ARLINGTON, Va. — Overall store margins among independent operators rose in 2008, along with same-store sales and average inventory levels, according to the 2009 Independent Grocers Survey issued by the National Grocers Association here and FMS Solutions.
The study encompassing survey data from independent retailers in 27 states indicated gross margins had a solid increase of 139 basis points over 2007, rising to 26.94% last year, compared with 25.55% a year earlier.
Same-store sales increased by 4.31%, prior to adjustments for the Consumer Price Index food-at-home numbers, the report pointed out.
“With food at home inflation up 6.4%, these numbers could be viewed as marginal at best,” NGA said in the report.
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