Category Sales Report Overview
The "Category Sales Report" lets you view sales by category for one or multiple locations. You can create, schedule, and print custom reports according to your requirements.
Products with similar features can be grouped into a single category. As a sales manager or a super-admin, you need to check on the product's category-specific sales if you want to manage any promotional offers for the items in the specific categories.
FTx Cloud POS provides a category-specific sales report where you can check the sales data for the different categories assigned to the specific products/items. As a sales manager/super-admin user, you can check the sales data of the various categories of sold items with the cost-retail price calculation and profit margins.
In this technical document, you will see:
- How to check the category-wise sales report
- How to apply the customer filter options to filter the category sales report data
- Grouping options for obtaining category sales data in a specific way
1. Reaching "Category Sales Report"
- Step 1: Log into Control Center
- Step 2: Choose Point of Sale
- Step 3: Choose Reports
- Step 4: Choose Sales Reports
- Step 5: Choose Category Sales
Figure 1.1 below will help you understand the navigation better:
Figure 1.1
When you click "Category Sales," the "Category Sales Report" screen will open with relevant filtering and sorting options, as Figure 1.2 shows.
Figure 1.2
The report data will be empty initially. You must choose a date range, select the appropriate filters, and click "Generate Report" to generate a report.
2. Generating the "Category Sales Report"
Please follow the steps below to generate the "Category Sales Report" that meets your requirements:
- Navigate to the Category Sales Report screen.
- Select the date range and click "Generate Report" to view the Category Sales Report for the selected date range.
- You can use the filters Filter Items (Custom Filters), Group By Location, Include In Sales Reporting, Group By, and Store and Location Groups as per your requirements. You can use the multiple filters to be more specific about the report. Please refer to point 3. Report Filter Options to learn more about these filters.
- Click "Generate Report" whenever you change your selection in any field to view the updated report.
- When you click the "Generate Report" button after selecting the date range, the system will show the category sales records, as Figure 2.1 shows.
Category: This column shows the category name.
Sales Count: This column shows transactions that fall under a specific category.
Qty Sold: This column shows how many items were sold in each category.
Total Retail: This column shows the total retail amount for the sold quantity in the category.
Discounts: This column shows the discounts applied to items in the category during the transaction.
Adj Retail: This column shows the adjusted retail value after deducting the discount from the total retail. [Adj Retail= Total Retail - Discount]
Avg Retail: This column shows the average retail amount for a single item quantity by dividing the total sold qty. [Avg Retail= Total Retail / Qty Sold]
Total Cost: This column shows the total applicable cost to the department's sold quantity.
Buydowns: This column shows the buydown amount applied to the items in each category, if any.
Adj Cost: This column shows the adjusted cost after deducting the buy-down value from the total cost. [Adj Cost = Total Cost - Buy-down]
Avg Cost: This column shows the average cost for a single item quantity by dividing the total sold qty. [Avg Cost = Total Cost / Qty]
$ Margin: This column shows the total margin of the sold quantity after calculating the buydowns and discounts. [$ Margin = Adj Retail- Adj Cost]
% Mgn: This represents the margin that gains or losses in percentage. % Margin will calculate the margin against the total retail in percentage. [% Mgn = ($ Margin*100) / Adj Retail]
3. Report Filter Options
FTx Cloud POS lets you view the Category Sales Report records according to your preferences using various filter options. You can configure the report with any single filter or combination of multiple filters. The filters are highlighted in Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1
1: Report Filters:
- Filter Items: This lets you select the report data based on six parameters: Department, Category, Manufacturer, Tag, Vendor, and Department Tag. Point 3.1 Filter Items (Custom Filters) explains the further details.
- Date Range & Presets: This filter lets you select the report's time interval. Point 3.2 Date Range & Presets explains further details.
- Group By Location: This filter lets you view the records organized by locations or location groups. Point 3.3 Group By Location explains the further details.
