Do you calculate ROI for each product or category?
A fast ROI check shows which products earn back your costs quickly and which ones quietly drain your booth time.
Use a simple ROI formula to compare products.
The Empathy
It's easy to fall in love with a product line because it looks great on the table or customers compliment it, even if it ties up cash and takes a long time to sell through. When you restock for the next market, it's not always clear which items actually earned their keep. If you're guessing, you risk pouring time and money into the slow movers while skipping the best earners.
The Education
A quick ROI calculation makes the comparison clear. For each product or category, track revenue and direct costs (materials, packaging, and any per-item fees). Then use:
ROI = (Net Profit ÷ Direct Cost) × 100
Net Profit is simply revenue minus direct cost. Example: If a candle line brings in $450 and the supplies cost $150, net profit is $300. ROI = ($300 ÷ $150) × 100 = 200%. That means every $1 spent on supplies returns $2 in profit.
The Decision Use
Use ROI side-by-side to guide your product decisions. Categories with high ROI and steady sell-through deserve more shelf space and prep time. Low-ROI items can be repriced, bundled, or limited to special drops. If two products sell the same total revenue, choose the one with higher ROI to free up cash for your best performers.
With this habit, your next buying list becomes data-driven: restock high-ROI winners, test improvements on the laggards, and stop over-investing in items that don't pay you back.
Stop Guessing. Start Growing.
Stop waiting until the end of the month to see if you made money. Get instant clarity on every sale, even without Wi-Fi.
