1. What is the Comp Sales Formula?

The Comp Sales formula calculates the percentage change in sales between the current year and the previous year. It is a key metric used in retail and business analysis to measure growth performance over comparable periods.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Comp Sales formula:

Where:

• \( \text{This Year} \) — Current year sales in currency
• \( \text{Last Year} \) — Previous year sales in currency

Explanation: The formula calculates the relative change in sales as a percentage, providing insight into business growth or decline.

3. Importance of Comp Sales Calculation

Details: Comp Sales percentage is crucial for evaluating business performance, identifying trends, making strategic decisions, and comparing results against industry benchmarks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both This Year and Last Year sales amounts in currency format. Ensure Last Year value is greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a positive Comp Sales % indicate?
A: A positive percentage indicates sales growth compared to the previous year, while a negative percentage indicates a decline.

Q2: How is Comp Sales different from total sales growth?
A: Comp Sales measures performance of existing stores/units, excluding the impact of new openings or closures, providing a like-for-like comparison.

Q3: What time periods should be compared?
A: Typically, compare identical periods (e.g., Q1 this year vs Q1 last year) to account for seasonal variations.

Q4: Are there limitations to Comp Sales analysis?
A: It doesn't account for inflation, currency fluctuations, or extraordinary one-time events that may affect sales comparisons.

Q5: How often should Comp Sales be calculated?
A: Typically calculated monthly, quarterly, and annually to track performance trends over time.