Questions
Noteworthy, Inc., produces and sells small electronic keyboards. Assume that you have the following information about...

Noteworthy, Inc., produces and sells small electronic keyboards. Assume that you have the following information about Noteworthy’s costs for the most recent month.

Depreciation on factory equipment $ 800
Depreciation on CEO's company car 160
Speakers used in the keyboard 1,190
Production supervisor's salary 2,200
Glue and screws used in the keyboards 260
Wages of persons who install the speakers 2,950
Cost to run an ad on local radio stations 695
Utilities for the factory 1,260
Personnel manager's salary 2,590
Wages of person who attaches legs to keyboards 2,090

Required:

1. Calculate the total product cost for Noteworthy.

2. Calculate the prime cost for Noteworthy.

3. Calculate the manufacturing overhead for Noteworthy.

4. Calculate the direct labor for Noteworthy.

5. Calculate the conversion cost for Noteworthy.

6. Calculate the total variable cost (with number of units produced as the activity) for Noteworthy.

7. Calculate the total fixed cost (with number of units produced as the activity) for Noteworthy.

In: Accounting

Noteworthy, Inc., produces and sells small electronic keyboards. Assume that you have the following information about...

Noteworthy, Inc., produces and sells small electronic keyboards. Assume that you have the following information about Noteworthy’s costs for the most recent month.

Depreciation on factory equipment $ 850
Depreciation on CEO's company car 190
Speakers used in the keyboard 1,170
Production supervisor's salary 2,270
Glue and screws used in the keyboards 260
Wages of persons who install the speakers 2,840
Cost to run an ad on local radio stations 625
Utilities for the factory 1,250
Personnel manager's salary 2,580
Wages of person who attaches legs to keyboards 2,130
1. Calculate the total product cost for Noteworthy.
2. Calculate the prime cost for Noteworthy.
3. Calculate the manufacturing overhead for Noteworthy.
4. Calculate the direct labor for Noteworthy.
5. Calculate the conversion cost for Noteworthy.
6. Calculate the total variable cost (with number of units produced as the activity) for Noteworthy.
7. Calculate the total fixed cost (with number of units produced as the activity) for Noteworthy.

In: Accounting

E5-14 Determining Cost Behavior, Preparing Contribution Margin Income Statement [LO 5-1, 5-5] Riverside Inc. makes one...

E5-14 Determining Cost Behavior, Preparing Contribution Margin Income Statement [LO 5-1, 5-5]

Riverside Inc. makes one model of wooden canoe. Partial information for it follows:

Number of Canoes Produced and Sold
455 605 755
Total costs
Variable costs $ 66,430 ? ?
Fixed costs 148,100 ? ?
Total costs $ 214,530 ? ?
Cost per unit
Variable cost per unit ? ? ?
Fixed cost per unit ? ? ?
Total cost per unit ? ? ?


Required:
1.
Complete the table. (Round your cost per unit answers to 2 decimal places.)   



3. Suppose Riverside sells its canoes for $501 each. Calculate the contribution margin per canoe and the contribution margin ratio. (Round your contribution margin to the nearest whole dollar and your contribution margin ratio to the nearest whole percent.)


4. Next year Riverside expects to sell 805 canoes. Complete the contribution margin income statement for the company.

In: Accounting

home / study / business / accounting / accounting questions and answers / Date Transaction #...

home / study / business / accounting / accounting questions and answers / Date Transaction # Of Units Unit Cost Total Cost 1/1 Beg Balance 150 $30 $4,500 1/24 Purchase ...

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Question: Date Transaction # of Units Unit Cost Total Cost 1/1 Beg Balance 150 $30 $4,5...

