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 North South East Total Store Store Store Sales $4,500,000 $900,000 $1,800,000 $1,800,000 Cost of goods sold 2,475,000 550,000 935,000 990,000 Gross margin 2,025,000 350,000 865,000 810,000 Selling and administrative expenses: Selling expenses 847,000 246,400 322,500 278, 100 Administrative expenses 458, 890 121,000 173,400 163,600 Total expenses 1,305,000 367,400 495, 960 441, 700 Net operating income (loss) 5 720,000 $(17.400) $ 369, 1005368, 309 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 that are shown above is as follows: North Store South Store East Store Total Selling expenses: Sales salaries Direct advertising General advertising Store rent Depreciation of store fixtures Delivery salaries Depreciation of delivery equipment Total selling expenses $237,000 $ 63,800 $ 71,000 $102, 200 180,000 66,000 87,000 27,000 67,500 13,500 27,000 27,000 300,000 84,000 117,000 99,000 23,500 6,100 7,500 9,900 25,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 13,500 4,500 4,500 4,500 $847,000 $246,400 $322,500 $278, 100 *Allocated on the basis of sales dollars. North Store South Store East Store Total Administrative expenses: Store managers' salaries General office salaries' Insurance on fixtures and inventory Utilities Employment taxes General office-other Total administrative expenses 16,500 $ 92,500 $ 28,500 $ 37,500 $ 26,500 67,500 13,500 27,000 27,000 40,000 12,000 11,500 82,125 27, 355 25,800 28,970 63,375 17, 145 21,600 24,630 112,500 22,500 45,000 45,000 $458,000 $121,000 $173,400 $163, 600 "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 $12,500 per quarter. The general manager of the North Store would continue to earn her normal salary of $13,500 per quarter. All other managers and employees in the North 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 $5,500 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. . The company pays employment taxes equal to 15% of their employees' 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 $6.750 per quarter. Required: 1. How much employee salaries will the company avoid if it closes the North Store? 2. How much employment taxes will the company avoid if it closes the North Store? 3. What is the financial advantage (disadvantage) of closing the North Store? 4. Assuming that the North Store's floor space can't be sublessed, would you recommend closing the North Store? 5. Assume that the North Store's floor space can't be subleased. However , let's introduce three more assumptions. First, assume that if the North Store were closed, one-fourth of its sales would transfer to the East Store, due to strong customer loyalty to Superior Markets. Second, assume that the East Store has enough capacity to handle the increased sales that would arise from closing the North Store. Third, assume that the increased sales in the East Store would yield the same gross margin as a percentage of sales as present sales in the East store. Given these new assumptions, what is the financial advantage (disadvantage) of closing the North Store? Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required 1 Required 2 Required 3 Required 4 Required 5 How much employee salaries will the company avoid if it closes the North Store? Employee salanes Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required 1 Required 2 Required 3 Required 4 Required 5 How much employment taxes will the company avoid if it closes the North Store? Employment taxes Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required 1 Required 2 Required 3 Required 4 Required 5 What is the financial advantage (disadvantage) of closing the North Store? (Enter any disadvantages" as a negative value.) Financial advantage (disadvantage) Required 1 Required 2 Required 3 Required 4 Required 5 Assume that the North Store's floor space can't be subleased. However, let's introduce three more assumptions. First, assume that if the North Store were closed, one-fourth of its sales would transfer to the East Store, due to strong customer loyalty to Superior Markets. Second, assume that the East Store has enough capacity to handle the increased sales that would arise from closing the North Store. Third, assume that the increased sales in the East Store would yield the same gross margin as a percentage of sales as present sales in the East store. Given these new assumptions, what is the financial advantage (disadvantage) of closing the North Store? (Enter any disadvantages" as a negative value.) Show less Financial advantage (disadvantage)