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What Is The Retail Owners Institute?

Empowering!

Self-help info & tools  

"What if...?" power for "owner decisions"

The ROI Is A Trusted, Time-Tested Resource For Owners

As a retailer, you know that financial success isn’t just about sales—it’s about confidently managing the cause-effect connections between profit, debt, inventory and cash flow. 

That’s where The ROI comes in, as the only financial resource designed specifically for retail owners like you.

  • Since 1999, The ROI has been the leading self-help resource specifically for retail financial management.
     
  • Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of retailers protect their bottom line, improve cash flow, and make data-driven decisions with confidence.
     
  • When retail owners face financial questions, The ROI provides fast, practical, and accessible tools for fresh perspectives, new insights, and timely business decisions.

 

With Member Access privileges, you’ll gain unlimited, round-the-clock access to our entire suite of tools, guides, webinars, and courses—all tailored to help you make the best financial decisions for your business. Just $39.95 per month (automatically charged to your credit card.) Or pay once a year - $395 - and get 2 months free!


Empowering Retailers To "Turn on their financial headlights!"

Easy Access to “Power Tools” for Retail Financial Projections

Think of The ROI’s online projecting calculators and guides as your virtual retail finance toolkit. These proprietary tools were designed by retail experts to help answer big-picture questions, like:

  • Profit Projections
    Instantly see how adjustments to pricing, or expenses, or sales volume impact your bottom line.
  • Cash Flow Forecasts
    Avoid surprises; project cash flow needs that reflect your sales, margins, and inventory turns.
  • Buying Plans (Open-to-Buy)
    Accurately plan inventory purchases to optimize stock levels without over- or under-buying and improve GMROI.

These calculators are perfect for proactive retail owners. Make critical adjustments now, rather than reacting to issues down the line. They’re available anytime to ROI Members, 100% online, and require no setup or installations.


“What If…?” Insights for Real-World Financial Challenges

In retail, every decision affects multiple areas—from profits to cash flow and inventory. Our “What would happen if I…?” calculators let you play out different approaches and instantly see the financial impact.

  • Explore what happens if you adjust pricing or discounting.
  • Project the outcomes of expanding inventory categories or adjusting inventory turnover.
  • Test the impact of introducing a new product line on cash flow and profitability.
  • Or...

This forward-thinking approach puts you in control, letting you steer clear of pitfalls and seize opportunities. 


On-Demand Webinars: Practical, Retail-Specific Advice

Our webinars are built around real-life challenges retailers face every day. With 20+ recorded sessions, you can watch and re-watch anytime.

  • Learn about improving inventory turns and managing seasonal buying.
  • Discover strategies for building a cash-positive business.
  • Get actionable insights on managing vendor and landlord relationships effectively.

Each webinar is designed to be engaging, retailer-friendly, and packed with examples you can start using right away. Plus, see a demonstration of one of The ROI's online projecting calculators.

"The ROI webinars are like a crash course in retail finance. Easy to understand, but deep in insights!"
– Hardware Store Owner


Specialized eLearning Kits: Practical, "Big Picture" Resources on Retail Financial Management

For retailers, our eLearning Kits provide a self-paced training course, a relatable case study, and "What if...?" projecting calculators for strategic decision-making. 

  • Projecting Profits
    Take control over your profit performance and see where changes can lead to bigger margins.
  • Inventory Buying Planning
    Gain confidence with structured buying plans that maintain ideal stock levels while maximizing cash flow.
  • Cash Flow Management
    Get a clear view of how much cash you’ll need month-to-month, and prepare for both high and low seasons with ease.

These courses are practical, straightforward, and designed for retail owners—not accountants.


An Extensive Library of “How-To” Guides

The ROI’s Library for Owners features how-to articles packed with easy-to-follow steps, examples, and expert insights on managing every aspect of retail finances, including:

  • Inventory Control
    Strategies to manage turns, avoid dead stock, and optimize your buying.
  • Profit Optimization
    Insights on improving margins and driving more revenue.
  • Cash Flow Management
    Techniques to handle slow seasons, manage inventory turns, and avoid cash crunches.
  • Owner-Specific Issues
    Tips on managing key relationships (vendors, landlords, banks) and making decisions for growth.

These how-to articles are available anytime you need them, making it easy to take action when questions arise.


Success Stories from Real Retailers

Don’t just take it from us. Here’s what retailers like you have said about The ROI:

“The ROI has given me the confidence to make data-driven decisions. Knowing I’m making the best financial choices for my business has made all the difference.”
– Specialty Boutique Owner

“I used the Buying Plan Forecaster before our last buying season, and it was a game-changer. I finally feel like I’m in control of my inventory!”
– CFO, Sporting Goods Retailer

“This is the only place I’ve found that understands retail from an owner’s perspective. The tools, the guidance—it’s all tailor-made for us.”
– Home Décor Shop Owner


Trust The ROI to Help You Grow

With the ROI, you can:

  • See your financial future
    Understand potential outcomes before making critical decisions.
  • Avoid pitfalls
    Gain insights to stay ahead of common retail financial mistakes.
  • Maximize profits, cash flow, and inventory control
    Become your own financial expert without needing a consultant.

Empower Your Business. Join The ROI Today!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to access every tool, resource, and guide you need to succeed in retail—at your convenience. With the ROI, you’ll gain more control, have fewer worries, and even find the fun in managing your business finances!

Subscribe Now and make this your best year yet.

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All of the copyrighted content and resources of The Retail Owners Institute® and its Family of Retail STRATA:G® Resources have been developed by and are the proprietary intellectual property of Outcalt & Johnson: Retail Strategists, LLC – OutcaltJohnson.com – and its sole owners, Patricia M. Johnson and Richard F. Outcalt.

It may not be reused, reproduced or rewritten in any form without the express written consent of Outcalt & Johnson: Retail Strategists, LLC.



The Retail Owners Institute® has been empowering retailers since 1999 to "Turn on their financial headlights!"
Our tools and resources are trusted by thousands of store owners to help grow profitable, resilient businesses.