Frequently asked questions
Question: Will you release seasonally adjusted e-commerce sales
estimates?
Answer: It will take several years to have enough historical e-commerce
sales data to allow us to determine seasonal patterns.
Question: Are foreign sales included in the e-commerce estimate?
Answer: The e-commerce and total sales estimates include sales covering
all store and non-store retail locations in the United States operated
by a firm selected in the survey. Sales made to a customer in a
foreign country through a U.S. web site are included in the estimates.
Question: How are gift certificates treated?
Answer: Following generally accepted accounting principles, sales
from gift certificates are included in the retail sales of firms
at the time the gift certificate is redeemed.
Question: How are returns of merchandise treated?
Answer: Firms are instructed to report sales net of returned merchandise.
Question: How are businesses selected for the monthly survey?
Answer: Businesses are categorized by their industrial activity
and size. Within each of these groups, the Census Bureau selects
a random sample of firms. Each quarter, new businesses undergo a
similar procedure, and additional sampling units are selected and
added to the survey. This methodology ensures that the sample contains
businesses of all sizes and from each retail industry.
Question: How many firms are surveyed to estimate e-commerce sales?
Answer: E-commerce sales are estimated based on the monthly activity
of over 12,000 retail firms. All firms that receive the retail survey
report form each month are asked to provide their e-commerce sales.
Question: Are sales at electronic auctions included in the e-commerce
estimate?
Answer: Electronic auctions directed at individual consumers are
classified as retail trade. However, commissions and fees,not sales,
are included in the e-commerce estimate. This is similar to the
way the Census Bureau treats sales at traditional auction houses.
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