Date

Transaction

# of Units

Unit Cost

Total Cost

1/1

Beg Balance

150

$30

$4,500

1/24

Purchase

70

33

2,310

2/22

Sale

(100)

-

-

3/7

Purchase

90

35

3,150

4/10

Purchase

140

36

5,040

6/11

Sale

(100)

-

-

9/28

Purchase

50

38

1,900

12/4

Sale

(100)

-

-

Q. What is the ending inventory under a LIFO periodic inventory system?

a. $10,500

b. $9,610

c. $7,290

In: Accounting

The debits to Work in Process—Roasting Department for St. Arbucks Coffee Company for July 2016, together...

  1. The debits to Work in Process—Roasting Department for St. Arbucks Coffee Company for July 2016, together with information concerning production, are as follows:

    Work in process, July 1, 600 pounds, 40% completed $1,944*
    *Direct materials (600 X $2.8) $1,680
    Conversion (600 X 40% X $1.1) $264
    $1,944
    Coffee beans added during July, 19,000 pounds 52,250
    Conversion costs during July 22,512
    Work in process, July 31, 1,000 pounds, 40% completed ?
    Goods finished during July, 18,600 pounds ?

    All direct materials are placed in process at the beginning of production.

    a. Prepare a cost of production report, presenting the following computations:

    1. Direct materials and conversion equivalent units of production for July.
    2. Direct materials and conversion costs per equivalent unit for July.
    3. Cost of goods finished during July.
    4. Cost of work in process at July 31, 2016.

    If an amount is zero, enter in "0". For the cost per equivalent unit, round your answer to two decimal places.

    St. Arbucks Coffee Company
    Cost of Production Report-Roasting Department
    For the Month Ended July 31, 2016
    Unit Information
    Units charged to production:
    Inventory in process, July 1
    Received from materials storeroom
    Total units accounted for by the Roasting Department
    Units to be assigned costs:
    Equivalent Units
    Whole Units Direct Materials (1) Conversion (1)
    Inventory in process, July 1
    Started and completed in July
    Transferred to finished goods in July
    Inventory in process, July 31
    Total units to be assigned costs
    Cost Information
    Costs per equivalent unit:
    Direct Materials Conversion
    Total costs for July in Roasting Department $ $
    Total equivalent units
    Cost per equivalent unit (2) $ $
    Costs assigned to production:
    Direct Materials Conversion Total
    Inventory in process, July 1 $
    Costs incurred in July
    Total costs accounted for by the Roasting Department $
    Cost allocated to completed and partially completed units:
    Inventory in process, July 1 balance $
    To complete inventory in process, July 1 $ $
    Cost of completed July 1 work in process $
    Started and completed in July
    Transferred to finished goods in July (3) $
    Inventory in process, July 31 (4)
    Total costs assigned by the Roasting Department $

    b. Compute and evaluate the change in cost per equivalent unit for direct materials and conversion from the previous month (June). If required, round your answers to the nearest cent.

    Increase or Decrease Amount
    Change in direct materials cost per equivalent unit $
    Change in conversion cost per equivalent unit $

Check My Work1 more Check My Work uses remaining.

  1. The debits to Work in Process—Roasting Department for St. Arbucks Coffee Company for July 2016, together with information concerning production, are as follows:

    Work in process, July 1, 600 pounds, 40% completed $1,944*
    *Direct materials (600 X $2.8) $1,680
    Conversion (600 X 40% X $1.1) $264
    $1,944
    Coffee beans added during July, 19,000 pounds 52,250
    Conversion costs during July 22,512
    Work in process, July 31, 1,000 pounds, 40% completed ?
    Goods finished during July, 18,600 pounds ?

    All direct materials are placed in process at the beginning of production.

    a. Prepare a cost of production report, presenting the following computations:

    1. Direct materials and conversion equivalent units of production for July.
    2. Direct materials and conversion costs per equivalent unit for July.
    3. Cost of goods finished during July.
    4. Cost of work in process at July 31, 2016.

    If an amount is zero, enter in "0". For the cost per equivalent unit, round your answer to two decimal places.

