Same-Store Sales
 |
Definition of 'Same-Store Sales'A statistic used in retail industry analysis that compares the sales of stores that have been open for at least one year. Same-store sales compare revenues earned by a retail chain's established outlets over a certain time period, such as a fiscal quarter or on a seasonal basis, for the current period and the same period in the past (usually the same period of the previous year.) Same-store sales allow investors to determine what portion of new sales has come from sales growth and what portion can be attributed to the opening of new stores.Same-store sales are also called "S.S.S.," "comps," "comparable store sales," "identical store sales" or "like-store sales." |
 |
Investopedia explains 'Same-Store Sales'Same-store sales figures are expressed as a percentage. For example, retail chain ABC may report same-store sales growth of 4.5% for the current fiscal quarter over last year's. Same-store analysis is important because although new stores may represent growth for a retail chain, a saturation point - where future sales growth is determined by same store sales growth - may eventually occur. Same-store sales are typically published by retail companies on a monthly basis. The figures help analysts differentiate between revenue growth that comes from any new outlets and growth that is a result of improved management and operations at the existing outlets. |
Related Definitions
Articles Of Interest
-
Consumer Spending As A Market Indicator
What people buy and where they shop can provide valuable information about the economy. -
Analyze Cash Flow The Easy Way
Find out how to analyze the way a company spends its money to determine whether there will be any money left for investors. -
Analyzing Retail Stocks
To analyze retail stocks, investors need to be aware of the most common metrics used. Find out what they are. -
Capitalizing On Seasonal Effects
We show you how to take advantage of periodic trends in the equity markets. -
The 4 R's Of Investing In Retail
Financial discipline is the key to successful growth in the retail industry. -
Doing More With Less: The Sales-Per-Employee Ratio
If used properly, this ratio can give you insight into a company's productivity and financial health. -
Why do people say that September is the worst month for investing?
Often in the financial media, you will hear people make reference to specific times of the week, month or year that typically provide bullish or bearish conditions.One of the historical realities ... -
Introduction To Coincident And Lagging Economic Indicators
Investors can learn a lot, or very little, from these indicators once they know how to use them. -
Sears' Losses Widen In Q1 - Time To Merge With JC Penney?
Sears Holdings delivered another brutal quarter May 23. CEO and majority owner Edward Lampert has his hands full trying to revive a truly broken department store. Rumor has Neiman Marcus and ... -
Ralph Lauren Q4 Earnings Up 35%: Buy or Sell?
Ralph Lauren announced Q4 earnings that were 35% ahead of last year. Unfortunately, it also was very cautious on its 2014 revenue growth. Although its stock's had a good run in the past year ...
Free Annual Reports