Among Small Business Retailers, Brick-and-Mortar Thrives

Data shows small retailers holding strong, as consumers spend 69% of discretionary monthly income on in-store purchases

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Jul 11, 2019, 10:10 ET

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Small retailer businesses make up 98.6% of all retail firms, and employ nearly 40% of all retail workers, according to new data gathered by SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses, in honor of National Independent Retailer Month. Data also shows small brick-and-mortar retailers are remaining competitive by creatively engaging online to bring customers into their stores.

Small retailer businesses make up 98.6% of all retail firms, and employ nearly 40% of all retail workers, according to new data gathered by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses, in honor of National Independent Retailer Month. Data also shows small brick-and-mortar retailers are remaining competitive by creatively engaging online to bring customers into their stores.

"Over the past 20 years, the Internet has steadily disrupted the retail industry, which has led some to assume that brick-and-mortar stores would eventually become a thing of the past," said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. "Instead, this data shows how small brick-and-mortar retailers are successfully adapting their shopping experiences through strategies such as omni-channel sales, entertaining in-store events and special promotions, which appeal to the modern consumer's busy lifestyle and evolving needs."

Small retailers, with 50 or fewer employees, make up a majority of the retail industry:

Small retailers make up 98.6% of all retail firms.
Small and medium retailers have an average monthly revenue of $22,341 and an average gross margin of 51%.
Small retailers hire 39.8% of all retail employees.

Brick-and-mortar businesses have an in-store advantage over online-only retailers:

Consumers spend 69% of their discretionary monthly income in-store.
Ecommerce compromises just 9.46% of total retail sales.
55% of online shoppers prefer to buy from retailers that have a physical store presence, versus online only.
Trying items in store is three times more influential than other purchase factors.

Small retailers are using increasingly popular "retailtainment" events to engage and retain customers. 82% of shoppers attended a retail event last year and 58% are interested in going to one in the future. Top events consumers are interested in attending include:

Exclusive access to items or sale: 87%
Party: 81%
Product demonstration or tutorial: 80%

Small retailers that sell furniture and alcohol have the highest average monthly revenues:

Furniture: $40K in average monthly revenue
Beer, Wine and Spirits: $39K
Sporting Goods: $30.4K
Jewelry: $30K
Furnishings: $28K
Beverages $27.7K
Electronics: $26.4K
Fashion: $25K
Specialty Foods: $20.2K
Cosmetics & Beauty: $18.6K

Download the infographic for more information on consumer trends in small retail businesses.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE's 11,000 volunteer business experts provide free small business mentoring sessions, workshops and educational services to clients in 300 chapters nationwide. In 2018, SCORE volunteers helped to create 32,387 new businesses and 103,300 non-owner jobs.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, or on volunteering with SCORE, visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest small business news and updates.

Contact Information
Betsy Dougert
800-634-0245
[email protected]

SOURCE SCORE