It's that time of year again. The EOFY rush is over, and now you finally have a moment to breathe. Before you switch off, review how your shop performed last year.
Do not just ask, "Did we make money?" Ask, "Where did the money come from?" And, just as importantly, "Where didn't it?"
Let Us Study the Stock
This One-Minute Report Tells You a Lot
Go to:
Reports → Sales - Stock → Dissection Family Class Period Sales Comparison
Compare the last two financial years:
Please make sure you put the right dates here.
- From: 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025
- To: 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
Select all stock to run the report for everything. I always recommend keeping settings simple for now until you get a handle on this report's complexity. It will give you a clear breakdown by department. Later, you can run more specialised reports.
What to Look For
Do not get lost in the columns. Focus on two figures for each department: quantity and profit.
- Quantity up, profit down: You may be discounting too much, or the margin in that department may be dropping.
- Quantity up, profit up: Good. That department is moving in the right direction. Do not stop there; look further into why it worked.
- Quantity down, profit down: That department needs a closer look.
- Quantity down, profit up: You may be selling fewer items, but you are selling higher-margin items.
What you need is a forward-looking business strategy to drive your business forward. This requires proactive, actionable execution like this on your part.
Unlike so many other POS systems, our system, I am very proud to say, gives you something you can use.
Written by:
Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.
