Research report (Epicor commissioned IHL Group) analyzing how small and medium retailers (annual sales $2M–$500M) differ in technology use and outcomes. Surveyed retailers reported average 2024 sales growth of 8.1% and profit growth of 5.4%. The report contrasts 'winners' (≥10% sales or profit growth) and 'laggards' (flat/negative) and finds winners adopt cloud-based Retail Management Systems (RMS) and AI more often, prioritize customization, data management, AI integration, and customer experience, and face fewer inventory management issues (returns, theft, forecasting). AI is highlighted for merchandising, demand forecasting, and loss prevention.
Questions this document answers
8.1%
5.4%
<10 stores: 37%; 11–50 stores: 38%; >51 stores: 26%
Retailers with sales growth of 10% or higher in 2024
Retailers with profit growth of 10% or higher in 2024