    St. Arbucks Coffee Company
    Cost of Production Report-Roasting Department
    For the Month Ended July 31, 2016
    Unit Information
    Units charged to production:
    Inventory in process, July 1
    Received from materials storeroom
    Total units accounted for by the Roasting Department
    Units to be assigned costs:
    Equivalent Units
    Whole Units Direct Materials (1) Conversion (1)
    Inventory in process, July 1
    Started and completed in July
    Transferred to finished goods in July
    Inventory in process, July 31
    Total units to be assigned costs
    Cost Information
    Costs per equivalent unit:
    Direct Materials Conversion
    Total costs for July in Roasting Department $ $
    Total equivalent units
    Cost per equivalent unit (2) $ $
    Costs assigned to production:
    Direct Materials Conversion Total
    Inventory in process, July 1 $
    Costs incurred in July
    Total costs accounted for by the Roasting Department $
    Cost allocated to completed and partially completed units:
    Inventory in process, July 1 balance $
    To complete inventory in process, July 1 $ $
    Cost of completed July 1 work in process $
    Started and completed in July
    Transferred to finished goods in July (3) $
    Inventory in process, July 31 (4)
    Total costs assigned by the Roasting Department $

    b. Compute and evaluate the change in cost per equivalent unit for direct materials and conversion from the previous month (June). If required, round your answers to the nearest cent.

    Increase or Decrease Amount
    Change in direct materials cost per equivalent unit $
    Change in conversion cost per equivalent unit $

Check My Work1 more Check My Work uses remaining.

In: Accounting

Materials are added at the beginning of a production process, and ending work in process inventory...

Materials are added at the beginning of a production process, and ending work in process inventory is 40% complete with respect to conversion costs. Use the information provided to complete a production cost report using the weighted-average method.

Costs to Account For
Beginning inventory: materials $11,000
Beginning inventory: conversion 20,000
Direct material 46,200
Direct labor 75,000
Applied overhead 42,340
Total costs to account for $194,540
Units to Account For
Beginning work in process 4,000
Units started into production 22,000
Transferred out 19,000
Production Cost Report
Completed and transferred out
Ending work in process
Total units to account for
Work in process completion percent 100% 40%
Material Units Conversion Units Total Units
Completed and transferred out
Ending work in process
Total units to account for
Costs to account for Materials Conversion Total
Beginning work in process $ $ $
Incurred during the period
Total costs to account for $ $ $
Equivalent units
Cost per equivalent unit for department $ $ $
Transferred out costs $
End work in process: materials $
End work in process: conversion
End work in process: total
Costs to account for $

In: Accounting

Based on article below, Which distribution channel structure was adopted by IKEA in Russia? Please provide...

Based on article below, Which distribution channel structure was adopted by IKEA in Russia? Please provide evidence to support your answer.

(word limit: 250)

