{
  "name": "Los Angeles Retail store Profit Margin Benchmarks",
  "description": "Gross margin, net margin, cost-share, labor, and market-size benchmarks for independent retail stores in Los Angeles, California. Ranges are planning benchmarks for owner-operated businesses, not forecasts.",
  "version": "2026 city benchmark edition",
  "city": "Los Angeles",
  "state": "California",
  "industry": "Retail store",
  "reviewStatus": "screening",
  "coverage": "Independent retail store operators in Los Angeles, California; 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/los-angeles/",
  "citation": "HustleFin (2026). Los Angeles Retail store Profit Margin Benchmarks. Retrieved from https://hustlefin.com/benchmarks/retail/city/los-angeles/",
  "metrics": [
    {
      "key": "gross_margin_pct",
      "label": "Gross margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 37,
      "average": 45,
      "high": 54
    },
    {
      "key": "net_margin_pct",
      "label": "Net margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 0,
      "average": 3,
      "high": 5
    },
    {
      "key": "labor_cost_pct",
      "label": "Labor cost (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 12,
      "average": 16,
      "high": 20
    },
    {
      "key": "occupancy_cost_pct",
      "label": "Occupancy cost (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 7,
      "average": 10,
      "high": 13
    },
    {
      "key": "typical_revenue",
      "label": "Typical revenue",
      "unit": "text",
      "value": "$250,000 – $4,500,000/year for independent LA retailers"
    }
  ],
  "labor": {
    "minimumWage": "$17.28/hr (LA city, no tip credit)",
    "stateMinimumWage": "$16.50/hr (California state, 2025)",
    "note": "Some LA County sub-cities set higher minimums. California state income tax on owner profit."
  },
  "market": [
    {
      "label": "Estimated stores",
      "value": 31000
    },
    {
      "label": "Commercial rent range",
      "value": "$28–40/sqft (West Hollywood/Santa Monica/Arts District), $18–28/sqft (Valley/Eastside)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Sales tax (general)",
      "value": "9.5% (6% CA state + 3.5% LA County)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Special fees",
      "value": "California state income tax on owner profit; sub-city wage variations"
    }
  ],
  "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": "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 Los Angeles",
      "url": "https://www.lacity.gov/",
      "note": "City business tax registration, permits, and wage standards."
    }
  ]
}