- Include in Sales Reporting: This filter lets you filter the category sales records based on three parameters: All Departments, Only Include in Sales Reporting, and Not Include in Sales Reporting. Point 3.4 Include In Sales Reporting explains the further details.
- Group By: Use the Group By drop-down to view the depth of the category. Point 3.5 Group By Category Depth explains the further details.
2: Store and Location Filter: This filter lets you view the report for the selected stores (locations) or location groups. Point 3.6 Filter Store and Location Groups explains further details.
3.1 Filters Items (Custom Filters)
The Filter Items drop-down lets you select the report data using specific parameters. It has two selection options:
- Show All: The system selects "Show All" by default. It considers all parameters to generate the Category Sales Report for the selected locations. The "Manage" button is disabled for this option.
- Custom Filter: This option enables you to generate the report by selecting specific parameters such as Department, Category, Manufacturer, Tag, Vendor, and Department Tag. Once you choose Custom Filter, the system will enable the "Manage" button to set up the filters.
Please follow the steps below to create and apply a custom filter:
- Select the Custom Filter option in the Filter Items drop-down and click the "Manage" button.
Figure 3.1.1
- The Manage Filters screen will appear, as Figure 3.1.2 shows.
- 1: Manage Filters drop-down: Select the saved custom filters from the Manage Filters drop-down (if any) and click "Apply" to apply the saved custom filter. The system will redirect you to the Category Sales Report home screen. Click "Generate Report" to generate the report for the selected filter. Clicking the "Manage Filters" button will also open the list of saved custom filters.
- 2: Parameter Tabs: You will see six tabs: Department, Category, Manufacturer, Tag, Vendor, and Department Tag. Select the required tab, i.e., "Department," to create or apply a custom filter specific to the selected departments.
- 3: Search: Use this Search box for a specific result.
- 4: Match All Filters drop-down: Use the Match All Filters filter to decide whether or not the Manage Filters screen data matches all applied filters.
- 5: Results: Here, you see the relevant list of data on the Manage Filters screen for the selected tab. For example, if you have chosen the "Department" tab, it will show the list of all departments. You can search for a specific department in the "Search" bar.
- 6: Select the required departments by checking the appropriate checkboxes.
- 7: Click the green Arrow button to move the selected records to "Selected List."
- The Manage Filters screen will look like the one in Figure 3.1.3.
1: When the Category Sales Report is generated, you can decide whether to include or exclude the selected parameters.
- Include: If you select Include, the system will include all the specified parameters to generate the Category Sales Report.
- Exclude: If you select Exclude, the system will exclude all the specified parameters to generate the Category Sales Report.
2: Click the "Clear Selection" button to remove the whole selection. To remove any record from the list, click the Remove (x) icon.
3: Apply or save the custom filter:
- Click the "Apply" button to apply the selected parameters. The system will navigate you to the Category Sales Report home screen. Click "Generate Report." The system will generate reports based on your selection.
- Click the "Save Filters" button to save the custom filter for future use. Point 3.1.1 Save and Manage Custom Filter explains the details.
3.1.1 Save & Manage Custom Filter
You can also save the configured custom filters for future use.
By clicking the "Save Filters" button, a pop-up will appear to allow you to enter the name of the custom filter.
You can also save the configured custom filters for future use.
- Click the "Save Filters" button shown in Figure 3.1.3.
- The Name pop-up will appear, as shown in Figure 3.1.1.1.
- Enter the name of the custom filter and click "OK."
Figure 3.1.1.1
- You can use the saved custom filter whenever you need it and delete it when you don't need it anymore. Open the Manage Filters screen again and use the steps shown in Figure 3.1.1.2 according to your requirements.
Figure 3.1.1.2
1: Saved Filters drop-down: The saved custom filters will appear in the drop-down selection. You can select the required custom filter from the list for the Category Sales Report.
2: Manage Filters: You can check and manage the filters by clicking the "Manage Filters" button. You will see the listing of the saved custom filters in a pop-up by clicking on it.
3: The Filter Name list shows the list of all saved custom filters. Click on the filter's name to select it.