IKEA is a leading home furnishing company with around 340 stores in 40 countries, selling a range of some 10’000 articles and having more than 150’000 employees. The company was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad in Småland, a province in Southern Sweden where people are renowned for working hard, being thrifty and innovative, and achieving big results with small means. Today, the IKEA group is controlled by a private foundation and the company is thus not on the stock market. Ingvar Komprad’s innovative idea was to offer home furnishing products of good function and design at prices much lower than competitors by using simple cost-cutting solutions that did not affect the quality of products. This is a prominent philosophy at IKEA, which is now realizing its ambitious plans in Russia. IKEA opened its first store in Moscow, Khimki, in March 2000, followed by one more in Moscow in 2001, one in St Petersburg in 2003, and one in Kazan in March 2004. In 2012, IKEA had 14 stores in Russia and some of them in distant places such as Novosibirsk (2007) and the newest ones in Ufa (2011) and Samara (2012). All Russian operations are controlled as fully owned ventures by the IKEA group. IKEA is characterized by a strong brand based on its vision to create a better everyday life for many people. A set of explicit values is linked to the vision and plays a guiding principle in the strategy development. The values are the foundation of a culture called internally the ‘IKEA Way’, which is an expression of lKEA's history, the product range, the distribution system, the management style, the human resource idea, etc. Brand and cultural values coincide and affect the strategy, organizational processes product development and customer relationship. Thus the key value of cost-consciousness that lies at the heart of IKEA's flat-package concept dictates the necessity of global sourcing, define the customer relationship where 'IKEA does a half and customers do a half' and guides the product design, choice of material and logistics. The value of simplicity is reflected in the fast planning process, behaviours and routine governed by common sense, straightforward relationships with suppliers and customer as well as in the product development process. By linking vision and values, IKEA thus create a firm platform for entering a new market. In each new market lKEA enters it must recreate its company culture from scratch. In Moscow that included the replication of the store design and layout in accordance with the latest version of the existing store and extensive cultural education that was implemented by the team of experienced IKEA people. It was the overall company vision that guided the desire to establish business in Russia; most particularly, the impression that few companies in Russia focused on solving the needs of the many people by offering attractive products at reasonable prices. However, knowledge of the Russian market when IKEA initially decided to open its first store in Moscow was very scarce. No special market research was carried out before setting up the store. IKEA’s basic strategy is to neither adjust the style of products to local needs nor follow the competitors’ products development was central as the cornerstone in preserving the IKEA concept and image: ‘The range is supposed to be IKEA – unique and typical IKEA’. All products are divided into four major categories or styles – Scandinavian, Country, Modern, and Young Swede – which are clearly distinguished in all business areas across the store. One of the reasons why IKEA was successful with its standard product ranges in Russia was the fact that several of these IKEA ranges emphasis the modern style, which is very different from the traditional Russian style but is attractive and fresh for the Russian customers because it symbolizes change. An important factor in the market approach was to identify needs that are not fully recognized and to teach customers what IKEA is about. IKEA's retail proposition is based to a large extent on its Swedish roots and history, which is, in turn, very different from Russian traditions. Therefore, learning as much as possible about the local culture and customer needs was considered essential. For example, lKEA made home visits to customers to talk to people, see how they lived and used their homes and to identify potential needs and wants not fully acknowledged by customer themselves. Understanding local family conditions and furnishing traditions then provided a basis for the effective introduction and marketing of the IKEA concept. As exemplified by a store manager, the main priority for Russians is normal living costs; then comes the car and TV; and afterwards maybe a trip abroad. The idea of changing people's priorities by explaining to them that a beautiful home does not have to cost a fortune and they can afford both the wardrobe and a trip abroad is an essential leitmotif of the marketing campaigns in Russia. The importance of aligning the IKEA concept with the desired image was critical from the very beginning. The intention was to build an image with a low price brand that also guaranteed attractive and modern products of good quality. To achieve this, IKEA has faced many challenges such as: high customs fees; the requirement to purchase more from the local producers; difficulties in finding and developing suppliers in Russia; still low buying-power of Russian customers etc. For IKEA, it was critical to associate the low price with the desired significance. An increased capacity and bigger volumes by the Russian suppliers will allow the company to cut costs and reduce prices in Russia as well as to export the Russian made furniture to its other markets. As a matter of fact, IKEA prices are still very high for many ordinary Russians. For example, even in St Petersburg, the second-largest city, shopping power is, according to different estimate, 30 to 50 per cent lower than in Moscow, where an average purchase value equals that in Stockholm. But for Russian customers low price was very strongly related to unattractive products of poor quality, and one challenge has been to overcome this and explain how it is possible to offer good product at low prices. Therefore, it has also been an ambition to provide the Russian market with the best and most attractive IKEA products. Marketing communications became an important tool in creating the right image of IKEA in Russia. The ways to communicate the image were many: the outdoor product ads (price), image ads in the glossy magazine, TV (though IKEA has used this very restrictively due to high cost), and articles in the newspapers (press coverage has become very broad and quite positive towards the IKEA culture and philosophy). Another very important communication means in Russia is the buzz network or word-of mouth communication that works very effectively. In addition, IKEA had an open and friendly approach towards Russian journalists. This was in sharp contrast to most other large organizations. IKEA was completely open to the journalists and introduced them to the IKEA way and values by organizing press trips to Älmhult in Sweden to learn how the range is created. The result was that the press coverage of IKEA in Russia became much more positive. In the spring of 2009 IKEA thus had 11 stores operating in Russia. Most of these locations were mega mall shopping complex operated by IKEA. The shopping complex at the Tyoplyi Stan site in Moscow for example accommodate around 210,000 square meters of retail space and 240 retail outlets. The mega malls were treated as a separate business, and were an addition to IKEA's core concept. Normally, IKEA does not manage or develop shopping centres but this was considered necessary in Russia due to its lack of an existing structure of large branded stores and external as well as central shopping centres of a Western kind. Previously, many Russians have shopped for furniture as well as other products in outdoor markets or at smaller, local stores. From IKEA’s perspective developing a whole mega mall was part of attracting Russian customers to the stores. As a whole, IKEA has made substantial investments in Russia, and turnover is increasing rapidly. However, a major principle has been that monetary returns are needed to back up further expansion: ‘As soon as we make a profit, I can see at least ten years ahead when we will need all the money that is generated in Russia. So, the day when we will start to take out profit from Russia and use it in other countries is perhaps 15 years away'.

