431 Electronics and Appliance Stores
4452 Specialty Food Stores
4461 Health and Personal Care Stores
4483 Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
4511 Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores
4512 Book, Periodical, and Music Stores
45121 Book Stores and News Dealers
45211 Department Stores
4531 Florists
4539 Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
45399 All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
4542 Vending Machine Operators
4543 Direct Selling Establishments
722211 Limited Service Restaurant
7223 Special Food Services
72231 Food Service Contractors

Addtional purchases levels:

4461 Health and Personal Care Stores
4511 Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores
45211 Department Stores

Additional inventories levels:

4411 Automobile Dealers
4413 Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores
4441 Building Material and Supplies Dealers
4451 Grocery Stores
4453 Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
4461 Health and Personal Care Stores
44611 Pharmacies and Drug Stores
4481 Clothing Stores
44811 Men's Clothing Stores
44812 Women's Clothing Stores
44814 Family Clothing Stores
4482 Shoe Stores
4511 Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores
4512 Book, Periodical, and Music Stores
4529 Other General Merchandise Stores
4541 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses

Additional total operating expenses levels:

4412 Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
4421 Furniture Stores
4461 Health and Personal Care Stores
4483 Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
4511 Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores
45211 Department Stores
4532 Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores
4539 Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
4543 Direct Selling Establishments
7221 Full-Service Restaurants
7222 Limited-Service Eating Places

Additional gross margin levels:

4461 Health and Personal Care Stores
4511 Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores
45211 Department Stores

Additional gross margin as percent of sales levels:

4461 Health and Personal Care Stores
4511 Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores
45211 Department Stores