Monthly Retail Trade Survey - Weather FAQs
How much do the areas that had the biggest impact from natural disaster or weather related events typically represent of the nation’s retail and food services sales?
The monthly retail trade programs are not designed to measure retail and food services activity at specific geographic levels, so current estimates of spending in those areas are unavailable.
For data from other Census Bureau sources on the areas impacted by weather related events, please see the Census Bureau’s
Emergency Preparedness page.
No. We cannot isolate the effect of weather related events on the Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services Survey (MRTS) estimates since the sample is designed to measure retail and food services activity at the national level and not at specific geographic areas.
As a result of any weather related event, does the Census Bureau modify its usual weighting or estimation methods used to produce monthly sales estimates?
No. Because the sample is designed to measure retail and food services sales at the national level and not at specific geographic areas; there is usually not sufficient evidence to support a change. Any exception would be indicated in that month’s release.
Are any estimates ever withheld or delayed because of data collection problems related to weather events?
Unless noted in the specific release, all estimates are released as scheduled.
Can the reliability of the advance monthly sales estimates change because of weather related events?
Unless noted in the specific release, the reliability of the advance estimates as measured by the coefficient of variation for monthly totals and the standard error for month-to-month change does not change substantially. While a few individual firms can report large increases or decreases in their sales because of the effects of weather related events, this additional variation is not typically large enough to substantially affect the reliability of the published estimates.
Does the Census Bureau alter the procedures for developing seasonally adjusted estimates for the Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services?
No. Unless noted in the specific release, the monthly review process of the seasonal adjustment output and diagnostics do not indicate that adjustments to the parameters are necessary.
How do weather events impact the Census Bureau’s ability to collect data from respondents?
Depending on the timing of the event, a weather event could impact our ability to collect data for companies in that area for a given month. We actively monitor response and adjust collection schedules as necessary. Any deviation from the normal response rates would be highlighted in that month’s release.
How does the Census Bureau determine the impact of weather related events on the companies?
Our data collection requests can change in the following ways: (1) our electronic instrument requests responding companies describe how their business was impacted by the weather related event, and (2) our data collection staff inquires about the impacts of weather related events as part of their normal follow-up operations.
What activities does the Census Bureau plan to ensure the affected areas will continue to be accurately represented?
As part of our data collection, we will continue to ask questions that will help us monitor impacts from the affected areas. We will monitor data responses and make adjustments when necessary.
Does this survey include retail and food service establishments in U.S. Territories?
No. This survey covers retail establishments operating only in the 50 states and District of Columbia. U.S. Territories, such as Puerto Rico, generally present their economic statistics separately from those of the United States. Sales of in scope companies that obtain goods from suppliers or sell to customers in Puerto Rico could be impacted by certain weather related events, but we cannot isolate those effects on the Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS) estimates.
