👀 Solink Secure Summit ’25 now 75% sold and seats going fast.
Agenda and details here.

40 most important KPIs for retail stores to pay attention to

Learn about KPIs for your retail store, and how to calculate them with our definitive article today

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Navigating the complex world of retail management requires a strong focus on performance metrics. This article explores the top 40 KPIs for retail stores, providing a comprehensive guide to measuring and enhancing various aspects of your business.

See how Solink can help your retail business.

Sales Metrics

Sales metrics are the cornerstone of any retail business, directly reflecting revenue generation. These KPIs, like gross sales revenue and net sales revenue, offer insights into customer spending patterns and the effectiveness of sales strategies.

Learn about KPIs for your retail store, and how to calculate them with our definitive article today

1. Gross Sales Revenue (GSR)

KPI formula: Total Units Sold x Unit Price

GSR shows the total income before any expenses or discounts. A high GSR often indicates robust customer demand.

2. Net Sales Revenue (NSR)

KPI formula: Gross Sales Revenue – (Returns + Discounts)

NSR offers a more accurate measure of actual sales by accounting for returns and discounts.

3. Average Order Value (AOV)

KPI formula: Total Sales Revenue / Number of Orders

AOV represents the average amount spent per transaction. Higher AOV suggests that upselling and cross-selling efforts are effective.

A laptop and smartphone displaying security software interfaces on a teal background with the text "Discover Security on a Whole New Level" and "Book a Demo Now.

Customer Metrics

Customer metrics focus on the behavior and value of customers shopping at your store. KPIs like customer lifetime value and customer retention rate are critical for understanding long-term customer relationships and driving business growth.

4. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)

KPI formula: Average Spend per Visit x Frequency of Purchase x Customer Lifetime

The higher the CLV, the more valuable the customer over their entire relationship with the store.

5. Customer Retention Rate (CRR)

KPI formula: (Number of Returning Customers / Total Customers) x 100

A high CRR indicates customer satisfaction and loyalty, crucial for long-term business growth.

6. Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI)

KPI formula: (Total ‘Happy’ Responses / Total Survey Responses) x 100

High CSI scores suggest that customers are generally satisfied with the store’s products and services.

Inventory Metrics

Inventory metrics are crucial for maintaining a balance between supply and demand. KPIs like stock turnover and out-of-stock rate help you make informed decisions on ordering and stocking, optimizing both storage costs and sales.

7. Stock Turnover (ST)

KPI formula: Cost of Goods Sold / Average Inventory Value

High stock turnover indicates effective inventory management, which minimizes holding costs.

8. Sell-through Rate (STR)

KPI formula: (Units Sold / Initial Inventory) x 100 Low STR suggests overstocking, which can lead to increased holding costs. A person holding a smartphone showing a video while another screen in the background displays security footage. The text reads "Get Started - Solink - Demo With Us Now.

9. Out-of-Stock Rate (OSR)

KPI formula: (Number of Out-of-Stock Items / Total SKUs) x 100

A low OSR indicates good inventory planning, ensuring that popular items are always available.

Employee Metrics

Employee metrics gauge the productivity and satisfaction levels of your workforce. Sales per employee and employee turnover rate can reveal both the efficiency and morale of your staff, which indirectly impact customer service and sales.

10. Sales per Employee (SPE)

KPI formula: Total Sales / Number of Employees

A higher SPE reflects staff efficiency in contributing to sales.

11. Employee Turnover Rate (ETR)

KPI formula: (Number of Exits / Average Number of Employees) x 100

A low ETR usually signifies high employee satisfaction.

12. Employee Engagement Score (EES)

KPI formula: (Engaged Employees / Total Employees) x 100

High EES suggests a motivated workforce, which often translates to better customer service.

Operational Metrics

Operational metrics shed light on the efficiency of store processes and procedures. KPIs like average transaction value and foot traffic help you fine-tune operational aspects to improve overall performance.

