Casual Living's Store Operations Survey for 2012

Retailers increase services offered to customers

Stephanie Nickell -- Casual Living, 7/1/2012 2:00:00 AM

Store Operations 2012The results of this exclusive survey provide a glimpse into store operations, space allocation and merchandise mix data, as well as efficiency measures. According to the survey, in order to recoup some of the merchandise sales lost over the last few years as a result of the economy, casual retailers have increased the services offered to customers including finance options, interior design services, delivery services and repair services.

Four years ago, services accounted for 8% of revenues compared with 16% in 2012.

Casual Living's exclusive 2012 Store Operations Survey is based on responses of retailers operating more than 100 stores across the United States. Responding retailers include casual furniture specialists, hearth, patio, pool, and/or spa stores, full-line furniture stores, direct-to-consumer retailers and home center and/or hardware stores.

Store locations represent all regions of the country with one third in the South, 25% both in the Midwest and Northeast and 17% in the West.

Fifty-nine percent of responding retailers had 2011 sales of less than $1 million; 18% had sales between $1 million and $1.99 million; 8% between $2 million and $2.99 million; and 15% had year-end sales of $3 million or more.

For the entire report, see the July 2012 print issue of Casual Living or click here for the exclusive electronic version.