What does markup represent in retail pricing?

Markup represents the difference between the cost price (wholesale price) of a product and its selling price. It is a crucial element in retail pricing as it determines how much profit a retailer makes on each item sold. By calculating markup, retailers can set prices that cover their expenses and contribute to profits.

In retail, understanding markup allows merchants to develop pricing strategies that not only attract customers but also ensure that the costs of acquiring and maintaining inventory are met. Markup can be expressed as a percentage of the cost or the selling price and is vital for maintaining healthy profit margins, which is essential for the sustainability and growth of a retail business.

The other options refer to different concepts. The cost of goods sold pertains to the total cost incurred in producing the items sold, while total sales revenue represents the income generated from all sales before any deductions. The inventory turnover ratio measures the efficiency of inventory management rather than pricing strategy. Each of these concepts plays an important role in retail operations, but none directly define markup in the context of retail pricing.