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We analyzed transactions for every day of the 2017 calendar year at 54,000 small, independent retailers across America. The result is a comprehensive look at when local retailers earn the most money, when they’re busiest, and which states make the most from patrons who #shoplocal.

Understanding this report

To understand the average day for retailers in America, we need to take a multidimensional look at the revenue performance on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. To do this we break retailers’ daily revenue into the three key fundamental metrics we’ll use to identify trends:

Transactions, or how many individual payments retailers process, give us a sense of when retailers are busiest. While it is not an indication of visitors, it does tell us how many individual payments are processed during the period.

Purchase Price, or how much patrons spend on average per transaction, is an interesting metric to track for retailers. Often, the biggest revenue days for retailers are the same days when consumers spend the least per transaction.

Revenue is the metric that most business owners are familiar with. It’s the result of the number of transactions processed during the period and the amount consumers spent per transaction. It’s our mainsail metric and the one we used most to track the seasonal impact on local retailers.

Alabama: LOCAL RETAILERS’ AVERAGE DAY

To get started, let’s take a look at the average day for local retailers in The Yellowhammer State: Alabama. On an average day, local retailers in Alabama process 11.1 transactions at $89 per purchase, which results in $985 in daily revenue. Compared to retailers in other states, Alabama’s average daily revenue is 37.5% lower. They average 14.8% fewer transactions on a daily basis and their customers spend 26.7% less per purchase than consumers nationally.

ALABAMA’S AVERAGE DAY

• REVENUE: $985
• TRANSACTIONS: 11.1
• PURCHASE PRICE: $89
• REVENUE RANK: 42nd

All told, this makes Alabama the 42nd-ranked state for daily revenue generation, which puts them between Missouri (41st) and Oklahoma (43rd) in our national ranking.

Alabama: local retailers’ average week

Next, let’s look beyond the daily trends to the average sales week for retailers in Alabama. In 2017, local retailers in Alabama typically made $6,911 each week, thanks to 78 weekly transactions at the average purchase price of $89.

ALABAMA’S AVERAGE WEEK

• REVENUE: $6,911
• TRANSACTIONS: 78
• PURCHASE PRICE: $89

Alabama’s local retailers’ average weekly revenue is 137.5% lower than the national average, and they process 14.3% fewer transactions than retailers nationally each week.

Alabama: local retailers’ average daily revenue by day of the week

While it’s helpful to know what an average week looks like, most business owners can tell you just how different each day of the week can be for sales. To see how daily revenue changes during the week, refer to the top-center chart.

Independent retailers in Alabama typically make $1,317 on Fridays which is 33.7% better than their average day, and 32.2% lower than retailers nationally. On the flip-side, Sunday is typically the slowest day for retailers in Alabama, generating only $328.

Alabama: local retailers’ daily transactions by day of the week

To see how the number of daily transactions changes from day to day, refer to the graph labeled, “transactions.”

In Alabama, local retailers tend to be busiest on Fridays. With an average of 14.8 daily transactions, Friday is 33.2% better than their average day. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Sunday, their slowest day of the week, when they only average 4.3 transactions.

Alabama: local retailers’ purchase price across the days of the week

Purchase price changes are quite interesting. In general, as the week goes on, the amount customers typically pay per purchase drops to the point that consumers are paying the least they pay all week on the busiest days for local retailers. To see how Alabama compares to the national trend, refer to the graph labeled, “purchase price.”

In Alabama, Tuesday is the day when consumers are spending the most per purchase, averaging $93 per purchase.

Alabama: local retailers’ weekday vs. weekend

Next, let’s see how consumer spending at local retailers in Alabama varies from weekdays to weekends. In this analysis, we have grouped Monday-Thursday as “weekdays,” and Friday-Sunday as “weekends.”

Let’s look at the overall revenue contribution of weekdays and weekends. Over the the course of an average week, local retailers in Alabama make about $1,029 on weekdays and $926 on weekends.

Alabama: local retailers’ top 3 weeks

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that most states have their best sales week during the holiday rush, but did you know that in 2017 the week leading up to Christmas Eve (December 17 to December 23) was the single best week for local retailers in 39 states and it was in the top-three weeks for 84% of local retailers nationally? Here’s a look at Alabama’s top three weeks:

BEST WEEK

• December 17 – December 23
• 151% higher than their average week

SECOND-BEST WEEK

• April 30 – May 6
• 133% higher than their average week

THIRD-BEST WEEK

• December 10 – December 16
• 131% higher than their average week

Alabama: local retailers’ average month

Now, let’s look at the average sales month for retailers in Alabama and how annual revenue is distributed across the months of the year, as well as how much retailers in Alabama typically made each month.

ALABAMA’S AVERAGE MONTH

• REVENUE: $29,949
• TRANSACTIONS: 337
• PURCHASE PRICE: $89

For starters, local retailers in Alabama average $29,949 in revenue each month, thanks to 337 monthly transactions at an average purchase price of $89.

Compared to retailers nationally, Alabama’s retailers’ average monthly revenue is 37.5% lower, and they process about 14.7% fewer transactions on a daily basis.

Alabama: local retailers’ percentage of annual revenue by month

In the graph above, we see the highest and lowest revenue-generating months for local retailers in Alabama. This shows us that the average Alabama retailer makes 10.3% of their annual revenue in May alone. In 2017, the retailers in Alabama averaged $37,160 for the month. By contrast, January is typically the slowest month for retailers in Alabama, as it only generates 6.2% of their annual revenue.

While a few percentage points may not seem that significant, there is a $14,959 difference in total monthly revenue between their best and slowest months.

Alabama: local retailers’ average daily revenue by month

Next, we’ll take a look at the daily revenue for local retailers on a month-to-month basis. The three graphs above illustrate just how much the average daily revenue, transactions, and purchase prices fluctuate from month to month.

For example, the best month for local retailer revenues in Alabama is May, when local retailers typically make $1,199 per day.

Alabama: local retailers’ average daily transactions by month

Next, we see how the average daily transaction volume varies from month to month, revealing the ebbs and flows of shoppers visiting local retailers in Alabama. We can see that in May–the month when their transaction volume is highest–local retailers average 14 daily transactions.

Alabama: local retailers’ average daily purchase price by month

Which month do consumers spend the most per-purchase with local retailers in Alabama? December. Consumers tend to spend $97 per purchase, compared to their usual purchase price of $89.

Alabama: LOCAL RETAILERS’ AVERAGE YEAR

The graphs above give us a week-by-week look at revenue, transactions, and purchase price trends for local retailers in Alabama across an entire year. Each flat line represents a full Sunday-to-Saturday week.

ALABAMA’S AVERAGE YEAR

• REVENUE: $359,389
• TRANSACTIONS: 4,040
• PURCHASE PRICE: $89

All told, Alabama retailers make about $359,389 in annual revenue over 4,040 total transactions at an average purchase price of $89. Compared to the retailers on the national level, retailers in Alabama made 37.5% less in 2017 and processed 14.8% fewer transactions.

Alabama: local retailers’ year-end trends

Unsurprisingly, the closer we get to the end of the year, the higher the weeks rank for sales. The end-of-year holiday rush is, without a doubt, the single biggest money-making period for retailers across the country, as well as for retailers in Alabama.

Notice the general trends of Alabama’s overall revenue, transactions and purchase price as they draw closer to the end of the year. On a national level, transactions spike the closer they get to Christmas, while the average purchase price drops as consumers take advantage of holidays deals. Take a look at the revenue trends for Alabama and how they compare to the national trend.

Alabama: LOCAL RETAILERS’ KEY HOLIDAY SALES PERIODS

The holidays are high season for retail sales. In fact, many states make 1 out of every 4 dollars during this period. Let’s look at how important November and December are in terms of total annual revenue generation and what an average day during these months looks like.

Alabama: local retailers during November and December

With November and December accounting for so much of the revenue generated during the course of the year, it helps to know what the “average day” during this period looks like and how it compares to the “average day” during the rest of the year.

During November and December, local retailers average $1,094 in daily revenue which is 11.1% higher than their average day. Those same retailers process 11.7 transactions on a daily basis (6% more than their average day). And the consumers’ average purchase price increases 4.8% to $93.

All said, the months of November and December account for 18.6% of Alabama’s annual revenue generation and 17.7% of the year’s total transactions.

Alabama: local retailers from Thanksgiving to Christmas

For many people, including most retailers, the holiday sales season doesn’t begin until Black Friday. In fact, the sales periods from Thanksgiving to Christmas is a four-week sprint for retailers across the country.

In Alabama, local retailers typically average $1,176 in daily revenue between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s a 19.4% bump from their average day. Those same retailers process 12.3 transactions on a daily basis (a 10.7% lift compared to their average day), and the consumers’ average purchase price increases 7.9% to $96.

All told, the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas sales period accounts for 10.5% of the revenue and 9.7% of the year’s transactions for retailers in Alabama.

Alabama: LOCAL RETAILERS’ REVENUE TRENDS ON BLACK FRIDAY, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, AND CYBER MONDAY

You can’t talk about holiday sales without mentioning Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. In fact, they are some of the best revenue-generating days for local business owners across the country. Let’s closer look at each of these key sales days.

Alabama: local retailers’ average Black Friday

On average, in 2017, Black Friday was the best sales day of the year for local retailers. When we ranked all 365 days of the year for the amount of revenue generated, Black Friday was one of the top 3 days for 40 of the 50 states. In fact, Black Friday was in the top 20 days for every state but Arkansas (where it was the 42nd-best) and Wisconsin (81st).

For local retailers in Alabama, Black Friday was the 3rd-best revenue-generating day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $1,959 in daily revenue, which is 98.9% better than their average day.

BLACK FRIDAY IN ALABAMA

• DAY RANK: 3rd
• REVENUE: $1,959
• TRANSACTIONS: 19
• PURCHASE PRICE: $103

Compared to the national average retailer, those in Alabama made 36.6% less in daily revenue on Black Friday. They averaged 19 transactions, which is 27% less than the national average. Their average purchase price of $103 is 13.1% lower than other states.

Alabama: local retailers’ average Small Business Saturday

It’s hard to follow up Black Friday’s monumental revenue lift, but Small Business Saturday still packs a punch for local retailers’ revenue. It’s in the top 100 days of the year for 37 states and the 15th-best day of the year nationally.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IN ALABAMA

 

• DAY RANK: 270th
• REVENUE: $899
• TRANSACTIONS: 10.7
• PURCHASE PRICE: $84

For independent retailers in Alabama, Small Business Saturday was the 270th-highest revenue generating day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $899 in daily revenue, 10.7 transactions, and a purchase price of $84. Compared to retailers across the country, Small Business Saturday revenues were 55.1% below the national average in Alabama.

Alabama: local retailers’ average Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday isn’t just for e-commerce companies like Amazon; it’s the 11th-best sales day of the year for local retailers across the United States.

For local retailers in Alabama, Cyber Monday was their 82nd-best day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $1,205 in daily revenue, 13.1 transactions, and an average purchase price of $92.

CYBER MONDAY IN ALABAMA

• DAY RANK: 82nd
• REVENUE: $1,205
• TRANSACTIONS: 13.1
• PURCHASE PRICE: $92

Compared to the national average retailer, Alabama’s local retailers made 44% less in daily revenue on Cyber Monday. Their transactions were 9.6% below the national average, while their average purchase price was 38.1% lower than other states.

Alabama: local retailers’ prominent days vs. their average day

Retailers put a lot of focus and work into holidays and big-sale days. Here’s how Alabama retailers’ prominent days rank compared to their average day.

DAY	RANK/365	DAILY REVENUE	CHANGE IN REVENUE	DAILY TRANSACTIONS	CHANGE IN TRANSACTIONS	AVG PURCHASE PRICE	CHANGE IN PURCHASE PRICE
MLK day	283	$ 845.98	-14%	9.29	-16%	$ 91.05	2%
Valentine’s Day	180	$ 1,026.20	4%	12.41	12%	$ 82.67	-7%
President’s Day	213	$ 991.66	1%	11.06	0%	$ 89.69	1%
St. Patrick’s Day	78	$ 1,224.80	24%	14.25	29%	$ 85.96	-3%
Easter Sunday	364	$ 145.39	-85%	2.50	-77%	$ 58.08	-35%
Cinco de Mayo	26	$ 1,434.11	46%	16.36	48%	$ 87.64	-1%
Mother’s Day	339	$ 317.68	-68%	4.93	-55%	$ 64.48	-28%
Memorial Day	234	$ 969.15	-2%	10.93	-1%	$ 88.69	0%
Father’s Day	348	$ 288.05	-71%	4.27	-61%	$ 67.53	-24%
July 4th	307	$ 613.38	-38%	8.74	-21%	$ 70.22	-21%
Veteran’s Day	133	$ 1,099.86	12%	12.99	17%	$ 84.64	-5%
Thanksgiving	361	$ 197.86	-80%	2.46	-78%	$ 80.35	-10%
Black Friday	3	$ 1,958.74	99%	19.03	72%	$ 102.93	16%
Small Business Saturday	270	$ 898.67	-9%	10.71	-3%	$ 83.87	-6%
Cyber Monday	82	$ 1,205.28	22%	13.13	19%	$ 91.81	3%
Christmas Eve	328	$ 360.61	-63%	3.79	-66%	$ 95.14	7%
Christmas Day	365	$ 36.45	-96%	0.48	-96%	$ 75.35	-15%
New Year’s Eve	330	$ 355.16	-64%	4.47	-60%	$ 79.47	-11%

METHODOLOGY

Womply analyzed daily revenue for 54,000 local, independent retailers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for all 365 days of the 2017 calendar year. Retailers were only qualified for the analysis if Womply had a full year of transaction history and the business recorded multiple transactions per day. Category and overall state rankings are based on a composite score of each state’s transactions, average ticket sizes, and overall daily revenue.

ABOUT WOMPLY

Womply is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider to small businesses and one of the fastest growing software companies in America. Our mission is to help small businesses thrive in a digital world. Every day we serve more than 100,000 small businesses across 400+ business verticals, in every corner of America. To learn more, visit https://www.womply.com or email info@womply.com.