OIA Fields Financial Benchmarking Survey for Retailers

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the fielding of the Outdoor Retailer Financial and Operational Benchmarking Survey and is seeking retail participation.

Created in conjunction with input from an advisory panel of independent outdoor retailers, the OIA report will allow outdoor specialty retailers to compare gross margins, operating expenses, inventory turns and several other categories with similar retailers in the industry in terms of revenue base and category type (equipment, apparel, footwear, paddle, accessories, etc).

“In today’s economic environment, it is crucial to utilize financial benchmarks to quickly identify and rectify areas that need improvement,” commented Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA. “Outdoor Industry Association is committed to helping our retailers access the information they need to improve their businesses.”

Participation in the survey is FREE and absolutely confidential, and OIA membership is not required.

For completing the survey, participants will receive a complimentary copy of the Performance Analysis Report for the entire industry and a personalized Profit Improvement Profile for their company. The customized Profit Improvement Profile compares the participant’s firm with similar firms and provides suggestions for improving profitability. Survey participants will also receive free access to Profit Toolkit Online, a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet that provides simple tools to help plan and track improvement.

Profit Planning Group (PPG) will administer the survey and distribute results to participants. PPG has conducted over 100 profitability and compensation surveys annually for over 20 years – more than any other firm – without a breach of confidentiality. The survey information is used solely to create the report and will be permanently deleted once the data is coded into the system. OIA will never see individual data.

Retailers can access the survey on the Profit Planning Group website (http://www.profitplanninggroup.com/pages/questpp.shtml) and select “OIA retail” in either drop-down menu) or by faxing a request to Profit Planning Group at 303.444.9245. Submission Deadline is May 1, 2009.

About Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous, Outdoor University, and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer tradeshows. For more information go to http://www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.