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Laurie Owen: Inventory Turns

Stats to know for your store.

Published

19 years ago

January 1, 2006

David Squires Instore January 2006 Issue

1.4

What is it? It’s the number of inventory turns you should be shooting for per year. (Of course, if your turn is higher, all we have to say is … well played, sir, well played.) Typical is 1.1 to 1.4 turns per year, according to a 2001 Jewelers of America “Cost of Doing Business” survey. Your store’s profit margin is an important consideration here. Says David Geller: “A gross margin of 50 percent goes well with a turn of ‘one’. Less than that and you may have problems making profits”. Geller reasons that since most jewelers have profit margins in the 41 to 48 percent range, they need at least a 1.25 turn to stay healthy. And for optimum health, you should shoot for a 1.4 turn.

Strategy: How can you move your entire inventory an average of one and a half times per year? Two keys: 1.) Re-order fast sellers frequently – as often as weekly, and 2.) Have your hand on the switch, ready to euthanize any dogs the very instant they turn one year old. Be ruthless! Keep turning!

This story is from the January 2006 edition of INSTORE.

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.