Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,576 posts, read 81,167,557 times
Reputation: 57813
Having run a business myself for 16 years, averaging 37% profit, I would guess about 10%. I didn't have to pay lobbyists, TV advertising, lawyers, or buy off politicians with campaign contributions like the big corporations do.
It depends on the business. Retail is very small, typically less than 5% net profit margin. I'm fairly certain Walmart is below 4%.
I spent many years in the furniture business. We shot for a 30% to 35% net profit. A grocery store with a huge volume, may be as low as 1 1/2%. In a department store, the different departments will have a widely fluxuating profit for each department. Some would be small percentages, and some others quite high.
Without cheating and looking it up (and without checking anyone else's answer - don't let your eyes wander!), just off the top of your head...
What is the Average Profit Margin for US Corporations?
You may surprise yourself.
Post your answer, if you dare to be honest.
I will post the answer tomorrow, and explain why this is an important question.
I think it's in the neighborhood of 5% with significant variance among sectors, e.g. oil and supermarkets run on thin margins. Big Oil makes up for it in volume.
edit: dammit i posted before reading responses and now i see that everyone posted a percentage. oh well.
i think the average publicly traded corporation has a yearly revenue of about $10 billion. but after they pay their taxes, employees, heat, electricity, real estate taxes, water, internet and fone, sprockets,... that number would dwindle down to a profit of about a billion ?
Last edited by stanley-88888888; 04-03-2015 at 05:20 PM..
Without cheating and looking it up (and without checking anyone else's answer - don't let your eyes wander!), just off the top of your head...
What is the Average Profit Margin for US Corporations?
You may surprise yourself.
Post your answer, if you dare to be honest.
I will post the answer tomorrow, and explain why this is an important question.
Depends on what line of business they're in.
I know that foodservice and trucking companies have very thin margins.
I speculate that professional corporations (law firms, accounting firms, dental practices, etc.) probably have a bit higher profit margin, but that's only speculation as I've never worked for any of those.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
