The Retail Owners Institute encourages retailers to monitor the trends of the key financial indicators of your store's performance.  Watching these key ratios can provide important early warnings of needed changes. (More info here)

Then, take advantage of The ROI's presentation of five year trends for 6 key ratios for 52 separate retail segments.  Compare your store's performance to others in your particular retail niche. This can provide valuable perspective - and even peace of mind! - for retail owners.

Need a refresher on the formulas for these key ratios, and how to calculate them with a pencil?  See The ROI's "Cheat Sheet" Quick Reference Guide.)

The segments featured at The ROI reflect the definitions and designations of the North American Industrial Classification System. Retailers may need to examine the benchmark numbers in more than one segment to get perspective on their own store's performance, particularly if their store does not exactly fit the NAICS category.