GMROI (Gross Margin Return on Inventory) Calculator

Calculate GMROI to see how much gross margin you earn for every dollar invested in inventory and compare it with a target hurdle rate.

Total net sales in USD for the analysis window, after returns and discounts.
Total COGS in USD for the same period as net sales.
Average inventory investment at cost in USD, typically (beginning + ending) / 2.
Defaults to 2.00x if left blank. Use your merchandising hurdle rate.

GMROI is a merchandising efficiency metric and should be interpreted alongside sell-through, margin mix, and inventory turn.

Examples

  • Net sales $1,250,000, COGS $750,000, average inventory $200,000, target 2.0x ⇒ GMROI: 2.50x. Gross margin: $500,000.00 (40.00%). Target 2.00x: Above target by 0.50x.
  • Net sales $420,000, COGS $315,000, average inventory $175,000, target blank ⇒ GMROI: 0.60x. Gross margin: $105,000.00 (25.00%). Target 2.00x: Below target by 1.40x.

FAQ

What GMROI value is considered healthy?

Benchmarks vary by category, but many retailers target a GMROI between 2.0x and 4.0x to cover operating costs and capital return expectations.

Should I use retail or cost values?

Use cost values for inventory and gross margin so the metric reflects capital invested, not marked-up retail values.

How often should GMROI be recalculated?

Most teams review GMROI monthly or quarterly, especially after seasonal resets or major assortment changes.

Additional Information

  • Inputs should be recorded at cost in USD and aligned to the same reporting period.
  • Average inventory is typically the mean of beginning and ending inventory balances at cost.
  • GMROI is a unitless multiple; compare it against internal hurdle rates and category benchmarks.