For over 100 years, the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s 2026 Cost of Doing Business Study has provided detailed financial information from hardware stores, home centers, lumber and building materials (LBM) outlets and paint and decorating outlets in the U.S. that independent retailers can use to benchmark their business. Now available for purchase, this comprehensive report is the ultimate resource for financial benchmarking in the independent home improvement industry.
“Taking part in gap analyses using the Cost of Doing Business Study has improved our operation’s bottom line by focusing on the matrices and indices that enhance pre-income tax profits,” says John Samore Jr., co-owner of Vermont Outlet True Value Hardware. “I compare our data with the high-performing retailers’ numbers presented in the study. I conduct a gap analysis four times a year, honing in on sales, cost of goods sold, gross profit, sales per square foot, customer count and sales per customer. As a result of the most recent gap analysis, I’ve taken steps to improve declining sales, one of the operation’s major issues.”
Gross Margin After Rebate/Dividends
- Hardware Stores:
- Typical: 42.7%
- High-Profit: 42.9%
- Home Centers:
- Typical: 33.0%
- High-Profit: 32.7%
- LBM Outlets:
- Typical: 30.2%
- High-Profit: 33.0%
- Paint Outlets:
- Typical: 38.2%
- High-Profit: 38.2%
Don't miss the opportunity to fortify your business strategy with data-driven insights. Visit yournhpa.org/2026-cost-of-doing-business-study to purchase your copy of the 2026 Cost of Doing Business Study today and take the first step toward a more successful future.
"I wish more companies knew and understood the intel gained from the Cost of Doing Business Study,” says Sherry Cothron, Coastal Nail & Tool Building Supply Center. “The results and data are priceless.”