13. Average Transaction Value (ATV)

KPI formula: Total Sales / Number of Transactions

A higher ATV indicates that customers buy more per visit, which is often indicative of effective sales strategies.

14. Sales per Square Foot (SPSF)

KPI formula: Total Sales / Sales Floor Area in Square Feet

A higher SPSF often means better store layout and merchandising, contributing to better sales.

15. Foot Traffic

KPI formula: Total Visitors / Operating Hours

Higher foot traffic generally leads to more opportunities for sales and customer interactions.

An ad featuring a clickable link to book a demo with solink.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics offer a deep dive into the financial health of your retail operation. Monitoring KPIs like gross profit margin and operating margin can help you manage expenses and maximize profits.

16. Gross Profit Margin (GPM)

KPI formula: (Net Sales – Cost of Goods Sold) / Net Sales x 100

High GPM indicates more room for profits after accounting for the cost of goods sold.

17. Return on Investment (ROI)

KPI formula: (Net Profit / Cost of Investment) x 100

A high ROI indicates effective use of investments for profit generation.

18. Operating Margin

KPI formula: Operating Income / Net Sales x 100

A higher operating margin suggests that the store is well-managed and can generate profit more efficiently.

Online Metrics

Online metrics usually focus on digital sales and customer behavior on a retailer’s online platforms. However, these metrics can also offer crucial insights into the performance and influence of a brick-and-mortar store on local online sales. For instance, if you notice an uptick in local online conversion rates or a drop in cart abandonment rates shortly after opening a new physical location, those metrics can suggest that your brick-and-mortar presence is positively impacting your online business.

19. Conversion Rate (CR)

KPI formula: (Number of Conversions / Total Visitors) x 100

High CR reveals effectiveness in turning online visitors into buyers.

20. Cart Abandonment Rate (CAR)

KPI formula: (Number of Incomplete Transactions / Number of Initiated Transactions) x 100

A lower CAR indicates a more streamlined and effective online checkout process.

21. Bounce Rate

KPI formula: (Single-Page Visits / Total Visits) x 100

A lower bounce rate indicates that the online store is effectively engaging its visitors.

Security Metrics

Security metrics focus on the safety and integrity of both assets and transactions. KPIs like loss prevention and fraud rate are vital for minimizing financial losses and protecting your reputation. Companies like Solink can bolster these metrics by offering superior video monitoring and insights.

22. Loss Prevention (LP)

KPI formula: (Shrinkage / Net Sales) x 100

Lower percentages in LP indicate effective security measures that help in reducing theft and damage. Here are some helpful loss prevention tips.

23. Incident Rate (IR)

KPI formula: (Number of Security Incidents / Total Operating Hours)

A high IR can indicate poor security measures and increase costs. Businesses can utilize solutions like Solink to improve their security metrics by providing video monitoring and actionable business insights.

Banner promoting Solink with the text "Top Reasons People Are Going With Solink" and three reasons listed: Event Search, Remote Access, and Video Wall. A "Book My Demo Today" button is featured.

24. Fraud Rate

KPI formula: (Number of Fraudulent Transactions / Total Transactions) x 100

A lower fraud rate means more secure transactions, adding to customer trust and legal compliance. Sales-reducing transactions (SRTs) should be monitored collectively as even legitimate returns and voids hurt operations.

Shrinkage Metrics

Shrinkage metrics quantify the losses your store might incur due to theft, damage, or mismanagement. Tracking rates of shrinkage and damage helps identify vulnerabilities and implement effective countermeasures.

25. Shrinkage Rate (SR)

KPI formula: (Inventory Loss / Sales) x 100

A lower SR indicates better inventory management and less theft or loss.

26. Damaged Goods Rate (DGR)

KPI formula: (Damaged Goods / Total Inventory) x 100

Lower DGR shows better handling and storage practices, reducing waste.

27. Theft Rate (TR)

KPI formula: (Stolen Items / Total Inventory) x 100

Lower theft rates are a sign of effective security measures. Cloud video security from providers like Solink can help in minimizing this rate.

