ISTAT - Istituto Nazionale di Statistica
Euro-SDMX Metadata Structure Definition (ESMS_MSD 3.0 ESTAT)
Turnover and volume of sales index
2014 - A0
1. Contact
1.1 Contact organisation

National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT)
Directorate for Short Term Statistics on industry, service and employment

1.2 Contact organisation unit

Retail trade unit (SER/A)

1.3 Contact name
1.4 Contact person function
1.5 Contact mail address

Viale Liegi, 13 - 00198 Rome

1.6 Contact email address
1.7 Contact phone number
1.8 Contact fax number
2. Metadata update
2.1 Metadata last certified
30/04/2015
2.2 Metadata last posted
08/05/2015
2.3 Metadata last update
08/05/2015
3. Statistical presentation
3.1 Data description

Indici delle vendite al dettaglio (Retail trade indicators).

Data on monthly retail trade value, with reference to the main retail trade activities as in NACE Rev.2. 

3.2 Classification system

NACE Rev. 2.

3.3 Coverage - sector

Activities covered: Groups 47.1, 47.2, 47.3, 47.4, 47.5, 47.6, 47.7 and 47.9 of NACE Rev. 2. In Group 47.7 class 47.79 is partially covered.

Size classes covered: Enterprises of all sizes are covered.

3.4 Statistical concepts and definitions
List and definition of variables Retail trade turnover differs from definition stated in the CR 1503/2006 for the inclusion of VAT.
Planned changes in information collected None.
Accounting conventions The target variable is measured as a flow during the calendar month.
3.5 Statistical unit
Reporting unit Enterprise
Observation unit(s) The observation units are retail trade enterprises. Data collected concern their monthly turnover, broken down by 14 kinds of products sold and by the type of outlet or sales (e.g. specialized store, supermarket, hypermarket, etc.).
3.6 Statistical population

Retail trade enterprises classified in NACE Rev.2 G47. Group G478 and class G4726 are excluded.

3.7 Reference area

National level

3.8 Coverage - Time

This survey was carried out for the first time in 1991.

Series of index with base 2010=100 start from January 2000.

3.9 Base period

The current base year is 2010.

4. Unit of measure

Euro, data are disseminated as index.

5. Reference Period

Calendar month.

6. Institutional Mandate
6.1 Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Legal basis

European level: Regulation of the EU Council 1165/1998, 1158/2005

National level: This is one of the compulsory surveys fixed every year by a Decree of the President of the Republic (D.P.R.).
Obligation on units to provide data Survey is mandatory. Penalties are foreseen for non-respondents.
Planned changes in legal basis, obligation to respond and frame used None
6.2 Institutional Mandate - data sharing

Not available.

7. Confidentiality
7.1 Confidentiality - policy

Confidentiality provisions are explicitly stated in the ISTAT President’s letter attached to data collection questionnaire along with references to different acts on statistics. Links to relevant acts on statistics are presented on the website of Sistan - National Statistical System (http://www.sistan.it/index.php?id=203).

7.2 Confidentiality - data treatment

Confidential data are aggregated before being disseminated.

8. Release policy
8.1 Release calendar
Advance dissemination of release calendar Every year, in December ISTAT publishes a release calendar providing the monthly release dates for the coming year. The calendar is distributed to the press and is available free of charge to interested parties. The calendar is also disseminated on ISTAT's Internet website.
8.2 Release calendar access

Press release calendar: http://www.istat.it/en/information/journalists/press-room-calendar

Press releases: http://www.istat.it/en/products/press-releases

8.3 Release policy - user access
Simultaneous release to all interested parties The data are released simultaneously to all the interested parties by issuing the press release "Commercio al dettaglio" which is provided, on an embargo basis, to the media at a press conference (using “locked room” method) 30 minutes prior to general release . The press release (Italian version and short English version) is then posted on the ISTAT Internet website (http://www.istat.it/it/archivio/vendite).
Identification of internal government access to data before release No pre-release access.
Transmission to Eurostat and further use of the statistics Data are transmitted to Eurostat according to the required standards and according the fixed deadlines. Indexes produced after 30 days from the end of the reference month are sent to Eurostat but not disseminated in Italy. For this reason they are labelled as “confidential”.
9. Frequency of dissemination

Monthly

10. Accessibility and clarity
10.1 Dissemination format - News release

The monthly press release "Commercio al dettaglio" publishes data and technical explanatory notes about the data.

The press release is disseminated on the internet (http://www.istat.it/)

10.2 Dissemination format - Publications

Data are made available also through a statistical yearbook: Annuario Statistico Italiano (Italian version only)

10.3 Dissemination format - online database

Monthly data are also available in the I.stat datawarehouse.

The on-line database I.Stat is open and free, statistics are organised by theme in a two-level hierarchical tree. Data are presented in aggregate form in multidimensional tables; acting on variables, reference periods and the arrangement of heads and sides users can create custom tables and graphs. The system can be searched by keyword, theme and region.
A wide range of standard metadata facilitates the retrieval and understanding of statistics by users.

