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Superior Markets, Inc., operates three stores in a large metropolitan area. A se

ID: 2472751 • Letter: S

Question

Superior Markets, Inc., operates three stores in a large metropolitan area. A segmented absorption costing income statement for the company for the last quarter is given below:


Superior Markets, Inc.
Income Statement
For the Quarter Ended September 30


Total

North
Store

South
Store

East
Store

  Sales

$

3,120,000

$

760,000

$

1,240,000

$

1,120,000

  Cost of goods sold

1,723,600

425,600

682,000

616,000

  Gross margin

1,396,400

334,400

558,000

504,000

  Selling and administrative expenses:

      Selling expenses:

855,200

244,200

327,600

283,400

      Administrative expenses

418,460

116,480

163,620

138,360

      

      Total expenses

1,273,660

360,680

491,220

421,760

      

      Net operating income (loss)

$

122,740

$

(26,280

)

$

66,780

$

82,240

     

The North Store has consistently shown losses over the past two years. For this reason, management is giving consideration to closing the store. The company has asked you to make a recommendation as to whether the store should be closed or kept open. The following additional
information is available for your use:

a.

The breakdown of the selling and administrative expenses is as follows:

Total

North
Store

South
Store

East
Store

    Selling expenses:

      Sales salaries  

$

251,000  

$

74,000  

$

93,000  

$

84,000

      Direct advertising

193,000  

53,000  

74,000  

66,000  

     General advertising*

46,800  

11,400  

18,600  

16,800  

      Store rent

306,000  

87,000  

122,000  

97,000  

      Depreciation of store fixtures

19,400  

5,800  

7,000  

6,600  

      Delivery salaries

27,000  

9,000  

9,000  

9,000  

      Depreciation of delivery equipment

12,000  

4,000  

4,000  

4,000  

  Total selling expenses

$

855,200  

$

244,200  

$

327,600  

$

283,400  

*Allocated on the basis of sales dollars.

Total

North
Store

South
Store

East
Store

    Administrative expenses:

      Store management salaries

$

76,000  

$

23,000  

$

32,000  

$

21,000

      General office salaries*

62,400  

15,200  

24,800  

22,400  

      Insurance on fixtures and inventory

27,600  

8,100  

10,000   

9,500  

     Utilities

112,000  

33,000  

42,000   

37,000  

      Employment taxes

62,460  

18,180  

23,820  

20,460  

      General office —other*

78,000  

19,000  

31,000  

28,000  

    Total administrative expenses

$

418,460  

$

116,480  

$

163,620  

$

138,360  

*Allocated on the basis of sales dollars.

b.

The lease on the building housing the North Store can be broken with no penalty.

c.

The fixtures being used in the North Store would be transferred to the other two stores if the North Store were closed.

d.

The general manager of the North Store would be retained and transferred to another position in the company if the North Store were closed. She would be filling a position that would otherwise be filled by hiring a new employee at a salary of $14,200 per quarter. The general manager of the North Store would be retained at her normal salary of $15,200 per quarter. All other employees in the store would be discharged.

e.

The company has one delivery crew that serves all three stores. One delivery person could be discharged if the North Store were closed. This person’s salary is $6,000 per quarter. The delivery equipment would be distributed to the other stores. The equipment does not wear out through use, but does eventually become obsolete.

f.

The company’s employment taxes are 15% of salaries.

g.

One-third of the insurance in the North Store is on the store’s fixtures.

h.

The “General office salaries” and “General office—other” relate to the overall management of Superior Markets, Inc. If the North Store were closed, one person in the general office could be discharged because of the decrease in overall workload. This person’s compensation is $7,600 per quarter.

Assume that if the North Store were closed, at least one-fourth of its sales would transfer to the East Store, due to strong customer loyalty to Superior Markets. The East Store has enough capacity to handle the increased sales. You may assume that the increased sales in the East Store would yield the same gross margin as a percentage of sales as present sales in that store.


a.

Calculate the net advantage of closing the North Store. (Any reductions or outflows should be indicated by a minus sign.)

Gross margin lost if the north store is closed

Gross margin gained from the east store

Net operating (loss) in gross margin

Less costs that can be avoided if the north store is closed

Net Advantage (disadvantage) of closing the north store

b.

What recommendation would you make to the management of Superior Markets, Inc.?

__The North Store should be closed.

__The North Store should not be closed.

Superior Markets, Inc., operates three stores in a large metropolitan area. A segmented absorption costing income statement for the company for the last quarter is given below:

Explanation / Answer

a)

Gross margin lost if North store is closed = 334400

Gross margin gained from east store = 1/4th of Gross margin loss by North Stote

= 1/4 x 334400, = 83600

Net operating ( Loss) in gross margin = Loss - Gain

= 334400-83600, = 250800

Amounts that can be avoided if North Store is closed

Sales Salaries =74000

Direct Advertisement = 53000

Store Rent = 87000

Delivery Salaries = 6000

Store Management salaries =7800 ( 23000 total salary-15200 managers salary)

Insurance of Inventories= 8100 x 2/3 ( as 1/3 relates to fixture , remaining 2/3 relates to inventory)

= 5400

Utilities = 33000

General Overhead Salaries = 7600

Employment Tax = Salaries avoided x Employment Tax rate

Slaries avoided = 95400 ( 74000+6000+7800+7600) refer salary expense avoided above

Employment tax avoided = 95400 x 15% ,= 14310

Total Expenses that can be avoided = 288110

Loss of Margin = 250800

Net advantage of closing North Store = 288110-250800,= 37310

b) North store should be closed

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