This project demonstrates an end-to-end analysis of a superstore's sales data, utilizing Power Query for data transformation, DAX for advanced calculations, and Data Modeling for structuring relationships between tables. The final visualizations are presented through interactive dashboards in Power BI.
A superstore retail business is a large, multi-department store that sells various products, including groceries, electronics, home goods, clothing, and more. These stores are often designed to be a one-stop shop for customers, offering a wide range of products and services under one roof. Superstores are typically larger than traditional retail stores and may have a larger product selection. Superstores are often part of a larger chain and have multiple locations in a region or country.
A new store manager needs your help to better understand his/her Data Operations Team. You are provided with part of the sales data that a Business Intelligence Analyst encounters daily. Design the dashboard to analyze and interpret the data to help provide valuable insights to the store manager.
A Superstore dataset typically includes information about the products, customers, and sales associated with a retail store. It may include the following columns:
Sl.No | Column Name | Column Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Order ID | Unique Identifier For the Order |
2 | Order Date | Date of the order placed |
3 | Ship Date | Date of the order shipped |
4 | Ship Mode | Priority Mode of Shipping (Same Day, First Class, Second Class, Standard Class) |
5 | Customer ID | Customer Unique Identifier |
6 | Customer Name | Name of the customer |
7 | Segment | Customer Segment (Consumer, Corporate, Home Office) |
8 | Postal Code | Address from the order was placed |
9 | Region | Name of the Region |
10 | Product ID | Unique Product Identifier |
11 | Category | Product Category |
12 | Sub-Category | Product Sub - Category |
13 | Product Name | Name of the Product |
14 | Quantity | Quantity of the product ordered |
15 | Discount | Discount % on the product |
16 | Buy Price | Buying price for each item |
17 | Price | Per Each Selling price for each item |
- A write-up of your analysis of the data.
- Please choose an appropriate visual for better readability and interpretation.
- Please avoid using jargon while explaining data and insights.
- Power Query : For data cleaning, transformation, and preparation.
- Data Modeling : Creating relationships between various tables like orders, products, customers, and regions.
- DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) : For custom measures, calculations, and KPIs to perform dynamic analysis.
- Power BI Visualizations : For creating interactive and visually appealing reports to deliver business insights.
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Total Sales : ₹ 2.33 million, with ₹ 923.13K coming from discounted sales.
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Yearly Sales : Sales steadily increased from ₹ 470,636 in 2014 to ₹ 750,471 in 2017.
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The overall growth rate from 2014 to 2017 is 47.45%.
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Year-over-Year (YoY) Growth : YoY growth has been positive except in 2017, which saw a 19.65% increase in sales compared to 2016. The largest YoY growth occurred between 2015 and 2016 at 29.68%.
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Month-over-Month (MoM) Sales : The dashboard shows fluctuating MoM sales, with extreme swings such as a 684.77% increase in March 2014, followed by significant drops. This indicates that sales are highly seasonal and likely driven by promotions or other factors.
- Sales by Region :
- West : ₹ 742,919 (highest)
- East : ₹ 695,776
- Central: ₹ 499,995
- South : ₹ 393,324
- California is the top-performing state with ₹ 471,811 in sales, followed by New York at ₹ 357,898.
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Sales by Category :
- Technology : Top category, generating the highest sales at ₹ 872,745.
- Office Supplies : ₹ 798,889
- Furniture : ₹ 660,381
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Sub-categories like copiers and appliances also play a significant role in total sales.
The largest portion of sales came from low cart sizes with over 50% discounts. This suggests customers are attracted to discounted items in smaller quantities.
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Profit by Category :
- Office supplies and technology are the most profitable categories, while furniture shows negative profits.
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Total profit is ₹ 34,822, with the West region contributing the most at ₹ 17,469.
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Copiers and Accessories are the top sub-categories in terms of profitability, with copiers generating over ₹ 33K in profit.
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Delivery Times :
- Standard Class : 5 days (longest average delivery time).
- Same Day : Less than 1 day (quickest).
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Order Patterns : Orders are highest on Monday and Friday, but drop significantly on weekends.
- Sales growth is driven by discounted products, especially in office supplies and technology.
- Geographic regions like the West and East dominate sales, with California being a critical market.
- Profit margins are higher in technology and office supplies, but profitability in furniture is concerning with a negative contribution.
- Delivery times and order patterns suggest opportunities for improving operational efficiency, particularly in reducing delivery times for standard shipping.
NOTE : These insights provide a comprehensive overview of the store's performance across sales, profit, and operational metrics.
- Leverage Discounted Sales :
Since a significant portion of sales comes from discounted products, especially small cart sizes, it may be beneficial to continue offering strategic discounts, particularly for office supplies and technology, which perform well in this regard.
- Focus on High-Performing Regions :
The West and East regions, especially California, are your strongest markets. Consider focusing marketing and promotions in these regions to maximize growth potential.
- Improve Profitability in Furniture :
Furniture shows negative profitability. It may be wise to assess costs, pricing strategies, or product demand within this category to turn it around.
- Optimize Shipping Times :
Standard Class shipments have the longest delivery time (5 days). Streamlining this process or offering incentives for faster shipping options could improve customer satisfaction and boost sales.
- Target Order Peaks :
Since orders peak on Mondays and Fridays, you can consider running promotions or marketing campaigns aligned with these days to capitalize on customer buying behavior.
- Seasonal and Promotional Planning :
With high fluctuations in Month-over-Month sales, planning for key seasonal promotions or events where sales spike (like March and November) could help smoothen sales volatility.