IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) — The NBDA recently published its annual Cost of Doing Business Study to help retailers analyze their financial and operational performance. The information is compiled from confidential financial data submitted by North American retailers during 2025.
The study gives retailers the opportunity to compare against similar industry businesses that lead to better-informed business decisions, according to the NBDA. Retailers can compare their business against stores by revenue size, geographic region, number of locations, store type, and the industry's highest-performing retailers.
Retailers who participated in the survey will receive their complimentary report from Industry Insights Inc., a nationally recognized research and consulting firm specializing in financial benchmarking and operating performance studies. It independently compiled, tabulated, and analyzed the data.
The report is available immediately as a downloadable PDF. The cost is $99 for NBDA members and $399 for non-members. As part of the NBDA's 80th anniversary celebration, new members can join the association throughout this month and receive 80% off the first year of a new NBDA membership by using promo code NBDA80.
"This report is one of the most valuable business tools we provide our members," said Heather Mason, NBDA executive director. "Too many retailers make important business decisions based on instinct alone. The Cost of Doing Business Study replaces guesswork with real industry data. It gives retailers the ability to see where they are outperforming their peers, where opportunities exist, and where they should focus their time and resources. If you're serious about building a stronger, more profitable bicycle business, this report should be on your desk and used for setting KPI standards."
Financial metrics include:
- Gross margin performance.
- Payroll and operating expenses.
- Net profitability.
- Inventory management.
- Service department performance.
- Occupancy costs.
- Expense ratios.
- Key financial benchmarks across comparable businesses.
The NBDA will host the webinar "How to Use the 2026 Cost of Doing Business Study" on Sept. 14 at 1 EDT. Industry experts Michael Forte (Bike Shop List) and Jay Townley (Human Powered Solutions) will guide attendees through the report, explain the key financial benchmarks, and demonstrate how retailers can use the data to identify opportunities for improved profitability and stronger business performance. Registration will be available on the NBDA website's Events Calendar.