In: Operations Management

Based on article below, What internal and external factors impacted the pricing decisions of IKEA in...

Based on article below, What internal and external factors impacted the pricing decisions of IKEA in the Russian market?

(word limit: 250)

IKEA is a leading home furnishing company with around 340 stores in 40 countries, selling a range of some 10’000 articles and having more than 150’000 employees. The company was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad in Småland, a province in Southern Sweden where people are renowned for working hard, being thrifty and innovative, and achieving big results with small means. Today, the IKEA group is controlled by a private foundation and the company is thus not on the stock market. Ingvar Komprad’s innovative idea was to offer home furnishing products of good function and design at prices much lower than competitors by using simple cost-cutting solutions that did not affect the quality of products. This is a prominent philosophy at IKEA, which is now realizing its ambitious plans in Russia. IKEA opened its first store in Moscow, Khimki, in March 2000, followed by one more in Moscow in 2001, one in St Petersburg in 2003, and one in Kazan in March 2004. In 2012, IKEA had 14 stores in Russia and some of them in distant places such as Novosibirsk (2007) and the newest ones in Ufa (2011) and Samara (2012). All Russian operations are controlled as fully owned ventures by the IKEA group. IKEA is characterized by a strong brand based on its vision to create a better everyday life for many people. A set of explicit values is linked to the vision and plays a guiding principle in the strategy development. The values are the foundation of a culture called internally the ‘IKEA Way’, which is an expression of lKEA's history, the product range, the distribution system, the management style, the human resource idea, etc. Brand and cultural values coincide and affect the strategy, organizational processes product development and customer relationship. Thus the key value of cost-consciousness that lies at the heart of IKEA's flat-package concept dictates the necessity of global sourcing, define the customer relationship where 'IKEA does a half and customers do a half' and guides the product design, choice of material and logistics. The value of simplicity is reflected in the fast planning process, behaviours and routine governed by common sense, straightforward relationships with suppliers and customer as well as in the product development process. By linking vision and values, IKEA thus create a firm platform for entering a new market. In each new market lKEA enters it must recreate its company culture from scratch. In Moscow that included the replication of the store design and layout in accordance with the latest version of the existing store and extensive cultural education that was implemented by the team of experienced IKEA people. It was the overall company vision that guided the desire to establish business in Russia; most particularly, the impression that few companies in Russia focused on solving the needs of the many people by offering attractive products at reasonable prices. However, knowledge of the Russian market when IKEA initially decided to open its first store in Moscow was very scarce. No special market research was carried out before setting up the store. IKEA’s basic strategy is to neither adjust the style of products to local needs nor follow the competitors’ products development was central as the cornerstone in preserving the IKEA concept and image: ‘The range is supposed to be IKEA – unique and typical IKEA’. All products are divided into four major categories or styles – Scandinavian, Country, Modern, and Young Swede – which are clearly distinguished in all business areas across the store. One of the reasons why IKEA was successful with its standard product ranges in Russia was the fact that several of these IKEA ranges emphasis the modern style, which is very different from the traditional Russian style but is attractive and fresh for the Russian customers because it symbolizes change. An important factor in the market approach was to identify needs that are not fully recognized and to teach customers what IKEA is about. IKEA's retail proposition is based to a large extent on its Swedish roots and history, which is, in turn, very different from Russian traditions. Therefore, learning