The How the Data are Collected (methodology) section contains information concerning how the Census Bureau uses statistics to generate the estimates provided by the Advance Monthly, Monthly and Annual Retail Trade Reports, and the Quarterly E-Commerce Report. This documentation ensures that we achieve consistent results and provide the most accurate data available about U.S. Retail economic activity.

Use the links below to view survey specific explanations of how we design the sample of businesses that respond to our surveys, what types of data we collect and how we obtain it, and how we handle seasonal variations, nonresponse and variation.