January is more than just the start of a new year; it’s an opportunity for small business owners to pause, reflect, and make smarter decisions based on real data. If you’re using NCR Counterpoint, your point-of-sale system already holds valuable insights that can help guide inventory, purchasing, pricing, and growth decisions for the year ahead.
Reviewing the right reports in January allows you to learn from last year’s performance and start the new year with clarity and confidence. Here are five essential retail reports every small business owner should review in January.
Sales by Item Report
This report shows which products sold well, and which didn’t, over a selected period.
Why it matters in January:
- Identify top-performing items to prioritize reordering
- Spot slow-moving or dead inventory from the previous year
- Make informed decisions about discontinuing or discounting items
Using this report early in the year helps ensure your purchasing dollars are focused on products that actually move.
Inventory Valuation Report
The inventory valuation report provides a snapshot of the capital tied up in your inventory at a given time.
Why it matters in January:
- Understand your actual inventory investment after the holidays
- Support accurate accounting and financial planning
- Identify categories where inventory levels may be too high
This report is invaluable when working with your accountant and setting financial goals for the year.
Gross Margin / Profitability Report
Sales alone don’t tell the whole story; profitability matters more.
Why it matters in January:
- Identify items with strong sales but low margins
- Spot high-margin products that deserve more attention
- Adjust pricing strategies where needed
NCR Counterpoint’s margin reporting helps you focus on what truly contributes to your bottom line.
Year-over-Year Sales Comparison Report
Comparing this year’s performance to last year’s gives valuable context to your numbers.
Why it matters in January:
- Identify growth trends and declining categories
- Understand seasonal patterns
- Make smarter forecasts for upcoming months
This report is key for planning promotions, staffing, and purchasing throughout the year.
Vendor Performance Report
Your vendors play a significant role in your success, and January is a great time to evaluate your relationships with them.
Why it matters in January:
- Review which vendors deliver the best-selling products
- Identify vendors with slow-moving inventory
- Improve purchasing decisions and vendor negotiations
Optimizing vendor relationships can improve cash flow and reduce excess inventory.
Turning Reports Into Action
Running reports is only the first step. The real value comes from understanding what the data means and how to act on it. That’s where having the right support matters.
At Mainspring, we help small business owners get more from NCR Counterpoint, from setting up the right reports to training your team and helping you use the data to make confident business decisions.
January is the perfect time to turn last year’s data into this year’s growth. If you’re not sure which reports to run or how to interpret them, our team is here to help.
Contact Mainspring today to make sure your POS data is working for you, not sitting unused.