as much as possible about the local culture and customer needs was considered essential. For example, lKEA made home visits to customers to talk to people, see how they lived and used their homes and to identify potential needs and wants not fully acknowledged by customer themselves. Understanding local family conditions and furnishing traditions then provided a basis for the effective introduction and marketing of the IKEA concept. As exemplified by a store manager, the main priority for Russians is normal living costs; then comes the car and TV; and afterwards maybe a trip abroad. The idea of changing people's priorities by explaining to them that a beautiful home does not have to cost a fortune and they can afford both the wardrobe and a trip abroad is an essential leitmotif of the marketing campaigns in Russia. The importance of aligning the IKEA concept with the desired image was critical from the very beginning. The intention was to build an image with a low price brand that also guaranteed attractive and modern products of good quality. To achieve this, IKEA has faced many challenges such as: high customs fees; the requirement to purchase more from the local producers; difficulties in finding and developing suppliers in Russia; still low buying-power of Russian customers etc. For IKEA, it was critical to associate the low price with the desired significance. An increased capacity and bigger volumes by the Russian suppliers will allow the company to cut costs and reduce prices in Russia as well as to export the Russian made furniture to its other markets. As a matter of fact, IKEA prices are still very high for many ordinary Russians. For example, even in St Petersburg, the second-largest city, shopping power is, according to different estimate, 30 to 50 per cent lower than in Moscow, where an average purchase value equals that in Stockholm. But for Russian customers low price was very strongly related to unattractive products of poor quality, and one challenge has been to overcome this and explain how it is possible to offer good product at low prices. Therefore, it has also been an ambition to provide the Russian market with the best and most attractive IKEA products. Marketing communications became an important tool in creating the right image of IKEA in Russia. The ways to communicate the image were many: the outdoor product ads (price), image ads in the glossy magazine, TV (though IKEA has used this very restrictively due to high cost), and articles in the newspapers (press coverage has become very broad and quite positive towards the IKEA culture and philosophy). Another very important communication means in Russia is the buzz network or word-of mouth communication that works very effectively. In addition, IKEA had an open and friendly approach towards Russian journalists. This was in sharp contrast to most other large organizations. IKEA was completely open to the journalists and introduced them to the IKEA way and values by organizing press trips to Älmhult in Sweden to learn how the range is created. The result was that the press coverage of IKEA in Russia became much more positive. In the spring of 2009 IKEA thus had 11 stores operating in Russia. Most of these locations were mega mall shopping complex operated by IKEA. The shopping complex at the Tyoplyi Stan site in Moscow for example accommodate around 210,000 square meters of retail space and 240 retail outlets. The mega malls were treated as a separate business, and were an addition to IKEA's core concept. Normally, IKEA does not manage or develop shopping centres but this was considered necessary in Russia due to its lack of an existing structure of large branded stores and external as well as central shopping centres of a Western kind. Previously, many Russians have shopped for furniture as well as other products in outdoor markets or at smaller, local stores. From IKEA’s perspective developing a whole mega mall was part of attracting Russian customers to the stores. As a whole, IKEA has made substantial investments in Russia, and turnover is increasing rapidly. However, a major principle has been that monetary returns are needed to back up further expansion: ‘As soon as we make a profit, I can see at least ten years ahead when we will need all the money that is generated in Russia. So, the day when we will start to take out profit from Russia and use it in other countries is perhaps 15 years away'.