Marketing Metrics

Marketing metrics evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and customer engagement. From Customer Acquisition Cost to Marketing ROI, these KPIs tell you how well your marketing efforts are resonating with potential and existing customers.

28. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

KPI formula: Marketing Spend / Number of New Customers Acquired

Lower CAC means that the store is acquiring new customers more efficiently.

29. Marketing ROI (MROI)

KPI formula: (Revenue from Marketing / Marketing Spend) x 100

A higher MROI indicates effective marketing campaigns.

30. Social Media Engagement

KPI formula: (Likes + Shares + Comments) / Total Followers x 100

High social media engagement shows that marketing messages resonate with the audience.

31. Email Open Rate (EOR)

KPI formula: (Emails Opened / Emails Sent) x 100

A higher EOR suggests that email marketing campaigns are capturing interest.

Finance Metrics

Finance metrics are a vital tool for understanding the store’s overall financial stability and performance. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and quick ratio, among others, provide a clearer picture of your financial standing.

32. Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT)

KPI formula: Revenue – Operating Expenses

Higher EBIT is indicative of a more profitable store, before accounting for taxes and interest.

33. Quick Ratio

KPI formula: (Cash + Marketable Securities + Accounts Receivable) / Current Liabilities

A higher quick ratio shows better liquidity and ability to cover short-term liabilities.

34. Debt-to-Equity Ratio

KPI formula: Total Debt / Shareholder Equity

A lower debt-to-equity ratio indicates a more stable financial structure, minimizing financial risk.

Supplier Performance Metrics

Supplier metrics are essential for assessing the reliability and quality of your supply chain. On-time deliveries and quality of goods directly affect inventory levels and customer satisfaction.

35. Supplier On-time Delivery Rate (SODR)

KPI formula: (On-time Deliveries / Total Deliveries) x 100

A higher SODR indicates reliable suppliers, which aids in effective inventory management.

36. Supplier Quality Index (SQI)

KPI formula: (Number of Defect-Free Units / Total Units Received) x 100

High SQI scores suggest that the supplier consistently provides high-quality goods.

37. Supplier Response Time (SRT)

KPI formula: Average Time for Supplier to Respond to Inquiries

Shorter SRT indicates better supplier responsiveness, which can be critical for urgent restocking or issue resolution.

Facility Management Metrics

Facility management metrics give insights into the operational efficiency and condition of the physical store. Monitoring energy consumption and maintenance costs can significantly impact the bottom line by reducing overheads.

38. Energy Consumption Rate (ECR)

KPI formula: Total Energy Consumed / Operating Hours

Lower ECR suggests more efficient use of energy, which can contribute to reduced operating costs.

39. Maintenance Costs per Square Foot (MCSF)

KPI formula: Total Maintenance Costs / Total Square Feet of Retail Space

Lower MCSF indicates more effective facility management and potentially longer asset lifespan.

40. Cleanliness Score (CS)

KPI formula: (Positive Cleanliness Audits / Total Audits) x 100

A higher cleanliness score suggests a more inviting shopping environment, which could improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Solink can help your KPIs for retail stores

Measuring and monitoring KPIs is a game-changing strategy for retail stores. They provide a numerical basis for tracking performance, spotting trends, and making data-driven decisions. Yet, gathering and analyzing this data can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where Solink comes into play.

Solink’s video monitoring and business insights tools not only help secure your store but also contribute to improving several of your KPIs. For instance, better security footage can help reduce theft, thereby improving your Shrinkage Rate. Insights on customer behavior can inform decisions that will positively impact Customer Metrics like Customer Lifetime Value or Customer Retention Rate. By integrating Solink’s capabilities into your operations, you’re not just adding a security measure; you’re adopting a multi-functional tool that can elevate your retail performance across various key indicators.

Harness the power of Solink to not just monitor but also actively enhance your retail KPIs. Because when it comes to improving retail performance, Solink is more than a solution; it’s a strategy for success.

To see how Solink can be a partner in your retail success, sign up for a demo today.