fbpx

WPA Retail Operating Report Released

Pet Age Staff//November 8, 2017//

WPA Retail Operating Report Released

Pet Age Staff //November 8, 2017//

Listen to this article

World Pet Association (WPA)—founded in 1950 and well known for hosting industry-leading events including SuperZoo, Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference, Aquatic Experience and America’s Family Pet Expo—has released its 2017 Retail Operating Performance Report for purchase by pet retailers and service providers.

The 2017 Retail Operating Performance Report was commissioned by WPA in collaboration with Pet Store Pro. The study surveyed 118 pet retail companies, representing more than 250 retail locations and including retail stores with animals, dry goods only and grooming. The report format provides easy-to-understand guidelines and benchmarks to help pet professionals evaluate financial and operating performance compared to a cross-section of the industry and includes a compilation on and analysis of sales and operations data, as well as additional profile information.

The strategic analysis is designed to help pet retailers monitor and manage expenses, measure and improve productivity, evaluate employee effectiveness and improve their company’s bottom line. Key areas evaluated include: overall performance, management ratios, cash cycle, liquidity measures, employee productivity ratios, sales performance and space productivity ratios.

“As stewards of the industry, it’s important for WPA to provide pet retailers with resources they need to drive business growth strategies,” said Jacinthe Moreau, president of WPA. “The 2017 Retail Operating Performance Report is the best, most up-to-date, comprehensive indicator of the current health of the industry. Retailers will truly benefit from the analysis that compares store types, allowing them to identify their strengths and weaknesses against similar stores so they can make informed business decisions.

Among the most interesting findings, the 2017 report found respondents:

  • Had typical sales volume of $863,704 and a median ticket of $34.94 per transaction
  • Reported net profit before taxes of 7 percent (up from 5 percent in 2016)
  • Averaged sales growth of 5.3 percent in 2016 and forecasted growth of 5.8 percent in 2017
  • Reported income from grooming accounts for 46.4 percent of revenue for the average grooming store, with a nearly comparable percentage of income (43.7 percent) coming from net sales of merchandise and boarding services
  • Reported total revenues per selling square foot of $226 and operating margins per square foot of $124
  • Reported plans to initiate online sales in the next two years (43.6 percent)

The 2017 WPA Retail Operating Performance Report was compiled, tabulated and analyzed by Industry Insights, Inc., an independent professional research and consulting firm that specializes in customized research.