In the private$-$label operating benchmarks section on p$.7$ of each issue of the FIR, the industry$-$low, industry$-$average, and industry$-$high benchmarks for the margins over direct costs $($as explained in the Help section for this same page$)$ should be interpreted as representing

the amount per pair of private$-$label footwear sold that flowed into a company's retained earnings account $($or the amount deducted in the case of a negative number$).$

the gross profit earned $($or lost$--$in the case of a negative number$)$ on each pair of privatelabel footwear sold in the various regions.

the seller's net revenue gain $($or loss $--$ in the case of a negative number$)$ on each pair of private$-$label footwear sold to a given region's chain retailers.

the net profit earned $($or lost $--$ in the case of a negative number$)$ on each pair of privatelabel footwear supplied to a given region's chain retailers.

how much per private$-$label pair sold in efech region was available to $(1)$ help cover any of a seller's branded expenses in the region not covered by branded revenues and $(2)$ increase the seller's operating profits in the region.