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"How does my retail business compare?"

Key Retail Financial Benchmarks

Six Key Metrics • Five-Year Trend Charts

Choose your retail segment below – go to Benchmark Charts



These Key Retail Benchmarks provide important perspective for
"Turning On Your Financial Headlights!" 

Yes, Pre-Tax Profit % and Gross Margin % are most everyone's first stop.

However – the Debt-to-Worth Ratio and Current Ratio are the most significant regarding your financial strength.

And Turnover and GMROI help to explain why the other four are what they are. 

Have questions about how to read these ratios, or what they really mean? 

Below are four resources that can help you quickly gain the insights and perspective that financial ratios provide. (Just click on each image below.)

  • How-To Article: "Go Figure! Calculate Your Key Ratios in 12 Seconds Each!"
  • Empowering Webinar: The Indispensable OWNERS Dashboard
  • Online Calculator: The ROI's Key Ratios Calculator for Retailers
  • Key Ratios "Cheat Sheet": Quick reference guide to the key retail ratios

click each to open
14 NOV
2024

Key Retail Ratios"Cheat Sheet"

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The Formulas • Where to Find the Numbers • What Each Ratio Tells You

 

Ratio How to Calculate Your Key Financial Ratios Where to Find the Information What the Ratios Tell
Current Ratio Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities Your balance sheet Tests for solvency or ability to meet current debt obligations. Measures how well you can cover current liabilities with liquid assets.  (Higher is better; 2.0 is average.)
Quick Ratio Cash + Accounts Receivable divided by Current Liabilities Your balance sheet

Tests the degree of solvency most strictly, using only the most liquid current assets. 

(Higher is better; 0.5 is average.)

Debt-to-Worth Ratio Total Liabilities divided by Total Owner's Equity Your balance sheet

Compares what the company "owes" creditors to what it "owns." Measures the financial strength of the business.

(Lower is better; 1.0 is average.)

Inventory Turnover COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) divided by Average Inventory @Cost COGS are recorded on your income statement; Inventory is found on your balance sheet.

Measures how often, at present rate of sales, your entire inventory is completely sold and replaced during a given year. Measures inventory "velocity." 

(Higher is better; average depends on industry.)

Gross Margin % Gross Profit $ divided by Net Sales Your income statement (P&L) Indicates percentage of sales dollars remaining after costs related to purchasing merchandise are recognized.
Profit Before Taxes % Profit Before Taxes divided by Net Sales Your income statement (P&L)

Indicates percentage of sales dollars remaining after all costs (except taxes) are recognized.

(Higher is better; average depends on industry.)

Return on Assets (ROA) Profit Before Taxes divided by Net Assets Your income statement and balance sheet

Indicates pretax return on assets; measures productivity of assets. 

(Higher is better; average depends on industry.)

Gross Margin Return on Inventory (GMROI)  Gross Margin $ divided by Average Inventory @Cost Gross Margin - your income statement
Inventory @ Cost - your balance sheet.
Measures the gross margin returned for each dollar invested in inventory. (Higher is better; average depends on industry.)

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