National benchmark data for 21 retail categories. Use these figures to evaluate whether a retail location can support the rent — or to benchmark your portfolio against industry averages.
Benchmarks based on industry research and published reports. Updated quarterly.
Categories Tracked
21
Avg Sales/SF (All)
$411.43
Highest Sales/SF
$936.00
Beauty Supplies
Lowest Occ. Cost
3.5%
Supermarket
| Retail Category | Avg Sales/SF | Avg Occupancy Cost | Source | Analyze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apparel | $375.00 | 7.5% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Beauty Supplies | $936.00 | 5.0% | Datex Property Solutions (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Craft | $250.00 | 8.0% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Department Store | $200.00 | 6.0% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Dollar Store | $300.00 | 4.0% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Fast Food | $774.00 | 6.2% | Datex Property Solutions (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Fitness | $280.00 | 10.0% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Hair | $600.00 | 9.0% | Industry Survey (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Home Goods | $300.00 | 7.0% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Home Improvement | $350.00 | 5.5% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Movie Theater | $150.00 | 12.0% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Pet Supplies | $325.00 | 6.5% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Restaurant | $550.00 | 8.0% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Salon | $450.00 | 9.5% | Industry Survey (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Services | $300.00 | 8.5% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Shoes | $350.00 | 7.0% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Specialty Food | $400.00 | 7.5% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Specialty Restaurant | $600.00 | 8.5% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Specialty Retail | $325.00 | 7.8% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Sporting Goods | $275.00 | 6.8% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
| Supermarket | $550.00 | 3.5% | CoStar (Q3 2023 - Q2 2024) | Analyze Deal |
Use the average sales per square foot to estimate a tenant's revenue potential and set rent accordingly. The occupancy cost ratio helps you structure deals that tenants can sustain long-term, reducing turnover risk.
Before signing a lease, check whether the asking rent keeps your total occupancy cost within the industry benchmark for your category. If your occupancy cost exceeds the average, you may face margin pressure — especially in a sales downturn.
Occupancy cost is the total cost of occupying a retail space (base rent + NNN + percentage rent) expressed as a percentage of gross sales. It's the primary metric brokers and retailers use to evaluate whether a deal is financially sustainable.
Click “Analyze Deal” on any category to sign up, or try our Deal Cost Calculator to input your specific deal terms and see if the numbers work.
Data Methodology: Benchmark figures represent national averages compiled from industry research, publicly available reports, and published data from organizations including ICSC and Datex Property Solutions. These are estimates intended for general reference and deal evaluation. Actual performance varies by market, location, tenant, and economic conditions. For investment decisions, we recommend validating against local market data.