Superior Markets, Inc. operates three stores in a metropolitan area. A segmented absorption costing income...

70.2K

Verified Solution

Question

Accounting

Superior Markets, Inc. operates three stores in a 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 $ 4,100,000 $ 860,000 $ 1,640,000 $ 1,600,000
Cost of goods sold 2,255,000 515,000 860,000 880,000
Gross margin 1,845,000 345,000 780,000 720,000
Selling and administrative expenses:
Selling expenses 839,000 242,400 320,500 276,100
Administrative expenses 438,000 117,000 167,400 153,600
Total expenses 1,277,000 359,000 487,900 429,700
Net operating income (loss) $ 568,000 $ (14,400 ) $ 292,100 $ 290,300

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:

The breakdown of the selling and administrative expenses is as follows:
Total North Store South Store East Store
Selling expenses:
Sales salaries $ 263,400 $ 69,600 $ 80,600 $ 113,200
Direct advertising 176,000 62,000 83,000 31,000
General advertising* 61,500 12,900 24,600 24,000
Store rent 280,000 80,000 113,000 87,000
Depreciation of store fixtures 21,500 5,700 7,100 8,700
Delivery salaries 24,300 8,100 8,100 8,100
Depreciation of delivery equipment 12,300 4,100 4,100 4,100
Total selling expenses $ 839,000 $ 242,400 $ 320,500 $ 276,100
*Allocated on the basis of sales dollars.
Total North Store South Store East Store
Administrative expenses:
Store management salaries $ 86,500 $ 26,500 $ 35,500 $ 24,500
General office salaries* 61,500 13,000 24,600 23,900
Insurance on fixtures and inventory 36,000 10,800 14,500 10,700
Utilities 86,145 27,620 29,480 29,045
Employment taxes 65,355 17,580 22,320 25,455
General officeother* 102,500 21,500 41,000 40,000
Total administrative expenses $ 438,000 $ 117,000 $ 167,400 $ 153,600
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 $12,000 per quarter. The general manager of the North Store would be retained at her normal salary of $13,000 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 persons salary is $5,100 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 companys employment taxes are 15% of salaries.
g. One-third of the insurance in the North Store is on the stores fixtures.
h.

The General office salaries and General officeother 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 persons compensation is $6,500 per quarter.

Requirement #1) How much employee salaries will the company avoid if it closes the North Shore?

Requirement #2) How much employee taxes will the company avoid if it closes the North Shore?

Requirement #3) What is the financial advantage (disadvantage) of closing the North Shore?

Requirement #4) Assuming that the North Shore's floor space can't be subleased, would you recommend closing the North Shore?

Requirement #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 the East Shore has enough capacity to handle the increased sales that would arise from closing the North Shore. 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)

Answer & Explanation Solved by verified expert
Get Answers to Unlimited Questions

Join us to gain access to millions of questions and expert answers. Enjoy exclusive benefits tailored just for you!

Membership Benefits:
  • Unlimited Question Access with detailed Answers
  • Zin AI - 3 Million Words
  • 10 Dall-E 3 Images
  • 20 Plot Generations
  • Conversation with Dialogue Memory
  • No Ads, Ever!
  • Access to Our Best AI Platform: Flex AI - Your personal assistant for all your inquiries!
Become a Member

Other questions asked by students