In: Operations Management

Based on Article below,Discuss the promotion mix for IKEA in Russia and its effectiveness. How would...

Based on Article below,Discuss the promotion mix for IKEA in Russia and its effectiveness. How would you improve it?

(word limit: 300)

IKEA is a leading home furnishing company with around 340 stores in 40 countries, selling a range of some 10’000 articles and having more than 150’000 employees. The company was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad in Småland, a province in Southern Sweden where people are renowned for working hard, being thrifty and innovative, and achieving big results with small means. Today, the IKEA group is controlled by a private foundation and the company is thus not on the stock market. Ingvar Komprad’s innovative idea was to offer home furnishing products of good function and design at prices much lower than competitors by using simple cost-cutting solutions that did not affect the quality of products. This is a prominent philosophy at IKEA, which is now realizing its ambitious plans in Russia. IKEA opened its first store in Moscow, Khimki, in March 2000, followed by one more in Moscow in 2001, one in St Petersburg in 2003, and one in Kazan in March 2004. In 2012, IKEA had 14 stores in Russia and some of them in distant places such as Novosibirsk (2007) and the newest ones in Ufa (2011) and Samara (2012). All Russian operations are controlled as fully owned ventures by the IKEA group. IKEA is characterized by a strong brand based on its vision to create a better everyday life for many people. A set of explicit values is linked to the vision and plays a guiding principle in the strategy development. The values are the foundation of a culture called internally the ‘IKEA Way’, which is an expression of lKEA's history, the product range, the distribution system, the management style, the human resource idea, etc. Brand and cultural values coincide and affect the strategy, organizational processes product development and customer relationship. Thus the key value of cost-consciousness that lies at the heart of IKEA's flat-package concept dictates the necessity of global sourcing, define the customer relationship where 'IKEA does a half and customers do a half' and guides the product design, choice of material and logistics. The value of simplicity is reflected in the fast planning process, behaviours and routine governed by common sense, straightforward relationships with suppliers and customer as well as in the product development process. By linking vision and values, IKEA thus create a firm platform for entering a new market. In each new market lKEA enters it must recreate its company culture from scratch. In Moscow that included the replication of the store design and layout in accordance with the latest version of the existing store and extensive cultural education that was implemented by the team of experienced IKEA people. It was the overall company vision that guided the desire to establish business in Russia; most particularly, the impression that few companies in Russia focused on solving the needs of the many people by offering attractive products at reasonable prices. However, knowledge of the Russian market when IKEA initially decided to open its first store in Moscow was very scarce. No special market research was carried out before setting up the store. IKEA’s basic strategy is to neither adjust the style of products to local needs nor follow the competitors’ products development was central as the cornerstone in preserving the IKEA concept and image: ‘The range is supposed to be IKEA – unique and typical IKEA’. All products are divided into four major categories or styles – Scandinavian, Country, Modern, and Young Swede – which are clearly distinguished in all business areas across the store. One of the reasons why IKEA was successful with its standard product ranges in Russia was the fact that several of these IKEA ranges emphasis the modern style, which is very different from the traditional Russian style but is attractive and fresh for the Russian customers because it symbolizes change. An important factor in the market approach was to identify needs that are not fully recognized and to teach customers what IKEA is about. IKEA's retail proposition is based to a large extent on its Swedish roots and history, which is, in turn, very different from Russian traditions. Therefore, learning as much as possible about the local culture and customer needs was considered essential. For example, IKEA made home visits to customers to talk to people, see how they lived and used their homes and to identify potential needs and wants not fully acknowledged by customer themselves. Understanding local family conditions and furnishing traditions then provided a basis for the effective introduction and marketing of the IKEA concept. As exemplified by a store manager, the main priority for Russians is normal living costs; then comes the car and TV; and afterwards maybe a trip abroad. The