Example of Seasonal Index:
Product: Ice Cream
Time Period: Monthly
Data:
| Month | Sales (in units) | Seasonal Index |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5,000 | 0.63 |
| February | 5,500 | 0.69 |
| March | 6,000 | 0.75 |
| April | 8,000 | 1.00 |
| May | 12,000 | 1.50 |
| June | 15,000 | 1.88 |
| July | 18,000 | 2.25 |
| August | 16,000 | 2.00 |
| September | 12,500 | 1.56 |
| October | 9,000 | 1.13 |
| November | 6,500 | 0.81 |
| December | 5,200 | 0.65 |
Seasonal Index:
The seasonal index is calculated by dividing the average sales for each month by the average sales for the entire year. In this example, the average sales for the year are 9,583 units.
Therefore, the seasonal index for January is:
Seasonal Index (January) = 5,000 units / 9,583 units = 0.63
Similarly, the seasonal indices for the other months are calculated.
Interpretation:
The seasonal index shows that ice cream sales are highest in the summer months (June, July, and August), and lowest in the winter months (January, February, and December). This is likely due to the weather, as people are more likely to consume ice cream when it is warm outside.