1. Overview of the main changes in IRDTS 2008 Workshop for African countries on the Implementation of International Recommendations for Distributive Trade Statistics 27-30 May 2008, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia UNITED NATIONS STATISTICS DIVISION Trade Statistics Branch Distributive Trade Statistics Section

2. Scope International Recommendations for Distributive Trade Statistics 2008 (IRDTS 2008) Distributive trade statistics (DTS) IRDTS 2008 defines the scope of DTS as statistics reflecting characteristics and activities of the units belonging to distributive trade sector of an economy Distributive trade sector The scope of distributive trade sector is defined in terms of ISIC, Rev.4 All resident entities recognised as statistical units and classifiable in section G “Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles” All units irrespective of their size, form of economic and legal organization and ownership Distributive trade activities carried out by entities not classified in Section G of ISIC, Rev.4 are not covered by distributive trade statistics International Recommendations on Statistics of Distributive Trades and Services (IRSDTS) IRSDTS did not have a definition of distributive trade sector Refers to all establishments that are engaged primarily in wholesale and retail trade, restaurants and hotels and selected services

3. Statistical units IRDTS 2008 Contains a more comprehensive and detailed discussion of statistical units for use in the collection of DTS New sections on: Statistical units of informal sector Mapping of selected entities specific to distributive trade, such as retail chains, department stores, franchising, market places etc. Enhanced guidelines on delineation and proper classification of trade units in conjunction with principles of the 1993 SNA, Rev.1 and classification of activities

4. Data items IRDTS 2008 List of data items and their definitions - reviewed and updated Revenue and expenditure items - presented in more details E-commerce sales - separately identified Value of turnover - presented by product groups Lists of data items and their coding in IRDTS 2008 and IRIS 2008 - fully harmonized

5. Performance indicators IRDTS 2008 Reflects the increased interests in the assessment of the overall performance of distributive trade sector Identifies a set of indicators for monitoring the profitability, productivity and efficiency of distributive trade sector as a whole or some of its divisions IRSDTS Not part of the previous recommendations

6. Data sources and data compilation methods IRDTS 2008 Description of data sources and data compilation methods is significantly expanded with discussion on: Various types of statistical and administrative data sources Business register and its use as a frame for statistical surveys Data compilation methods – validation, editing, etc. An outline of a data collection strategy for different segments of the economy based on an integrated approach is presented

7. Short-term distributive trade statistics IRDTS 2008 New chapter providing guidance on some of the most important issues related to short-term DTS Compilation of indices of distributive trade (more guidance expected in a follow-up manual) Time-series of distributive trade statistics and the necessity of seasonal adjustments Reconciliation of short-term with annual data (benchmarking)

8. Data quality and metadata IRDTS 2008 Increased importance of methods for enhancement of data quality New chapter containing guidance on the main dimensions of quality that should be taken into account in developing quality assessment frameworks Limited set of key indicators for measuring quality of distributive trade statistics Recommendations for development and dissemination of adequate metadata on distributive trade statistics IRSDTS Issues of data quality and metadata were not part of the previous recommendations

9. Data dissemination IRDTS 2008 Recommendations on DTS data dissemination Updated Harmonised with similar recommendations applicable in other areas of economic statistics Further guidance provided regarding Confidentiality protection Development of a sound revision policy

10. Harmonization of IRDTS 2008 with the 1993 SNA, Rev.1 (1) Valuation of trade output Basic prices Ancillary units An ancillary unit is to be recognized as a separate establishment when: Separate accounts on production cost are available, or The unit is in a geographically different location from the establishments it serves Research and development Research and development expenditures of trade units, if any, are to be capitalized

11. Harmonization of IRDTS 2008 with the 1993 SNA, Rev.1 (2) Large databases Large databases created by trade units either on own account or those for sale are to be capitalized Employee stock options Included in wages and salaries as additional instruments for compensation of employees Allow harmonization with international business accounting standards Terminology and classification of non-financial assets Identical

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