ADVANCE DATA ON LARGE RETAILERS' PROFITS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER 1994

After-tax profits for retail corporations with assets of $50 million and 
over averaged 1.8 cents per dollar of sales for the third quarter of 
1994, down 0.2 cents from the preceding quarter and up 0.4 cents from the 
same quarter in 1993, according to advance data from the 
Commerce Department's Bureau of the Census.

For the third quarter of 1994, these large retail corporations reported
after-tax profits of $3.8 billion, down $0.3 billion from the preceding 
quarter and up $1.2 billion from the same quarter a year ago.  The annual 
rate of after-tax return on stockholders' equity was 11.5 percent, 
compared to 12.6 percent in the second quarter of 1994 and 8.7 percent 
in the third quarter of 1993.

Third quarter 1994 sales were $207.1 billion, up $5.6 billion or
2.7 percent from last quarter.  Third quarter sales compared to the
same quarter a year ago were up $16.2 billion or 7.8 percent. 

These data are based on quarterly financial reports obtained from 
683 corporations.  The figures in this release are not seasonally 
adjusted.  More detailed information on the retail trade sector for 
the third quarter will be published in the Quarterly Financial Report 
for Manufacturing, Mining, and Trade Corporations--Fourth Quarter 1994.
Fourth quarter 1995 advance data are scheduled for release on
April 3, 1994.

Schedule of Advance Data Release Dates--1995

Quarter    Manufacturing, Mining, and Wholesale Trade   Retail Trade

Fourth 1994               April 3, 1995                 April 3, 1995
First 1995                June 12, 1995                 July 12, 1995
Second 1995               September 11, 1995            October 11, 1995
Third 1995                December 11, 1995

Questions concerning this advance data report should be directed to 
Ronald Lee (301) 763-5435 or Frank Hartman (301) 763-7182.


TABLE 1.  INCOME STATEMENT FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS WITH ASSETS OF 
$50 MILLION AND OVER

                                                     3Q       2Q       3Q
                                                   1994     1994     1993(1)
                                                      (million dollars)

Net sales, receipts, and operating revenues.... 207,104  201,514  190,901
Less: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization   4,234    4,152    3,949
Less: All other operating costs and expenses... 194,553  189,170  180,412
                                                
  Income (or loss) from operations.............   8,318    8,192    6,540

Net nonoperating income (expense).............. (2,001)  (1,777)  (2,170)

  Income (or loss) before income taxes.........   6,318    6,415    4,369

Less: Provision for current and deferred         
  domestic income taxes........................   2,512    2,297    1,761
                                                 
  Income (or loss) after income taxes..........   3,805    4,118    2,609
                                                 
Cash dividends charged to retained earnings       1,280    1,220    1,185
  in current quarter...........................  
                                                 
  Net income retained in business..............   2,525    2,897    1,424
                                                 
Retained earnings at beginning of quarter......  82,651   79,324   69,758
Other direct credits (or charges) to             
  retained earnings (net)......................   (425)     (13)    1,377
                                                 
Retained earnings at end of quarter............  84,751   82,208   72,559

(1) Revised. 
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TABLE 2.  INCOME STATEMENT IN RATIO FORMAT FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS 
WITH ASSETS OF $50 MILLION AND OVER

                                                     3Q      2Q       3Q
                                                   1994    1994     1993(1)
                                                          (cents)

Net sales, receipts, and operating revenues....   100.0   100.0    100.0
Less: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization     2.0     2.1      2.1
Less: All other operating costs and expenses...    93.9    93.9     94.5
                                                   
  Income (or loss) from operations.............     4.0     4.1      3.4
                                                  
Net nonoperating income (expense)..............   (1.0)   (0.9)    (1.1)
                                                  
  Income (or loss) before income taxes.........     3.1     3.2      2.3
                                                  
Less: Provision for current and deferred            
  domestic income taxes........................     1.2     1.1      0.9
                                                    
  Income (or loss) after income taxes..........     1.8     2.0      1.4
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TABLE 3.  OPERATING RATIOS FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS WITH ASSETS OF 
$50 MILLION AND OVER

                                                     3Q      2Q       3Q
                                                   1994    1994     1993(1)
                                                          (percent)

Annual rate of profit on stockholders' equity
  at end of period:
    Before income taxes.........................  19.13   19.67    14.62
    After income taxes..........................  11.52   12.63     8.73

Annual rate of profit on total assets:                                  
Before income taxes.........................       5.81    6.26     4.33
    After income taxes..........................   3.50    4.02     2.59

(1) Revised.

Questions concerning this advance report should be directed to 
Ronald Lee (301) 763-5435 or Frank Hartman (301) 763-7182.