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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Office of Survey Methods Research > Publications > Browse Research Papers

The Use of Geocoding to Locate Outlets Outside of Sample Area Boundaries to Determine Significant Areas of Commerce

John F. Schlip and Fred Marsh

Abstract

This paper gives an introduction to the method of sampling retail outlets in the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI). Some of these sampled retail outlets are located outside the primary sampling area boundary and are currently priced. To reduce data collection costs, BLS would like to develop a rule to eliminate some outlets from being priced. Currently, BLS prices any selected outlet that is less than 25 miles from the primary sample area boundary or has more than 10 quotes in a cluster. We examine the impact of eliminating certain groups of outlets from the sample on the CPI index and also explain the definition of a spatial cluster and the new "significant area of commerce".