10.4 Dissemination format - microdata access

Validated microdata are stored in the repository of the Institute, ARMIDA.

Microdata are released for research purposes in compliance with the principle of statistical secrecy and protection of personal data. 

10.5 Dissemination format - other

Data are transmitted to Eurostat for both uses: European aggregates and for the dissemination of national data in Eurostat's dissemination.

10.6 Documentation on methodology
Dissemination of documentation on methodology and sources used in preparing statistics A short description of the methodology and characteristics of the survey is included in the technical explanatory note, attached to the monthly press release. Concerning indexes with base 2010 further details can be found in: ISTAT, “Gli indici del valore delle vendite del commercio fisso al dettaglio. La nuova base 2010”, released on 27 March 2013.
Description of standard tables produced

The press release includes 5 tables:

  1. Seasonally adjusted and unadjusted indexes by marketable goods sector (food, non food, total) and type of distribution (large scale distribution, small and medium size distribution);
  2. indexes broken-down by type of outlet for large scale distribution;
  3. indexes broken-down by the 3 employment classes (up to 5, 6-49, 50 or more persons employed);
  4. indexes broken-down by 14 groups of products.
  5. revision in the percentage changes of the main indexes (food, non food, total), both seasonally adjusted and unadjusted. The revisions are due to both the seasonal adjustment procedure and to additional data (mainly late respondents) considered in the elaborations.
10.7 Quality management - documentation

A description of methodology and sources used is contained in the Information System for Survey Documentation and Quality Control (Siqual: http://siqual.istat.it/SIQual/lang.do?language=UK). This system manages qualitative information related to each single phase of a survey's production process (retail trade: http://siqual.istat.it/SIQual/visualizza.do?id=0109600).

The following tools can be useful and relevant for Institutions belonging to the Italian National Statistical System, as well as for researchers and also, in a broadly way, for data users: the Quality Guidelines for Statistical Processes (http://www.istat.it/en/tools/data-quality/guidelines), the Information System on Quality (Siqual) and Quality Audits (http://www.istat.it/en/tools/data-quality/audit).

11. Quality management
11.1 Quality assurance

Istat quality policy is coherent with the European framework developed by Eurostat, taking up its main principles and definitions.

Further details are available on: http://www.istat.it/en/about-istat/quality

11.2 Quality management - assessment

The trade-off between timeliness (fundamental for STS data) and accuracy must be considered.

Any initiative in favor of the overall quality of the survey process and data produced is considered and, if possible, carried out.

12. Relevance
12.1 Relevance - User Needs

The production of Retail trade indexes for Italy is carried out in order to meet the needs of both national and international users. National users are mainly researchers, economists, trade unions, sectorial institutions. International users are Eurostat, FMI; ECB; OECD, researchers.

12.2 Relevance - User Satisfaction

User satisfaction can be evaluated on the basis of communications (formal or informal) and exchanges of information. The overall satisfaction is good.

12.3 Completeness

The following activities are not covered: Retail trade of tobacco products in specialized stores (NACE 4726), Retail trade via stalls and markets (NACE 478)

13. Accuracy
13.1 Accuracy - overall

Data are collected by a sample of retail trade enterprises, stratified according to the main economic activity (NACE classes and fifth digit for the Italian version of the classification), and size. The sample is selected in order to minimize sampling error.

The accuracy overall is an important goal, that is pursued also by reducing as much as possible non¿sampling errors and analyzing revisions.

In order to guarantee a good level of coverage and to reduce burden on respondents, the sample is annually updated, according to the latest edition of the Business Register.

Nonresponse is handled by imputation methods, which take into consideration both longitudinal and cross¿sectional data.

Measurement errors are not frequent. 

Extended follow up actions are made in order to reduce non responses. In addiction, some analyses are being carried out on the possible use of administrative data.

 

 

13.2 Sampling error

The sample consists of two parts: all units of the frame with more than 49 persons employed and a sample of units with less than 50 persons employed.

A measure for sampling error is not available at the moment.

13.3 Non-sampling error

Non sampling error is controlled through specific procedures: constant follow up actions, support to help units with the questionnaire compilation, use of automatic tools (i.e. applications) developed to check data. Particular attention is addressed to larger units. Anyway, taking into consideration the huge amount of small retail trade enterprises in Italy, units with a small number of persons employed are also monitored and supported for the correct data transmission.

Revisions are mainly due to new information (late respondents) and to changes in data of single enterprises.

14. Timeliness and punctuality
14.1 Timeliness
Timeliness

All the deadlines stated in the STS Regulation are met.

Indexes on G47_Food, G47_Non-food, G47_total excluding sales of automotive fuel, G47 total, G473 are transmitted to Eurostat within 30 days under a confidentiality clause. Indexes for all the other aggregates listed in the STS Regulation, annex C, are transmitted within 60 days. At a national level, monthly indexes are released on average within 54 days after the end of the reference month.
Timetable of data collection Reporting units are requested to fill in the questionnaires and send them back within 10 days from the end of the reference month.
14.2 Punctuality

All the scheduled releases are delivered on time.

