The Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS) produces 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 generates detailed operating expenses estimates through the Business Expenses Supplement (BES). The estimates are released approximately 12 months after the collection year.
Data generated from this survey are often used by government agencies, private businesses, and researchers. For example, AWTS serves as a benchmark for the estimates produced from the Census Bureau's Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (MWTS). Additionally, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) utilizes the estimates as an input to estimate sales and inventories for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To view all of the data products stemming from AWTS, choose the "Data" option from the menu on the left.
On this webpage you will find helpful links to worksheets, letters, materials, FAQs, and contact information.
To report online:
To help you prepare for online reporting, click on the appropriate survey questions below.
(All files are in Adobe PDF file format and are for informational purposes only)
Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), Sections 131 and 182, authorizes the Census Bureau to conduct this survey. Sections 224 and 225 provide for mandatory responses.
Title 13, United States Code, Section 9, requires the Census Bureau to keep your information CONFIDENTIAL and can use your responses only to produce statistics. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify your business, organization, or institution. Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.
Below are a few common items you can use to verify the legitimacy of this survey: