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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.

New York: LOCAL RETAILERS’ AVERAGE DAY

To get started, let’s take a look at the average day for local retailers in The Empire State: New York. On an average day, local retailers in New York process 15.4 transactions at $155 per purchase, which results in $2,383 in daily revenue. Compared to retailers in other states, New York’s average daily revenue is 51.2% higher. They average 18.2% more transactions on a daily basis and their customers spend 27.8% more per purchase than consumers nationally.

NEW YORK’S AVERAGE DAY

• REVENUE: $2,383
• TRANSACTIONS: 15.4
• PURCHASE PRICE: $155
• REVENUE RANK: 4th

All told, this makes New York the 4th-ranked state for daily revenue generation, which puts them between Utah (3rd) and Connecticut (5th) in our national ranking.

New York: local retailers’ average week

Next, let’s look beyond the daily trends to the average sales week for retailers in New York. In 2017, local retailers in New York typically made $16,728 each week, thanks to 108 weekly transactions at the average purchase price of $155.

NEW YORK’S AVERAGE WEEK

• REVENUE: $16,728
• TRANSACTIONS: 108
• PURCHASE PRICE: $155

New York’s local retailers’ average weekly revenue is 48.8% higher than the national average, and they process 18.7% more transactions than retailers nationally each week.

New York: 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 New York typically make $2,788 on Fridays which is 17% better than their average day, and 43.6% higher than retailers nationally. On the flip-side, Sunday is typically the slowest day for retailers in New York, generating only $1,266.

New York: 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 New York, local retailers tend to be busiest on Fridays. With an average of 18.6 daily transactions, Friday is 21.1% 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 11 transactions.

New York: 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 New York compares to the national trend, refer to the graph labeled, “purchase price.”

In New York, Monday is the day when consumers are spending the most per purchase, averaging $181 per purchase.

New York: local retailers’ weekday vs. weekend

Next, let’s see how consumer spending at local retailers in New York 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 New York make about $2,689 on weekdays and $1,978 on weekends.

New York: 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 New York’s top three weeks:

BEST WEEK

• November 26 – December 2
• 175% higher than their average week

SECOND-BEST WEEK

• December 17 – December 23
• 146% higher than their average week

THIRD-BEST WEEK

• November 19 – November 25
• 132% higher than their average week

New York: local retailers’ average month

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

NEW YORK’S AVERAGE MONTH

• REVENUE: $72,488
• TRANSACTIONS: 467
• PURCHASE PRICE: $155

For starters, local retailers in New York average $72,488 in revenue each month, thanks to 467 monthly transactions at an average purchase price of $155.

Compared to retailers nationally, New York’s retailers’ average monthly revenue is 51.2% higher, and they process about 18.2% more transactions on a daily basis.

New York: 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 New York. This shows us that the average New York retailer makes 10.6% of their annual revenue in December alone. In 2017, the retailers in New York averaged $91,749 for the month. By contrast, February is typically the slowest month for retailers in New York, as it only generates 7% of their annual revenue.

While a few percentage points may not seem that significant, there is a $30,870 difference in total monthly revenue between their best and slowest months.

New York: 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 New York is December, when local retailers typically make $2,960 per day.

New York: 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 New York. We can see that in December–the month when their transaction volume is highest–local retailers average 19 daily transactions.

New York: local retailers’ average daily purchase price by month

Which month do consumers spend the most per-purchase with local retailers in New York? November. Consumers tend to spend $179 per purchase, compared to their usual purchase price of $155.

New York: 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 New York across an entire year. Each flat line represents a full Sunday-to-Saturday week.

NEW YORK’S AVERAGE YEAR

• REVENUE: $869,859
• TRANSACTIONS: 5,608
• PURCHASE PRICE: $155

All told, New York retailers make about $869,859 in annual revenue over 5,608 total transactions at an average purchase price of $155. Compared to the retailers on the national level, retailers in New York made 51.2% more in 2017 and processed 18.3% more transactions.

New York: 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 New York.

Notice the general trends of New York’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 New York and how they compare to the national trend.

New York: 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.

New York: 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 $2,966 in daily revenue which is 24.4% higher than their average day. Those same retailers process 17.8 transactions on a daily basis (15.9% more than their average day). And the consumers’ average purchase price increases 7.3% to $167.

All said, the months of November and December account for 20.8% of New York’s annual revenue generation and 19.4% of the year’s total transactions.

New York: 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 New York, local retailers typically average $3,352 in daily revenue between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s a 40.6% bump from their average day. Those same retailers process 19.8 transactions on a daily basis (a 29% lift compared to their average day), and the consumers’ average purchase price increases 9.1% to $169.

All told, the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas sales period accounts for 12.3% of the revenue and 11.3% of the year’s transactions for retailers in New York.

New York: 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.

New York: 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 New York, Black Friday was the 3rd-best revenue-generating day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $4,966 in daily revenue, which is 108.4% better than their average day.

BLACK FRIDAY IN NEW YORK

• DAY RANK: 3rd
• REVENUE: $4,966
• TRANSACTIONS: 28.7
• PURCHASE PRICE: $173

Compared to the national average retailer, those in New York made 60.9% more in daily revenue on Black Friday. They averaged 28.7 transactions, which is 10% more than the national average. Their average purchase price of $173 is 46.3% higher than other states.

New York: 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 NEW YORK

• DAY RANK: 28th
• REVENUE: $3,165
• TRANSACTIONS: 21
• PURCHASE PRICE: $151

For independent retailers in New York, Small Business Saturday was the 28th-highest revenue generating day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $3,165 in daily revenue, 21 transactions, and a purchase price of $151. Compared to retailers across the country, Small Business Saturday revenues were 58.1% above the national average in New York.

New York: 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 New York, Cyber Monday was their 1st-best day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $5,380 in daily revenue, 21.4 transactions, and an average purchase price of $252.

CYBER MONDAY IN NEW YORK

• DAY RANK: 1st
• REVENUE: $5,380
• TRANSACTIONS: 21.4
• PURCHASE PRICE: $252

Compared to the national average retailer, New York’s local retailers made 149.8% more in daily revenue on Cyber Monday. Their transactions were 47.2% above the national average, while their average purchase price was 69.7% higher than other states.

New York: 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 New York 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	149	$ 2,648.93	11%	14.52	-5%	$ 182.41	18%
Valentine’s Day	59	$ 2,876.94	21%	18.31	19%	$ 157.11	1%
President’s Day	220	$ 2,353.42	-1%	14.44	-6%	$ 162.94	5%
St. Patrick’s Day	174	$ 2,561.23	7%	16.18	5%	$ 158.28	2%
Easter Sunday	364	$ 508.79	-79%	7.45	-52%	$ 68.34	-56%
Cinco de Mayo	163	$ 2,613.49	10%	16.98	10%	$ 153.95	-1%
Mother’s Day	318	$ 1,366.04	-43%	13.70	-11%	$ 99.71	-36%
Memorial Day	181	$ 2,531.31	6%	14.38	-6%	$ 175.98	13%
Father’s Day	346	$ 1,089.04	-54%	11.57	-25%	$ 94.12	-39%
July 4th	347	$ 1,086.33	-54%	10.47	-32%	$ 103.74	-33%
Veteran’s Day	256	$ 2,105.47	-12%	16.91	10%	$ 124.51	-20%
Thanksgiving	316	$ 1,430.10	-40%	10.38	-32%	$ 137.77	-11%
Black Friday	3	$ 4,966.47	108%	28.66	87%	$ 173.30	12%
Small Business Saturday	28	$ 3,164.51	33%	20.96	36%	$ 150.99	-3%
Cyber Monday	1	$ 5,380.30	126%	21.37	39%	$ 251.82	62%
Christmas Eve	273	$ 1,936.50	-19%	17.54	14%	$ 110.40	-29%
Christmas Day	365	$ 262.47	-89%	3.96	-74%	$ 66.34	-57%
New Year’s Eve	315	$ 1,451.06	-39%	12.01	-22%	$ 120.80	-22%

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.