{
  "name": "Austin Retail store Profit Margin Benchmarks",
  "description": "Gross margin, net margin, cost-share, labor, and market-size benchmarks for independent retail stores in Austin, Texas. Ranges are planning benchmarks for owner-operated businesses, not forecasts.",
  "version": "2026 city benchmark edition",
  "city": "Austin",
  "state": "Texas",
  "industry": "Retail store",
  "reviewStatus": "screening",
  "coverage": "Independent retail store operators in Austin, Texas; national chains, franchise groups, and multi-unit operators excluded unless noted",
  "dataCompiledAt": "June 22, 2026",
  "sourcesVerifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "sourcePage": "https://hustlefin.com/benchmarks/retail/city/austin/",
  "citation": "HustleFin (2026). Austin Retail store Profit Margin Benchmarks. Retrieved from https://hustlefin.com/benchmarks/retail/city/austin/",
  "metrics": [
    {
      "key": "gross_margin_pct",
      "label": "Gross margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 34,
      "average": 42,
      "high": 51
    },
    {
      "key": "net_margin_pct",
      "label": "Net margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 2,
      "average": 4,
      "high": 6
    },
    {
      "key": "labor_cost_pct",
      "label": "Labor cost (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 11,
      "average": 14,
      "high": 18
    },
    {
      "key": "occupancy_cost_pct",
      "label": "Occupancy cost (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 5,
      "average": 8,
      "high": 10
    },
    {
      "key": "typical_revenue",
      "label": "Typical revenue",
      "unit": "text",
      "value": "$200,000 – $3,000,000/year for independent Austin retailers"
    }
  ],
  "labor": {
    "minimumWage": "$7.25/hr (federal/state)",
    "stateMinimumWage": "$7.25/hr (Texas follows federal)",
    "note": "Market retail wages run $14–17/hr due to tech-sector competition. No Texas state income tax."
  },
  "market": [
    {
      "label": "Estimated stores",
      "value": 5800
    },
    {
      "label": "Commercial rent range",
      "value": "$28–35/sqft (South Congress prime), $18–25/sqft (secondary corridors)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Sales tax (general)",
      "value": "8.25% combined (6.25% TX state + 1% Austin + 1% transit)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Special fees",
      "value": "No state income tax; Texas franchise tax may apply above revenue threshold"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label": "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — OEWS",
      "url": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/",
      "note": "Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics; the basis for the wage figures used in the labor snapshot."
    },
    {
      "label": "Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts",
      "url": "https://comptroller.texas.gov/",
      "note": "State sales tax, mixed-beverage gross receipts tax, and local rates."
    },
    {
      "label": "U.S. Census Bureau",
      "url": "https://www.census.gov/",
      "note": "Federal statistical baseline for population, business counts, and local market size."
    },
    {
      "label": "The Retail Owners Institute — Key Retail Benchmarks",
      "url": "https://retailowner.com/Retail-Benchmarks/Key-Retail-Benchmarks",
      "note": "Retail ratio benchmarks by NAICS segment (gross margin, inventory turnover, GMROI) built on RMA Annual Statement Studies data."
    },
    {
      "label": "City of Austin",
      "url": "https://www.austintexas.gov/",
      "note": "City permits, licensing, and local fee schedules."
    }
  ]
}