Question: Customer Profitability
Louise Fairbern operates Interiors by Louise, an interior design consulting and window treatment fabrication business.
Her business is made up of two different distribution channels: a consulting business in which Louise serves two architecture firms (Adams and Betz), and a commercial window treatment business in which Louise designs and constructs window treatments for three commercial clients (Chatham, Dedham and Elm).
Louise wishes to evaluate the profitability of her two architecture-firm clients and three commercial window treatment clients, as well as evaluate the profitability of each of the two channels and the business as a whole. Information relating to the most recent quarter is:
|
Adams
|
Betz
|
Chatham
|
Dedham
|
Elm
|
Gross Revenue
|
$234 000
|
$188 800
|
$357 380
|
$147 840
|
$73 200
|
Direct Costs
|
147 000
|
117 200
|
218 400
|
115 720
|
57 040
|
The total overhead costs are $340 400. Louise estimates that 25% of her overhead costs relate directly to her architectural business, 40% directly to her window-treatment business, and the remainder are general in nature.
On the revenues above, Louise gave a 10% discount to Adams to lure this customer from a competitor and gave a 5% discount to Elm for advance payment in cash.