4: You can click "Select Filter" or "Delete."
- Select Filter: Use the "Select Filter" button to select any filter from the list. Click on the filter's name, and then click on the "Select Filter" button. The system will close the "Manage Saved Filters" pop-up screen. Click the "Apply" button on the Manage Filters screen. The system will navigate you to the Category Sales Report home screen. Click "Generate Report" to generate the report for the selected filter.
- Delete: Use the "Delete" button to remove the no longer required filter from the list. Click on the filter's name and then the "Delete" button. A warning message will appear. Click "OK" to delete the filter.
- Similarly, you can filter and set up the records for other tabs (parameters).
To generate the category sales report with the specific data you've selected, apply a selection or choose a saved filter, then click the "Generate Report" button. The selected filter details are available under the "Selected Filters (All)" label, as Figure 3.1.1.3 shows.
Figure 3.1.1.3
3.2 Date Range & Presets
Please follow the steps below to select the report's required date range and time interval:
- Click inside the Start Date field. The drop-down calendar will appear as shown in Figure 3.2.1.
- Select the specific date and time. You can also manually enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
- Click inside the End Date field and follow the same process.
- After making the appropriate selections for other filters, click on "Generate Report."
Presets
Use the Presets drop-down to select the specific duration/interval, i.e., Today, Yesterday, This Week, Last Week, etc., to generate the report as shown in Figure 3.2.2.
- Please click on the required timeframe and click "Generate Report." The system will generate and show the report based on your selection.
3.3 Group By Location
The Group By Location filter lets you view records segregated by locations or location groups. By default, the system selects "None." Click the Group by Location drop-down highlighted in Figure 3.3.1 to change it.
Figure 3.3.1
1. By Locations: If you select "Location," the system will display records grouped according to locations, as Figure 3.3.2 shows.
Figure 3.3.2
2. By Location Groups: If you select "Location Group," the system will display records grouped according to location groups.
- The Include Location Group(s) drop-down will appear when you select "Location Group," as Figure 3.3.3 shows. Please select the required locations from it.
- The system will sort the report based on location groups, and the Include Location Group(s) drop-down will show the selected location groups, as Figure 3.3.4 shows.
Figure 3.3.4
The report concludes with the totals for each category and the overall total.
The Location Groups are a collection of locations, and they can be managed from the Manage Location Groups option in POS -> Maintenance -> Locations.
3.4 Include In Sales Reporting
The Include In Sales Reporting drop-down lets you filter the category sales records based on three parameters: All Departments, Only Include in Sales Reporting, and Not Include in Sales Reporting.
What is "Include In Sales Reporting?"
"Include In Sales Reporting" is a preference available at the department level, managed by the "Include In Sales Reporting" button.
- If you activate it, the system will include the department in sales reporting.
- If you deactivate it, the system will not include the department in sales reporting.
You can activate or deactivate this preference from the respective "Options" tab in "Departments." ("Departments" >> Add/edit a department>> the "Options" tab >> the "Include In Sales Reporting" button). Please refer to "Departments" to learn more about this preference.
- Click the Include In Sales Reporting drop-down.
- As Figure 3.4.1 shows, the drop-down has three options: All Departments, Only Include in Sales Reporting, and Not Include in Sales Reporting. The system selects "All Departments" by default.
Figure 3.4.1
- Choose "Only Include in Sales Reporting" to display the category sales records with the activated "Include in Sales Reporting" option at the department level.
- Choose "Not Include in Sales Reporting" to see the category sales records where the "Include in Sales Reporting" option is deactivated at the department level.
Figure 3.4.2 below is an example category sales report generated by choosing "Only Include in Sales Reporting."
Figure 3.4.2
3.5 Group By Category Depth
Use the Group By drop-down to view the category's depth. By default, the system selects "None." Please follow the steps below to select the category's depth.
- Click the Group By drop-down. Select "Group By Category."
Figure 3.5.1
- The Category Depth drop-down will appear, as Figure 3.5.2 shows. Make appropriate selections in the other filters and click "Generate Report."
