That doesn't tell you anything for two reasons: missed profit by mismanagement and operating vs net profit. Especially those companies.
First one. I have friends that work at every retailer you named. Every one of them intentionally leaves stuff empty on the shelf to get workers to do side jobs, esp displays, reports, abd various meetings. Walmart and Target start throwing money away towards the afternoon after they're mostly stocked. Kroger starts leaving stuff empty in the morning to do scans or "walks" as employees describe them. None of these intentional losses are in their annual reports or the media. Latter being because they're big customers of media.
Second part. The percentages you quoted are whats left after all their big spending. For instance, both Walmart and Kroger in my area are doing million dollar remodels. Although some are welcome, many changes are just moving shit around. Customers wouldve kept shopping regardless. So, that easily couldve stayed in final profit. They often give executives raises in 6-7 digit range. They have way more managers in stores and offices than Publix which is more profitable. Also, local Kroger uninstalled some registers and added more self-checkouts despite their profit going up just before that. Obviously, the two weren't connected.
So, the operating profit vs justifiable expenses is what to look at along with management practices which you get surveying employees. When management is bullshitting, the employees are often more than happy to tell you about it if you seem sympathetic and esp have your own stories. Once I knew it was intentional, I almost entirely boycotted Walmart and Kroger with me going to companies like Costco, Aldi and Piggly Wiggly who still stock shelves. Piggly Wiggly and Trader Joe's also still have plenty of checkers/baggers despite "tough market conditions" others report. And that Piggly Wiggly is in one of most cut-throat areas price-wise. Talking $0.89-0.99 cent gallons of milk at all stores at times with Aldi dropping eggs to $0.28. Fresh Market straight-up canceled their store mid-construction seeing how rough it was.
First one. I have friends that work at every retailer you named. Every one of them intentionally leaves stuff empty on the shelf to get workers to do side jobs, esp displays, reports, abd various meetings. Walmart and Target start throwing money away towards the afternoon after they're mostly stocked. Kroger starts leaving stuff empty in the morning to do scans or "walks" as employees describe them. None of these intentional losses are in their annual reports or the media. Latter being because they're big customers of media.
Second part. The percentages you quoted are whats left after all their big spending. For instance, both Walmart and Kroger in my area are doing million dollar remodels. Although some are welcome, many changes are just moving shit around. Customers wouldve kept shopping regardless. So, that easily couldve stayed in final profit. They often give executives raises in 6-7 digit range. They have way more managers in stores and offices than Publix which is more profitable. Also, local Kroger uninstalled some registers and added more self-checkouts despite their profit going up just before that. Obviously, the two weren't connected.
So, the operating profit vs justifiable expenses is what to look at along with management practices which you get surveying employees. When management is bullshitting, the employees are often more than happy to tell you about it if you seem sympathetic and esp have your own stories. Once I knew it was intentional, I almost entirely boycotted Walmart and Kroger with me going to companies like Costco, Aldi and Piggly Wiggly who still stock shelves. Piggly Wiggly and Trader Joe's also still have plenty of checkers/baggers despite "tough market conditions" others report. And that Piggly Wiggly is in one of most cut-throat areas price-wise. Talking $0.89-0.99 cent gallons of milk at all stores at times with Aldi dropping eggs to $0.28. Fresh Market straight-up canceled their store mid-construction seeing how rough it was.