The Discount Drug Company has three major product lines: drugs cosmetics and housewares. The company provides the following sales and cost information
for the month of May for the store in total and for each separate product line (000 omitted):
Drugs
Cosmetics
Housewares
Total
Sales
$240
$300
$360
$900
Less: Variable expenses
160
180
200
540
CM
$80
$120
$160
$360
Less: Fixed costs
Salaries
$34
$40
$46
$120
Advertising
30
50
40
120
Other fixed costs
40
20
40
100
Total
$104
$110
$126
$340
Net income
$(24)
$10
$34
$20
The salaries represent wages paid to employees engaged directly in each product line area.
The advertising represents direct advertising of each product line and is avoidable if the line
is dropped. Other fixed costs which are all committed costs will continue and will split equally
between cosmetics and housewares.
1. Prepare a combined income statement for cosmetics and housewares on the assumption
that drugs are discontinued with no effects on sales of the other product lines.
2. On the basis of the analysis in question 1would you advise dropping the drugs line?