idea of changing people's priorities by explaining to them that a beautiful home does not have to cost a fortune and they can afford both the wardrobe and a trip abroad is an essential leitmotif of the marketing campaigns in Russia. The importance of aligning the IKEA concept with the desired image was critical from the very beginning. The intention was to build an image with a low price brand that also guaranteed attractive and modern products of good quality. To achieve this, IKEA has faced many challenges such as: high customs fees; the requirement to purchase more from the local producers; difficulties in finding and developing suppliers in Russia; still low buying-power of Russian customers etc. For IKEA, it was critical to associate the low price with the desired significance. An increased capacity and bigger volumes by the Russian suppliers will allow the company to cut costs and reduce prices in Russia as well as to export the Russian made furniture to its other markets. As a matter of fact, IKEA prices are still very high for many ordinary Russians. For example, even in St Petersburg, the second-largest city, shopping power is, according to different estimate, 30 to 50 per cent lower than in Moscow, where an average purchase value equals that in Stockholm. But for Russian customers low price was very strongly related to unattractive products of poor quality, and one challenge has been to overcome this and explain how it is possible to offer good product at low prices. Therefore, it has also been an ambition to provide the Russian market with the best and most attractive IKEA products. Marketing communications became an important tool in creating the right image of IKEA in Russia. The ways to communicate the image were many: the outdoor product ads (price), image ads in the glossy magazine, TV (though IKEA has used this very restrictively due to high cost), and articles in the newspapers (press coverage has become very broad and quite positive towards the IKEA culture and philosophy). Another very important communication means in Russia is the buzz network or word-of mouth communication that works very effectively. In addition, IKEA had an open and friendly approach towards Russian journalists. This was in sharp contrast to most other large organizations. IKEA was completely open to the journalists and introduced them to the IKEA way and values by organizing press trips to Älmhult in Sweden to learn how the range is created. The result was that the press coverage of IKEA in Russia became much more positive. In the spring of 2009 IKEA thus had 11 stores operating in Russia. Most of these locations were mega mall shopping complex operated by IKEA. The shopping complex at the Tyoplyi Stan site in Moscow for example accommodate around 210,000 square meters of retail space and 240 retail outlets. The mega malls were treated as a separate business, and were an addition to IKEA's core concept. Normally, IKEA does not manage or develop shopping centres but this was considered necessary in Russia due to its lack of an existing structure of large branded stores and external as well as central shopping centres of a Western kind. Previously, many Russians have shopped for furniture as well as other products in outdoor markets or at smaller, local stores. From IKEA’s perspective developing a whole mega mall was part of attracting Russian customers to the stores. As a whole, IKEA has made substantial investments in Russia, and turnover is increasing rapidly. However, a major principle has been that monetary returns are needed to back up further expansion: ‘As soon as we make a profit, I can see at least ten years ahead when we will need all the money that is generated in Russia. So, the day when we will start to take out profit from Russia and use it in other countries is perhaps 15 years away'.

In: Operations Management

Tempo Company's fixed budget (based on sales of 14,000 units) for the first quarter reveals the...

Tempo Company's fixed budget (based on sales of 14,000 units) for the first quarter reveals the following.

Fixed Budget
Sales (14,000 units × $220 per unit) $ 3,080,000
Cost of goods sold
Direct materials $ 350,000
Direct labor 616,000
Production supplies 378,000
Plant manager salary 150,000 1,494,000
Gross profit 1,586,000
Selling expenses
Sales commissions 112,000
Packaging 210,000
Advertising 100,000 422,000
Administrative expenses
Administrative salaries 200,000
Depreciation—office equip. 170,000
Insurance 140,000
Office rent 150,000 660,000
Income from operations $ 504,000


(1) Compute the total variable cost per unit.

Compute the total variable cost per unit.

Variable cost per unit

(2) Compute the total fixed costs.

Compute the total fixed costs.

Total fixed costs

(3) Compute the income from operations for sales volume of 12,000 units.

Income from operations at sales of 12,000 units

(4) Compute the income from operations for sales volume of 16,000 units.

Income from operations at sales of 16,000 units

In: Accounting