US retail corporations' liquidity in 2000-2010: dynamics before and during the crisis

In his article on the basis of a statistical data set collected from more than 170 Annual reports the author performs a comprehensive analysis of the main liquidity ratios for the largest US retail trade corporations in 2000-2010. The positions of retail leaders are compared; conclusions on the most robust business models are made. The author outlines some features of liquidity dynamics (namely the working capital to sales ratio) that can be used as indicators for general economic forecasting. The practical value of the research is stressed by its universal character - the large scope of Russian retail companies to which a similar approach can be applied.

USA, retail trade, liquidity, economic crisis, business model