Apple Inc. operates retail stores globally. For July 2026, the company incurs the following operating costs across its retail network:

• Store Rent and Utilities: $20 million
• Employee Salaries and Benefits: $30 million
• Product Demonstration Costs: $5 million
• Customer Support Services: $10 million
• Security and Maintenance: $8 million

Required:

• Calculate the total operating costs for Apple Inc.'s retail segment.
• Determine the cost per store assuming 500 stores globally.
• Analyze the fixed and variable components of operating costs.
• Discuss the cost behavior of operating costs in the retail industry.
• Recommend strategies for Apple Inc. to manage operating costs effectively.