Monthly Retail Trade Survey

MRTS-L2
(3-2008)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Dear Company Official:
Thank you for participating in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Monthly Retail Trade Report. This report
provides an up-to-date picture of U.S. consumer activity and is a key element in determining the
U.S. Gross Domestic Product. A successful Monthly Retail Trade Report gives the nation’s
policymakers and business leaders a clear picture of current and prospective market strength. In
the words of former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Dr. Alan Greenspan, “The Census
Bureau’s economic surveys are indispensable to understanding America’s economy. Participating in
the monthly survey helps us all.”
Your report form has a new look. In addition, we may have revised your firm’s reporting
arrangements. Instructions are included on the form and estimates are acceptable. Please fax your
completed form to 1-800-447-4613. If you have any questions about this report, please call
1-800-772-7852 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, to speak with a Census Bureau
representative. Please visit our web site at for
Monthly Retail Trade Report results.
The information you provide is kept confidential by law, and is seen only by persons sworn to uphold
the confidentiality of Census Bureau information. This information cannot be used for taxation,
regulation, or investigation. Under the same law, your information is used only to develop summary
data that do not reveal the individual activities of your company.
The Census Bureau is determined to provide the most accurate and useful data possible. To
achieve that standard, we need help from companies like yours. Thank you in advance for making
the Monthly Retail Trade Report comprehensive, timely, and reliable. I believe, along with former
Chairman Greenspan, that an accurate survey helps us all.
Sincerely,

Steve H. Murdock
Director
Enclosures

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov