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COGS: what it is and how to use it for profitability analysis

Updated: May 9, 2023



🧐 What exactly is Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)?

COGS refers to the cost of the products that a business sells to generate revenue💸


It includes the...

🧵🧶🌾 cost of materials +

👷‍♂️👷‍♀️ rect labor +

🚚💬💡any other expenses directly associated with producing or acquiring the goods that a company sells


COGS is typically reported on a company's income statement and is subtracted from the revenue to calculate the Gross Profit.


What costs should you consider?

Let's say a business manufactures and sells t-shirts 👕👚👘

To determine the COGS for a particular period, the business would add up the cost of all the materials used to make the t-shirts, as well as the direct labor costs associated with producing the t-shirts, and any other direct costs related to manufacturing and acquiring the t-shirts.


The business would then consider:

💲 Cost of raw materials used in production (🧵 Cotton🌱 Organic cotton + Thread + 🎨 Dyes and pigments + 🔘 Buttons and zippers etc...);

📦 Packaging materials (for shipping);

💲 Direct labor costs, such as wages and benefits ONLY for workers directly involved in production;

💲 Shipping and freight charges related to acquiring materials or delivering finished products;

💲 Supplies used in the production process;

💲 Rent, utilities, and maintenance costs associated ONLY with the production facility.


Let's assume that during the period, the business used $10,000 worth of materials from the relative inventory, incurred $5,000 in direct labor costs, and paid $1,000 in other direct costs like those mentioned before.

The COGS for that period would be $16,000 ($10,000 + $5,000 + $1,000).


Once the COGS is calculated, it can be subtracted from the revenue generated during the same period to calculate the gross profit.


💡 Why is COGS important for businesses?

COGS is a critical metric for businesses because it directly affects their profitability💰


🧮🕵️‍♂️ By accurately calculating and monitoring COGS, businesses can make illuminated decisions about...

💰 pricing +

📦 inventory management +

👷‍♂️ production processes.

It also helps businesses identify areas where they can reduce costs and increase profits💸


🤔 How can businesses use COGS wisely?

Businesses can use COGS wisely by analyzing the data to identify areas where they can reduce costs 📉

This could involve

💬 negotiating better prices with 🛍️ suppliers +

👨‍🏭 improving oduction processes

📦 or optimizing inventory management to avoid overstocking or understocking

📊 Additionally, businesses can use COGS to evaluate the profitability of individual products and make data-driven decisions about which products to continue selling and which to discontinue.


👀 What are the consequences of ignoring COGS?

🙅‍♂️ Ignoring COGS can lead to inaccurate financial reporting +

📦 poor inventory management +

📉 and ultimately, reduced profitability.

Without a clear understanding of COGS, businesses may struggle to decide about

💰 pricing

👷‍♂️ production volume

and other managerial and operational aspects.

🙅‍♂️ Ignoring COGS could also lead to overpricing or underpricing products, which could impact 😕 customer satisfaction and ultimately hurt the business's reputation.

Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to pay close attention to COGS and use the data wisely to optimize their operations and profitability 📈


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