15. Coherence and comparability
15.1 Comparability - geographical

Not applicable, only national level.

15.2 Comparability - over time

Data on main aggregates are comparable since 1995. When changes in source data, methodology, and statistical techniques are introduced, time series are back-casted as far back as reasonably possible.

15.3 Coherence - cross domain

Comparisons with structural business statistics data and estimates from non official sources are made.

15.4 Coherence - internal

Internal coherence between aggregates is verified.

16. Cost and Burden

8 persons work at ISTAT on retail trade indicators. 

17. Data revision
17.1 Data revision - policy

Revisions are usually due to: new information available and change of base year. 

In case of exceptional revisions due to error correction a prompt communication is given both to Eurostat and on the Istat website.

17.2 Data revision - practice

Major changes in methodology, sources and statistical techniques are announced in ad hoc publications.

Advance notification of methodological changes is also provided through seminars and papers disseminated throughout the scientific community.

Monthly revisions are also scheduled and concern both indexes transmitted to Eurostat and indexes nationally released. These kind of revisions are due to the inclusion in the calculation of additional information (i.e. late respondents).

18. Statistical processing
18.1 Source data
Type of source Sample survey.
Frame on which the source is based ASIA register managed and updated by the ISTAT.
Sample or census Sample survey for enterprises with less than 50 persons employed. Census for enterprises with more than 49 persons employed
Criteria for stratification Stratification is based on:
  • 3 employment classes (up to 5, 6-49, 50 or more);
  • NACE Classes and/or categories.
  • Groups of products sold
Threshold values and percentages A threshold is represented by 50 persons employed.
Frequency of updating the sample The sample is updated every year, in order to take into account changes occurred in the population of interest concerning both number of units per strata and single enterprises.
18.2 Frequency of data collection

Data are collected monthy.

18.3 Data collection
Questionnaires used in the survey A standardised one-page questionnaire available on the ISTAT website for data collection and sent to enterprises by postal service.
Planned changes in national questionnaires In the next months a new website for retail trade data collection will be available.
Data collection media Fax, web site https://indata.istat.it/dettaglio/. In some very residual cases also the postal service is used to return questionnaires.
Planned changes in data collection methodology Data collection by postal service is going to be stopped.
18.4 Data validation

Data collected are recorded in a database and, before being validated, are checked using several tools available in the survey information system. Checks are made considering the coherence of data with respect to the whole dataset. Checks using historical data are also carried out.

Before data transmission to Eurostat file format, code lists and consistency are checked by automatic procedures. 

18.5 Data compilation
Estimates for non-response

Non responses are imputed each month. Different methods are used depending on the availability of data at the level of single enterprise. Generally speaking methods are based on light modifications of the methods proposed by Hidiroglou and Berthelot for the short-term surveys of Statistics Canada. The general idea is to exploit as much as possible all available data at the enterprise level. If an estimation is needed for a certain enterprise not responding in the month t, two main rules hold:

  • If no previous response is available for this enterprise (due, for instance, to a partial rotation of the sample), imputation is carried out on the basis of the average change calculated for respondent enterprises in the same stratum.
  • If at least one previous response is available, the estimate is obtained applying to the last available response referred the percent change occurred between that month and the reference month to be estimated based upon respondent units.
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels Each month the grossing up procedure is applied to both the numerator (average turnover in the month m) and the denominator (average turnover in month (m-12)) sample estimates, but using the same expansion factors N/n, so that in the ratio their effects disappear.
Type of index Laspeyres index with a fixed base.
Method of weighting and chaining Weights are elaborated using structural business statistics, data from the survey itself and external sources or estimates. Weights are given by an estimate of total turnover of each stratum referred to the universe of enterprises in the base year.
Planned changes in production methods None.
18.6 Adjustment
WDA, SA and other calculations

Starting from the reference month August 2001 seasonal adjustment is performed for the following series: total retail trade turnover, retail trade turnover of food products, retail trade turnover of non-food products. Working day adjustment is carried out for all the series transmitted to Eurostat according to the STS Regulation:

  • Class 47.11;
  • Class 47.19;
  • Group 47.2;
  • Group 47.3;
  • sum of Classes (47.73, 47.74 and 47.75);
  • sum of Classes (47.51, 47.71 and 47.72);
  • sum of Classes (47.43, 47.52, 47.54, 47.59 and 47.63);
  • sum of Classes (47.41, 47.42, 47.53, 47.61, 47.62, 47.64, 47.65, 47.76, 47.77 and 47.78);
  • Class 47.91.
  • sum of Class and Group (47.11 and 47.2);
  • sum of Groups and Classes (47.19, 47.4, 47.5, 47.6, 47.7, 47.8 and 47.9);
  • Division 47 without Group 47.3.- Division 47

Deflators are estimated according to the aggregation level indicated in annex C of the STS Regulation, on the basis of monthly indices of consumer prices HICP.

For what concerns national dissemination, seasonal adjusted data are produced for Food, Non-food and Total series.
19. Comment

None.