Contemporary Trends sells paint and paint supplies, carpet, and wallpaper at a single-store location in suburban Baltimore. Although the company has been very profitable over the years, management has seen a significant decline in wallpaper sales and earnings. Much of this decline is attributable to the Internet and to companies that advertise deeply discounted prices in magazines and offer customers free shipping and toll-free telephone numbers. Recent figures follow. Paint and Supplies Carpeting Wallpaper Sales S190,000 $230,000 70,000 $114,000 Variable costs Fixed costs $161,000 S56,000 28,000 S142,000 S 48,000 37,500 22,500 $198,500 $78,500 S 31,500 S(8,500) Total costs Operating income (loss) Management is studying whether to drop wallpaper because of the changing market and accompanying loss. If the line is dropped, the following changes are expected to occur: The vacated space will be remodeled at a cost of $6,200 and will be devoted to an expanded line of high-end carpet. Sales of carpet are expected to increase by $60,000, and the line's overall contribution margin ratio will rise by five percentage points Contemporary Trends can cut wallpaper's fixed costs by 40 percent. Remaining fixed costs will continue o be incurred. Customers who purchased wallpaper often bought paint and paint supplies. Sales of paint and paint supplies are expected to fall by 20 percent. The firm will increase advertising expenditures by $12,500 to promote the expanded carpet line Required 1-a. Calculate the income or loss if Contemporary Trends closes its wallpaper operation. 1-b. Should Contemporary Trends close its wallpaper operation? O Yes O No 2. Assume that Contemporary Trends' wallpaper inventory at the time of the closure decision amounted to $11,850. How would you have treated this additional information in making the decision? This cost is important. The revenue generated from the sale of this inventory is relevant to the closure decision. O This cost should be ignored. The inventory cost is sunk. Regardless of whether the department is closed, Contemporary Trends will have a wallpaper inventory of $11,850. 3. What advantages might Internet- and magazine-based firms have over Contemporary Trends that would allow these organizations to offer deeply discounted prices-prices far below what Contemporary Trends can offer? (Select all that apply) These companies probably carry little or no inventory. When a customer places an order, the firm simply calls its suplnd acquires the goods. The result may be lower expenditures for storage and warehousing. These firms do not need retail space for walk-in customers. Internet- and magazine-based firms can conduct business globally. Contemporary Trends, on the other hand, Internet- and magazine-based firms have the advantage of point-of-purchase displays and personalized selling. Internet- and magazine-based firms could have access to means of financing that Contemporary Trends might not