Figure 3.5.2
- Below is a sample report indicating how the system shows the depth of the category:
Figure 3.5.3
3.6 Filter Stores & Location Groups
The Store and Location Group filter lets you view the report for selected stores (locations) and location groups. Please follow the steps below to apply the Store & Location Group filter.
- Click the "No Filter Selected" button in the top right, highlighted in Figure 3.6.1.
Figure 3.6.1
- The Manage Filters screen will appear, as Figure 3.6.2 shows.
- 1: Manage Filters drop-down: The drop-down shows the list of saved custom filters, if there are any. Select the required filter from the drop-down and click the "Apply" button to apply it. The "Manage Filters" button next to this drop-down helps you open the Manage Saved Filters screen. Point 3.6.1 Save and Manage Location Filters explains more details.
- 2: Parameter Tabs: You will see two tabs: Store and Location Group. Select the required tab, e.g., "Store," to create or apply a custom filter specific to the selected stores.
- 3: Use this search box to search for a specific location.
- 4: Use this drop-down to view the results (stores or location groups) based on Pricebook Zone.
- 5: Use this drop-down to view the results (stores or location groups) based on three parameters: All Locations, Only Active, and Only Deleted.
- 6: Results: This section shows the list of selected parameters. For example, if you have selected the Store tab, it will show a list of stores.
- 7: Selection Checkboxes: You must select the required stores by ticking the checkbox.
- 8: Arrow: Click the green Arrow button to move the selected stores to the Selected List.
- The Manage Filters screen will look like the one in Figure 3.6.3.
- 1: Click the "Clear Selection" button to remove the whole selection. To remove any record from the list, click the Remove (x) icon.
- 2: Click "Apply" to apply the selection. You can click the "Save Filters" button to save the custom filter for future use. Point 3.6.1 Save and Manage Location Filter explains the details.
3.6.1 Save and Manage Location Filters
You can also save the configured custom filters for future use.
- Click the "Save Filters" button shown in Figure 3.6.3.
- The Name screen will appear as shown in Figure 3.6.1.1.
- Enter the name of the custom filter and click "OK." A success message will appear, and the custom filter will be saved.
- You can see this custom filter listed in the Manage Filters drop-down.
- You can use the saved custom filters from the Manage Filters drop-down whenever needed, and you can delete them when you no longer need them. Open the Manage Filters screen again and use the steps shown in Figure 3.6.1.2 according to your requirements.
1: Saved Filter Drop-Down: All saved custom filters will appear in the Saved Filter drop-down. You can select the required custom filter and click "Apply."
2: Manage Filters: Use the "Manage Filters" button to view and manage the saved filters. The Manage Saved Filters pop-up screen will appear when you click the "Manage Filters" button.
3: Filter Name: The Filter Name list shows all saved custom filters. Click on a filter's name to select it.
4: You can click "Select Filter" or "Delete."
- "Select Filter": Click on the filter's name, then click the "Select Filter" button to select any filter from the list.
- "Delete": Use the "Delete" button to remove the filter no longer required from the list. Click on the filter's name and then the "Delete" button. A warning message will appear. Click "OK."
- Similarly, you can filter the records by selecting the location group(s). When you set up the filters for locations (stores) and location groups, you can see the details chosen by hovering the mouse cursor over the Filter button, as shown in Figure 3.6.1.3.
4. Scheduling a Report
FTx Cloud POS supports report automation. You can configure a report and schedule it. The system will send the scheduled report to the indicated email IDs as per defined frequencies (Daily, Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, etc.)
5. Printing/Exporting a Report
You can print or export any report according to your requirements. When you use the Print function, the system creates and opens the report's PDF file in a new tab. You can download the soft copy or print the paper copy according to your requirements.
6. Manage Favorites
FTx Cloud POS allows quick access to the reports you need to view frequently through "Favorite Reports." You can save a report as a favorite and manage all your favorite reports from any of the report screens using the "Manage Favorites" button.