2022 BDO Retail CFO Outlook Survey

2021 was a year of retail recovery.

Following steep declines in 2020, the prediction of a V-shaped recovery came to fruition.

The challenge for retail CFOs came from shifts in customer demand, from brick-and-mortar to e-commerce. Now retailers face high demand as labor shortages and supply chain slowdowns exacerbate their ability to keep up. Survival will depend on the strength of retailers’ digital infrastructure.

As they get back on their feet, retailers are pursuing a gradual approach to growth, according to the 2022 BDO Retail CFO Outlook Survey. All eyes will be on how effectively they can reverse early signs of distress, alleviate supply chain issues and innovate.

Challenges lie ahead, but retail CFOs are confident their organizations will overcome them—and some will even thrive.

Dig into the survey findings to uncover how retail CFOs are tackling the industry’s most important issues

"The phrase ‘hindsight is 20/20’ takes on a new meaning for the retail industry. In 2022, the story of retail will be about how retailers move forward with a fresh perspective on their strengths and vulnerabilities, even as COVID-19 becomes endemic. Cash remains tight and stockpiling it might be tempting, but retail CFOs realize now is the time to double down on investments that deliver on customer demands, guard against future disruption, and spur growth."

NATALIE KOTLYAR
Partner and National Leader of BDO’s Retail and Consumer Products Practice

Methodology

BDO’s 2022 Retail CFO Outlook Survey polled 100 retail industry CFOs with revenues ranging from $250 million to $3 billion in October 2021. The survey was conducted by Rabin Research Company, an independent marketing research firm, using Op4G’s panel of executives.

Company Type

50% Public

50% Private

Regions of Operations

73% U.S. only

27% U.S. and other areas

Annual Revenue

40% $251M-$500M

32% $501M-$750M

16% $751M-$999M

7% $1B-just under $2B

4% $2B-$3B

1% Over $3B

Subsector

22% Consumer electronics & appliances

16% General merchandise

13% Health

13% Grocery

10% Department store

9% Apparel & footwear

9% Furniture

8% Sporting goods