Smalltown Has Two Family-Owned Hardware Stores That Have Been in Business

question 10

Essay

Smalltown has two family-owned hardware stores that have been in business for years.Major Hardware decides that Smalltown would be a good place to build one of its superstores.Major opens,advertising unbelievably low prices;in fact,at below cost.Because Major owns stores nationally,it is able to keep prices extremely low until both of the family-owned stores have to go out of business because they cannot compete.After Major is the only hardware store in town,it raises its prices enough to make up for its former losses and to make some additional profit.Discuss this behavior in relation to antitrust law.

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Definitions:

Variable Selling Expenses

Costs that fluctuate in direct proportion to changes in sales volume, such as commissions and shipping charges.

Administrative Expenses

Costs related to the general operation of a business, such as salaries of executive personnel, accounting, and human resources.

Cash Disbursements

Represents the money flowing out of a company to cover expenses, including payments to suppliers and employees.

Predetermined Overhead Rate

A rate used to allocate manufacturing overhead to individual products or job orders, calculated before the year begins based on estimated costs and activity levels.