Modern Limited. The Company Modern Limited is a family-owned and managed, department store situated in Breezyfield, a city in the North of England.

Per cent of floor space occupied by department

Alison has looked into the behaviour of these costs at different sales levels. Purchases of goods for resale in all departments varied proportionately with the level of sales. Additionally, due to the staffing policy of the company (see note on staffing policy below), so did the wages of non-management staff. Departmental expenses (for instance, wrapping paper for goods purchased, cleaning of staff uniforms) were also considered to vary with the level of sales, and there seemed to be a direct correlation between sales promotion costs in the departments and the increase in sales. Other costs totalling $400,000 (not included in the above schedule) were considered not to change with sales levels and some of these costs could not be directly related to individual departments.

Note on Staffing Policy

The company staffs all the Departments by using a core of full time staff to cover a minimum demand level and a flexible workforce of part time staff to work as and when required, with no guaranteed minimum or maximum number of hours for part-time staff.

Required

a) On the assumption that the costs for this trading period will not change significantly from those of the previous period, prepare marginal costing statements to show contributions for each department and contribution and profit for the Store overall on the basis of:

i) all departments remaining in operation;

ii) the closure of the Restaurant Department

b) Discuss briefly the financial and non-financial consequences of closing the Restaurant Department.

c) Identify the problems which alison would need to address in her new role as Management Accountant of Traditions Limited.

d) Explain the main factors which will influence the design and implementation of a Management Information System for Traditions Ltd.

e) How would you, as alison, approach the setting up of a budgetary planning and control system for the Store and what behavioural problems do you think you might encounter.